is this Lam's 2nd hat trick for the season?!

Nah the other was four

Canes backs being totally let down by a forward pack unable to do their core roles. Prediction Knock on by lions, means they get a line out at 5m

@machpants said in Hurricanes v Lions:

Canes backs being totally let down by a forward pack unable to do their core roles. Prediction Knock on by lions, means they get a line out at 5m

Oh and a ref happy with lions being metres offside

@rancid-schnitzel said in Hurricanes v Lions:

RR isn't that good is he? No way he should be an AB.

I think Hansen will select Codie Taylor, Nathan Harris and Liam Coltman for the June series. I can't see RR making the squad as he is far from his 2017 form.
Andrew Makalio was impressive against the Rebels. He had been fantastic for Ta$man in the Mitre 10 Cup so it is no surprise for me. It's certainly too early for him but I can imagine him as a possible bolter for the EOYT.

I'd hope Coles would be back for EOYT, so he'll be there, esp as we play some easier games. But man the Canes forwards need a long hard look at themselves about core work at the ruck an scrum, they were tripe. Even an average effort would have meant a Try Bonus and much bigger win.

What a shit last 20 mins.
Canes replacement front row sucked arse. Lam certainly can finish a chance. Unlucky not to get 4 after that kick ahead.
I think Jules must have been taking Lam's mojo pills for the last few weeks. He looked strong and busy and took a few good high balls. Great sign.

Not sure Lam is making the ABs just yet. Ioane and Naholo are ahead of him for the left wing and i don't think he suits the type of player they want for the right.
He would be competing with Savea for the next power winger if they need to bring someone in though.

BB kicks better in howling wind. Maybe they should install big fans at every ground in NZ and turn them on when he lines one up.

@pukunui I don't buy the argument that Lam couldn't play right. He's a much more rounded player than Naholo, great in the air, great vision and not a ball hog, plus has a surprisingly effective boot.

I can't see how the selectors can ignore him but I fear it might happen. Unless they just wanted to see if NMS and Savea could change their minds in camp and they've already decided to select him? NMS looks even more average than Savea at the moment...

Wasn't that TJ Perenara they were talking to in the intro who said he's hoping to play club rugby next weekend?

All Blacks are surely going to pick five outside backs of whom four will be Ben Smith, Jordie, Rieko and Naholo.

Fifth one - well, I can't see them picking Israel because he's barely touched the ball this year. It's too early for Mataele or Alaimalo. I can't see them going back to Savea - so it's basically a shootout between Lam and NMS.

Two very different wingers, but I can't really see why you wouldn't pick Lam for the squad.

@chris-b you counting DMac as a 10 now?

@bones said in Hurricanes v Lions:

@chris-b you counting DMac as a 10 now?

Aren't you?

He's a certainty as a 10. They'll be sitting him on the bench to cover first five and fullback.

@chris-b I guess he'd have to be number 3 at 10 if you take Sops out. Wouldn't be on my bench tough.

Well when you spell it out like that, with logic and reason, maybe he will be there. I had forgotten they have played Naholo on the right and Lam would be a similar style.

Can't see Duffie or Havili being selected at this stage given their form and the fact that Smith and Jordie are back.

@bones Nor mine actually - I'd be inclined to play a back three of Rieko, Ben Smith and Jordie and there's your fullback cover - meaning you can put Mo'unga on the bench.

That will probably happen for at least one test - but, probably the third!

I’m watching on replay, and she’s half time.

Canes played a lot of rugby, should be ahead by more.

WHO THE HELL IS THIS REF?
He’s good for sweet f all.

Lions playing off their feet at rucks, playing at the ball, slowing it down, what ever the hell they like really. Canes try it and they get nailed.

Christie isn’t a super quality 9. Fucking muppet.

@gunner said in Hurricanes v Lions:

I’m watching on replay, and she’s half time.

Canes played a lot of rugby, should be ahead by more.

WHO THE HELL IS THIS REF?
He’s good for sweet f all.

Lions playing off their feet at rucks, playing at the ball, slowing it down, what ever the hell they like really. Canes try it and they get nailed.

Christie isn’t a super quality 9. Fucking muppet.

Yup

@gunner said in Hurricanes v Lions:

I’m watching on replay, and she’s half time.

Canes played a lot of rugby, should be ahead by more.

WHO THE HELL IS THIS REF?
He’s good for sweet f all.

Lions playing off their feet at rucks, playing at the ball, slowing it down, what ever the hell they like really. Canes try it and they get nailed.

Christie isn’t a super quality 9. Fucking muppet.

And he has red hair.

I really don't see how Ardie is still in consideration either. Time to move on. He's bloody lazy on defence and just an absolute glory hunter. He's only there if it's "on".

@bones said in Hurricanes v Lions:

I really don't see how Ardie is still in consideration either. Time to move on. He's bloody lazy on defence and just an absolute glory hunter. He's only there if it's "on".

Im wondering if Taufua gets a chance at Ardie's expense. The 7 cover is needed less with Todd around. Ardie's career to date has been pretty disappointing. After tge RWC I had predicted that both Saveas would be the stars of that Lions tour. Both were pretty much a flop. Hopefully the Ioanes can become what they should have as a pair.

@pukunui I can't think of a lazier openside. Taufua would be worth a shot after the disappointment of Savea. No reason why Ioane couldn't play 7 as well as Ardie too.

Well, got the job done in the end. Mixed some high quality periods of play with some utterly braindead stuff - that's been a bit of a trend this year and I can't help but think we'll be punished in our remaining away derby matches for the dumb stuff. We basically gifted the Lions their first two tries, very frustrating.

I'm usually pretty relaxed about the reffing as it's a tough job, but bloody hell I felt like I was watching a different game to him at times. Some baffling calls, against both sides to he fair.

Our wingers were the MOTMs. Lam is such a classy finisher, makes it look easy at times when he has no space - that screams test quality to me, give that man a black shirt. Jules also had a very strong game, not back in AB contention but happy to see him playing well again.

Was disappointed we couldn't ram home he advantage in the final 20. Eves was getting utterly muched in the scrums and we just made silly mistakes.

Oh... I think this game probably answered any questions about RR. Really not a smart player. The more pressure is applied the more he crumbles... Will be interesting to see what happens come playoff time.

@bones said in Hurricanes v Lions:

I really don't see how Ardie is still in consideration either. Time to move on. He's bloody lazy on defence and just an absolute glory hunter. He's only there if it's "on".

I'm expecting that they'll pick six loose forwards - though it's possible that they'd pick five or even seven if they decided to pick Fifita as the fourth locking option. But assuming it's six, then the only absolute cast iron certainty is Sam Cane - though they'll pick the other five from six (maybe seven) contenders.

I think Fifita is highly likely, especially since he played the last couple of tests. Squire should get picked as long as he's fit and has a game or two under his belt.

If you assume those three, then I'd choose Todd, Ioane and Whitelock - and that would be two each of openside, blindside and No. 8 - with a fair bit of crossover utility.

Other contenders would include Ardie and Taufua and just maybe Frizzell, but I think it's too early for him. Might be someone else I'm overlooking? Ardie's realistically the only one with much shot of pushing out one of these six - if he would get picked ahead of Todd, or if the selectors really wanted his test experience on the bench.

However, if Squire isn't fit (and I am correct), it becomes a lot more interesting. To retain the balance, you'd theoretically pick another 8/6, which should be Taufua or Frizzell (or someone else) ahead of Ardie.

Savea did an awful tackle on malcom marx last weekend. A dangerous clean out and Marx is out for 6 weeks....

see below....

@wairau Someone has gone to some significant effort with that, but to be honest it shows me bugger all.

The first seven frames are all lead up work.

What's important is how we get from frame seven (with Marx's left leg being lifted) to frame nine where he's (presumably) lying there injured.

Frame 8 shows someone's leg sticking out at a strange angle. To be honest I'm wondering how the hell Ardie managed to get Marx's legs there - if indeed they're Marx's.

But more I'm wondering why the guy who compiled this didn't expend his efforts between frames 7 and 9!

@chris-b or a gif! That picture is fucken hopeless.

@toddy Yeah - it's the critical one and he's made it among the smallest.

@chris-b Sure it's not @Wairau that made it?

@nepia If it is, I look forward to him taking my criticisms on board and releasing a new and improved version.

Red lines are fine but I far prefer arrows otherwise I don't know what I'm meant to be looking at.

@nepia ...and omitting the two spears sticking in Riccitelli's back.

That's like something out of "The Omen".

lol at the comediennes above
Yeah, not pretty, sorry, if I have time I will revert. Till then, it's sufficient. Took all of 2 minutes to make. The lines point out the 2 protagonists. Yes, 1 is Marx's leg sticking straight up. For me, dangerous, perhaps yellow card or citing. Others? I googled Marky Marx and pro-writers are blaming him being exhausted for the injury-they're blind-but no one replayed the incident.

all the people talking about frame by frame on Moody -so I spent a few minutes revisiting this video. I am interested in other's opinions about fair punishment for Savea. Too late, I know, but just for the debate.
To avoid mess/page confusion, I deleted the earlier images...

@Wairau Im unsure what you are claiming.

It wasn't a lift nor was it a neck roll. What was the illegality? Savea held Marx and went to round. Marx looks to have eventually gone off his feet and rolled over the ruck. His injury was caused by trying to stay up with one leg planted while his body was being pulled elsewhere.

Well, I am not sure if it is illegal-seems very dangerous and directly caused an injury, I am seeking other's opinions. Savea has tackled him. Not lifted him per se, but has in effect tipped him and purposefully caused him to do a somersault and dangerously dumped him on his head.

I can't for the life of me see where he has been 'dumped' or landed on his head.
If I was defending a citing here I would be arguing that injury was caused by Marx fighting against the tackle. It was an accident.

I think I said dumped on his head, landed on his back. Picture 4 shows him heading down (then camera zooms out). Picture 5 shows he has completely flipped over. I can show the inbetweens, but logically they show him flipped upside down-from a distance. Would you like to see that?

@crucial I actually slowed down my video, to allow me to go frame by frame, and it is a neck roll. Lam is on the other side of Marx and Savea. Both Lam and Savea grab Marx around the neck and the added weight of Lam helps tip Marx downwards to the side, then Savea lifts him up and completes the flip over, onto his head and back. Clear.

@crucial said in Hurricanes v Lions:

If I was defending a citing here I would be arguing that injury was caused by Marx fighting against the tackle. It was an accident.

and you would be wrong....

Edit: Marx is out of the series Boks Vs England, which is a shame.

@wairau But its rugby, a contact sport. Injuries happen. Why is always a witch hunt