@MN5 said in Lions vs Canes:

@Bones said in Lions vs Canes:

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

@Bones said in Lions vs Canes:

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

@MN5 said in Lions vs Canes:

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

@Bones said in Lions vs Canes:

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

@sparky said in Lions vs Canes:

@Canes4life

Disagree. BB was shattered by the time of November tests last year. He played too much Rugby last year.

I am glad that the world's best player is having his schedule managed to give him the best possible chance to shine in the RWC knockouts.

Totally agree. He's been overused by the Canes for a few years now. Only when you see him live do you appreciate how much ground he covers in a game. His form may fluctuate but his effort and commitment can never be faulted. An extended period of rest, even if due to injury, is good for the ABs later on in the year.

Ok so to be fair, who's form and commitment to the ABs do you fault and why?

Extend middle finger.

Andrew Merhtens hasn't played for the ABs in years.

I was merely telling Bones the Troll to go f himself. To think I nearly gave myself to him.

Troll? I was quite interested to hear.

Dammit Bones it wasn't a dig against any other player. God I dodged a bullet.

Oh ok, I thought you were saying others don't have his commitment so I was interested to see who.

Vaea Fifita said he didn't like hitting rucks. That's not showing much commitment.

to be fair, he said:
"I like six because I can use my athleticism to do what I can do on the outside, rather than just stay tight and do the hard work like running into a brick wall and getting your body tired. Then you can't do anything"

It's pointing out there's a tradeoff between the tight work, and getting wide. I'm pretty relaxed about his effort and commitment in the Black Jersey

@nzzp said in Lions vs Canes:

@MN5 said in Lions vs Canes:

@Bones said in Lions vs Canes:

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

@Bones said in Lions vs Canes:

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

@MN5 said in Lions vs Canes:

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

@Bones said in Lions vs Canes:

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

@sparky said in Lions vs Canes:

@Canes4life

Disagree. BB was shattered by the time of November tests last year. He played too much Rugby last year.

I am glad that the world's best player is having his schedule managed to give him the best possible chance to shine in the RWC knockouts.

Totally agree. He's been overused by the Canes for a few years now. Only when you see him live do you appreciate how much ground he covers in a game. His form may fluctuate but his effort and commitment can never be faulted. An extended period of rest, even if due to injury, is good for the ABs later on in the year.

Ok so to be fair, who's form and commitment to the ABs do you fault and why?

Extend middle finger.

Andrew Merhtens hasn't played for the ABs in years.

I was merely telling Bones the Troll to go f himself. To think I nearly gave myself to him.

Troll? I was quite interested to hear.

Dammit Bones it wasn't a dig against any other player. God I dodged a bullet.

Oh ok, I thought you were saying others don't have his commitment so I was interested to see who.

Vaea Fifita said he didn't like hitting rucks. That's not showing much commitment.

to be fair, he said:
"I like six because I can use my athleticism to do what I can do on the outside, rather than just stay tight and do the hard work like running into a brick wall and getting your body tired. Then you can't do anything"

It's pointing out there's a tradeoff between the tight work, and getting wide. I'm pretty relaxed about his effort and commitment in the Black Jersey

So is he

@ACT-Crusader BB won the World Rugby Player of the Year award in 2016 and 2017, only the second player to win the award in back-to-back years. He was nominated in 2018 too. Some of the skills below aren't bad:

@sparky 2016 - yes. There was no way he was even the best player in the ABs in 2017 let alone the world.

@Nepia It's hard to take the award seriously when they get it wrong half the time. Sometimes the actual best doesn't even get nominated, like Nonu in 2015.

@Dice said in Lions vs Canes:

@Nepia It's hard to take the award seriously when they get it wrong half the time. Sometimes the actual best doesn't even get nominated, like Nonu in 2015.

Or when Sergio Parisse gets nominated for 10 years straight.

@Dice Or when someone wins on the basis of one lost game over easily the best player of the entire year.

@Nepia said in Lions vs Canes:

@Dice Or when someone wins on the basis of one lost game over easily the best player of the entire year.

Which year was that? There was also Kaino getting robbed in 2011.

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

@Nepia said in Lions vs Canes:

@Dice Or when someone wins on the basis of one lost game over easily the best player of the entire year.

Which year was that? There was also Kaino getting robbed in 2011.

That's the exact one I'm talking about.

@Nepia said in Lions vs Canes:

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

@Nepia said in Lions vs Canes:

@Dice Or when someone wins on the basis of one lost game over easily the best player of the entire year.

Which year was that? There was also Kaino getting robbed in 2011.

That's the exact one I'm talking about.

Ahh. Thought you meant the ABs had lost a game.

I recall McCaw losing out to that midget Welsh wing one year.

Anybody got the penalty count for the game?

SA has got such a massive problem with referee's at the moment. Two clearly dodgy incidents in this game:

1. Seconds got an AR gig. Wasn't he dropped as he was showing himself to be biased? You can't just say, oh he's not biased anymore, so he's back in. Should be permanently sacked.
   2.The high tackle pre coles try. No way in fuck that wasn't a card. The only discussion is which card should it be.

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

@Nepia said in Lions vs Canes:

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

@Nepia said in Lions vs Canes:

@Dice Or when someone wins on the basis of one lost game over easily the best player of the entire year.

Which year was that? There was also Kaino getting robbed in 2011.

That's the exact one I'm talking about.

Ahh. Thought you meant the ABs had lost a game.

I recall McCaw losing out to that midget Welsh wing one year.

At least McCaw got his own back in years to come, when he won it over Fourie Du Preez

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

@Nepia said in Lions vs Canes:

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

@Nepia said in Lions vs Canes:

@Dice Or when someone wins on the basis of one lost game over easily the best player of the entire year.

Which year was that? There was also Kaino getting robbed in 2011.

That's the exact one I'm talking about.

Ahh. Thought you meant the ABs had lost a game.

I recall McCaw losing out to that midget Welsh wing one year.

That midget was a pretty decent player though, I don't think I've seen a player who could change direction as quick as he could.....even more so than Cullen.

Crap defender and not much top end speed compared to others though.

@MN5 said in Lions vs Canes:

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

@Nepia said in Lions vs Canes:

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

@Nepia said in Lions vs Canes:

@Dice Or when someone wins on the basis of one lost game over easily the best player of the entire year.

Which year was that? There was also Kaino getting robbed in 2011.

That's the exact one I'm talking about.

Ahh. Thought you meant the ABs had lost a game.

I recall McCaw losing out to that midget Welsh wing one year.

That midget was a pretty decent player though, I don't think I've seen a player who could change direction as quick as he could.....even more so than Cullen.

Crap defender and not much top end speed compared to others though.

He was great but not the world MVP. Maybe Carter and McCaw split the vote.

Interestingly Parisse was only nominated twice, although it was probably two times too many.

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

@MN5 said in Lions vs Canes:

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

@Nepia said in Lions vs Canes:

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

@Nepia said in Lions vs Canes:

@Dice Or when someone wins on the basis of one lost game over easily the best player of the entire year.

Which year was that? There was also Kaino getting robbed in 2011.

That's the exact one I'm talking about.

Ahh. Thought you meant the ABs had lost a game.

I recall McCaw losing out to that midget Welsh wing one year.

That midget was a pretty decent player though, I don't think I've seen a player who could change direction as quick as he could.....even more so than Cullen.

Crap defender and not much top end speed compared to others though.

He was great but not the world MVP. Maybe Carter and McCaw split the vote.

Interestingly Parisse was only nominated twice, although it was probably two times too many.

I probably exaggerated slightly but I'm sure it was more than that.

but yeah Shane Williams always struggled tackling anyone bigger than him.....which was anyone.

@MN5 said in Lions vs Canes:

could change direction as quick as he could.....even more so than Cullen.

Now, I'm not saying you're talking out of your arse and I don't believe you, but, I would like to see some footage for comparison.

@MajorRage said in Lions vs Canes:

Anybody got the penalty count for the game?

SA has got such a massive problem with referee's at the moment. Two clearly dodgy incidents in this game:

1. Seconds got an AR gig. Wasn't he dropped as he was showing himself to be biased? You can't just say, oh he's not biased anymore, so he's back in. Should be permanently sacked.
   2.The high tackle pre coles try. No way in fuck that wasn't a card. The only discussion is which card should it be.

Kiwis whining about Refs in games officiated in RSA :sleeping_face: :sleeping_face:

Tackle started shoulder high & slipped up = seat belt tackle

TJ dramatic reaction was pathetic

Penalty only Not enough force to warrant a yellow card & contact was NOT initiated at head/neck area

Fifita OTOH was a textbook example of why laws were charged re. high tackles + level of force applied to these vulnerable areas

I like Plumtree but his comment re Fifita were a fucking embarrassment as well as woefully ignorant

@Jaguares4real said in Lions vs Canes:

@MajorRage said in Lions vs Canes:

Anybody got the penalty count for the game?

SA has got such a massive problem with referee's at the moment. Two clearly dodgy incidents in this game:

1. Seconds got an AR gig. Wasn't he dropped as he was showing himself to be biased? You can't just say, oh he's not biased anymore, so he's back in. Should be permanently sacked.
   2.The high tackle pre coles try. No way in fuck that wasn't a card. The only discussion is which card should it be.

Kiwis whining about Refs in games officiated in RSA :sleeping_face: :sleeping_face:

Tackle started shoulder high & slipped up = seat belt tackle

TJ dramatic reaction was pathetic

Penalty only Not enough force to warrant a yellow card & contact was NOT initiated at head/neck area

Fifita OTOH was a textbook example of why laws were charged re. high tackles + level of force applied to these vulnerable areas

I like Plumtree but his comment re Fifita were a fucking embarrassment as well as woefully ignorant

you continue to give Seconds roles, you continue to face deserves criticism.

Your analysis of the tackle is just wrong. We both know opposite teams wound have been straight Red in SA. Calling others ignorant is hypocrisy of the highest.

I look forward to the next coat hanger tackle on an SA player to see what a non dramatic reaction should look like.

No problems with Fifira sanction here, so unclear of relevance.

@Nepia said in Lions vs Canes:

@MN5 said in Lions vs Canes:

could change direction as quick as he could.....even more so than Cullen.

Now, I'm not saying you're talking out of your arse and I don't believe you, but, I would like to see some footage for comparison.

might have to get some on YouTube. Cullen always went forward though. Williams often went all over the place.

if anyone was better than Cully at that step/swerve without losing much pace it would have been Jason Robinson.

@MajorRage agree 100%. Initial contact was on the chin then slipped down to upper chest as TJ flipped. Not the biggest impact and the flipping movement made it look pretty bad at full speed. Definitely a yellow imo based on other rulings this year... and that irksome thing called the rule book!!

@MajorRage said in Lions vs Canes:

ng embarrassment as well as woefully ignoran

We'll have agree to disagree re. TJ's tackle

He should consider a career in Entertainment once he retire from rugby

Seconds is a distraction, not Lead referee nor a TMO

The SA conspiracy is just silly

My point re. Fifita was it was a clear red card yet was argued by Plum

@MN5 said in Lions vs Canes:

@Nepia said in Lions vs Canes:

@MN5 said in Lions vs Canes:

could change direction as quick as he could.....even more so than Cullen.

Now, I'm not saying you're talking out of your arse and I don't believe you, but, I would like to see some footage for comparison.

might have to get some on YouTube. Cullen always went forward though. Williams often went all over the place.

Clearly you've blocked out his try vs the Scots in 1996!

@Nepia said in Lions vs Canes:

Clearly you've blocked out his try vs the Scots in 1996!

which one

@taniwharugby said in Lions vs Canes:

@Nepia said in Lions vs Canes:

Clearly you've blocked out his try vs the Scots in 1996!

which one

Yes I was extremely torn at the beauty of them vs the fact he was doing them against my beloved Scots.

At least they ( and a shitload of rain ) shackled him much better in the next test......

I had such a man crush on Cullen. Even now when I hear him on tv I get a bit stiff.

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

I had such a man crush on Cullen. Even now when I hear him on tv I get a bit stiff.

I've met him briefly a couple of times. Such an unassuming guy, hard to believe he terrified defences like he did.

@MN5 said in Lions vs Canes:

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

I had such a man crush on Cullen. Even now when I hear him on tv I get a bit stiff.

I've met him briefly a couple of times. Such an unassuming guy, hard to believe he terrified defences like he did.

He's also quite small isn't he?

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

@MN5 said in Lions vs Canes:

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

I had such a man crush on Cullen. Even now when I hear him on tv I get a bit stiff.

I've met him briefly a couple of times. Such an unassuming guy, hard to believe he terrified defences like he did.

He's also quite small isn't he?

He's no Jonah that's for sure

@MN5 said in Lions vs Canes:

I've met him briefly a couple of times. Such an unassuming guy, hard to believe he terrified defences like he did.

To be fair I'm yet to meet an "assuming" All Black that wasn't a halfback or Ali Williams.

@Rancid-Schnitzel playing weight was about 85kg IIRC? Reputed to bench about 140kg or something?

Players have changed so much.

@taniwharugby said in Lions vs Canes:

@Rancid-Schnitzel playing weight was about 85kg IIRC? Reputed to bench about 140kg or something?

Players have changed so much.

I think only Cavubati could bench more and he's had shits bigger than Cullen.

Such an awesome player. Fark I would have loved to see a Canes backline with both him and BB. I would be like that kid off American Pie. Pity the only Barrett playing then was Smiley.

@rotated said in Lions vs Canes:

@MN5 said in Lions vs Canes:

I've met him briefly a couple of times. Such an unassuming guy, hard to believe he terrified defences like he did.

To be fair I'm yet to meet an "assuming" All Black that wasn't a halfback or Ali Williams.

Yeah that's a pretty fair call on the whole although you hear stories of such and such being a cock every now and again.

@MN5 said in Lions vs Canes:

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

@MN5 said in Lions vs Canes:

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

I had such a man crush on Cullen. Even now when I hear him on tv I get a bit stiff.

I've met him briefly a couple of times. Such an unassuming guy, hard to believe he terrified defences like he did.

He's also quite small isn't he?

He's no Jonah that's for sure

There is massive scope for a very tasteless joke there but due to my respect for the legend that was Jonah I will resist the temptation.

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Lions vs Canes:

@taniwharugby said in Lions vs Canes:

@Rancid-Schnitzel playing weight was about 85kg IIRC? Reputed to bench about 140kg or something?

Players have changed so much.

I think only Cavubati could bench more and he's had shits bigger than Cullen.

Such an awesome player. Fark I would have loved to see a Canes backline with both him and BB. I would be like that kid off American Pie. Pity the only Barrett playing then was Smiley.

Norm Hewitt and Bull Allen could as well. Not entirely sure how accurate that is given Filo Tiatia, Alama Ieremia, Tana Umaga and various others were running around at the same time.

My mate who was a gym goer back in the day said Big Bill was repping some bar bending weights while deadlifting. Incredibly strong.

@MN5 said in Lions vs Canes:

Yeah that's a pretty fair call on the whole although you hear stories of such and such being a cock every now and again.

And to be fair also being "assuming" doesn't make you a dick by any means, just not backward in coming forward.

@rotated said in Lions vs Canes:

@MN5 said in Lions vs Canes:

Yeah that's a pretty fair call on the whole although you hear stories of such and such being a cock every now and again.

And to be fair also being "assuming" doesn't make you a dick by any means, just not backward in coming forward.

Yeah what I mean is you'd never guess he was an AB unless you knew if that makes sense.

@Jaguares4real said in Lions vs Canes:

@MajorRage said in Lions vs Canes:

ng embarrassment as well as woefully ignoran

We'll have agree to disagree re. TJ's tackle

He should consider a career in Entertainment once he retire from rugby

I don't know if I can come to that conclusion. Gotta expect a bit of one-eyedness from both sides, but that's a coat hanger tackle around the neck and a minimum yellow. Every day of the week. I can't even see how it can be seen any other way. If you take your around the shoulders argument - well, he put himself in a position such that it was 100% chance it would slip up and take him out around the neck, so I again, don't buy it.

Seconds is a distraction, not Lead referee nor a TMO

He's involved. And his statistics, compared to others, show that he's not impartial. At the very least from a PR perspective, SA referee's should drop him for at least the rest of the season otherwise it seems they are publicly backing the view that local referees which consistently create controversies due to (statistically backed) bias is fine.

The SA conspiracy is just silly

Yeah, it probably is. But some of those stats coming out for Seconds & Rasta are insane. You can't possibly look at them and come up with any other conclusion than they are reffing one team only. 10 years ago, I think 100% of this forum would agree SA produced the best refs on the planet. So this isn't an anti-SA thing. It's a fair question to ask why this has changed in such a dramatic fashion.

My point re. Fifita was it was a clear red card yet was argued by Plum

The tackle on TJ is a clear yellow+ and is argued by you. So I fail to see why you are criticizing Plum, when you are doing the same thing. I;m being consistent here as I agree with your criticism of him!

@MajorRage I hadn't seen the tackle, so dragged it out. Link bel

@Jaguares4real it's a clear yellow all day, and getting towards a red. Lions player swung around ... I'm not a fan of players going down like a sniper hit them, but I think it's pretty ugly.

I call bullshit on the criticism of TJ in the 3 seconds after he was hit by a beaten defender's clothesline.

What's he supposed to do? Immediately jump up and start yelling "accident ref!"

Anyone who gets knocked down like that at full tilt can have a bit of time on the ground. He actually behaves exactly like someone who's been downed in the manner that's obvious to all.

Poor reffing by a very experienced ref. Nothing to do with TJs actions