NRL 2018

Looking back, this win was less of an upset than it felt at the time. The Aussie outside backs on paper would have been better then ours (except which ever genius thought it was a good idea to play Tom Trbojevic at centre) but any team where your halves are Hunt and Cherry-Evans is going to struggle. Cook was about the best player in the comp 2 months ago, but has been on a slide since then. That's your team pretty much fucked right there.

But those backs couldn't do much because the Aussie pack got mauled. Again, any surprise? How Woods makes rep teams i just can't work out. Both 2nd rowers are hole runners more than guys who get you over the advantage line. McGuire has actually had a pretty ordinary year. That leaves Klemmer to do the hard yards, and Frizzel off the bench.

Whereas for us nearly everyone picked was in form, and the game we played suited their strengths. And they all played above themselves.

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

Looking back, this win was less of an upset than it felt at the time. The Aussie outside backs on paper would have been better then ours (except which ever genius thought it was a good idea to play Tom Trbojevic at centre) but any team where your halves are Hunt and Cherry-Evans is going to struggle. Cook was about the best player in the comp 2 months ago, but has been on a slide since then. That's your team pretty much fucked right there.

But those backs couldn't do much because the Aussie pack got mauled. Again, any surprise? How Woods makes rep teams i just can't work out. Both 2nd rowers are hole runners more than guys who get you over the advantage line. McGuire has actually had a pretty ordinary year. That leaves Klemmer to do the hard yards, and Frizzel off the bench.

Whereas for us nearly everyone picked was in form, and the game we played suited their strengths. And they all played above themselves.

Agree with most of that bar the last line. The pack played how we expect them to play and the backs did some good (attack at times) and bad (edge defence). Johnson had one of his on days. Maybe DWZ played above himself, but he was very good at the back in Denver too.

Oh, and just on NRL stuff. How are Hasler and Jason Taylor still on the cusp of getting NRL gigs? How many times do they need to stink the joint out before clubs wake up to the fact that either they aren't very good, or the game has passed them by?

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

Looking back, this win was less of an upset than it felt at the time. The Aussie outside backs on paper would have been better then ours (except which ever genius thought it was a good idea to play Tom Trbojevic at centre) but any team where your halves are Hunt and Cherry-Evans is going to struggle. Cook was about the best player in the comp 2 months ago, but has been on a slide since then. That's your team pretty much fucked right there.

But those backs couldn't do much because the Aussie pack got mauled. Again, any surprise? How Woods makes rep teams i just can't work out. Both 2nd rowers are hole runners more than guys who get you over the advantage line. McGuire has actually had a pretty ordinary year. That leaves Klemmer to do the hard yards, and Frizzel off the bench.

Whereas for us nearly everyone picked was in form, and the game we played suited their strengths. And they all played above themselves.

Agree with most of that bar the last line. The pack played how we expect them to play and the backs did some good (attack at times) and bad (edge defence). Johnson had one of his on days. Maybe DWZ played above himself, but he was very good at the back in Denver too.

Don't know about that. How many on Thursday would have Issac Liu to be the best back rower on the field? Or Fisher-Harris to be that good? Or Smith to absolutely dominate? Or even JWH to have a good test (he's had a few ordinary ones). They fronted big time.

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

Looking back, this win was less of an upset than it felt at the time. The Aussie outside backs on paper would have been better then ours (except which ever genius thought it was a good idea to play Tom Trbojevic at centre) but any team where your halves are Hunt and Cherry-Evans is going to struggle. Cook was about the best player in the comp 2 months ago, but has been on a slide since then. That's your team pretty much fucked right there.

But those backs couldn't do much because the Aussie pack got mauled. Again, any surprise? How Woods makes rep teams i just can't work out. Both 2nd rowers are hole runners more than guys who get you over the advantage line. McGuire has actually had a pretty ordinary year. That leaves Klemmer to do the hard yards, and Frizzel off the bench.

Whereas for us nearly everyone picked was in form, and the game we played suited their strengths. And they all played above themselves.

Agree with most of that bar the last line. The pack played how we expect them to play and the backs did some good (attack at times) and bad (edge defence). Johnson had one of his on days. Maybe DWZ played above himself, but he was very good at the back in Denver too.

Don't know about that. How many on Thursday would have Issac Liu to be the best back rower on the field? Or Fisher-Harris to be that good? Or Smith to absolutely dominate? Or even JWH to have a good test (he's had a few ordinary ones). They fronted big time.

Liu surprised me because I don't watch too much of Easts but my mate is an uber fan of them reckons he's been awesome. Fisher Harris has been good all year. Smith was awesome, agreed, but he came into this match with some Blake Gibson/Maori Jesus type hype. Agree on JWH.

I just think that is closer to the packs usual level.

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

Looking back, this win was less of an upset than it felt at the time. The Aussie outside backs on paper would have been better then ours (except which ever genius thought it was a good idea to play Tom Trbojevic at centre) but any team where your halves are Hunt and Cherry-Evans is going to struggle. Cook was about the best player in the comp 2 months ago, but has been on a slide since then. That's your team pretty much fucked right there.

But those backs couldn't do much because the Aussie pack got mauled. Again, any surprise? How Woods makes rep teams i just can't work out. Both 2nd rowers are hole runners more than guys who get you over the advantage line. McGuire has actually had a pretty ordinary year. That leaves Klemmer to do the hard yards, and Frizzel off the bench.

Whereas for us nearly everyone picked was in form, and the game we played suited their strengths. And they all played above themselves.

Agree with most of that bar the last line. The pack played how we expect them to play and the backs did some good (attack at times) and bad (edge defence). Johnson had one of his on days. Maybe DWZ played above himself, but he was very good at the back in Denver too.

Don't know about that. How many on Thursday would have Issac Liu to be the best back rower on the field? Or Fisher-Harris to be that good? Or Smith to absolutely dominate? Or even JWH to have a good test (he's had a few ordinary ones). They fronted big time.

Liu surprised me because I don't watch too much of Easts but my mate is an uber fan of them reckons he's been awesome. Fisher Harris has been good all year. Smith was awesome, agreed, but he came into this match with some Blake Gibson/Maori Jesus type hype. Agree on JWH.

I just think that is closer to the packs usual level.

perhaps. It's probably also fair to say if those Aussie guys were wearing Blue or Maroon jerseys they may have been a little harder to run over.

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

@mariner4life said in NRL 2018:

Looking back, this win was less of an upset than it felt at the time. The Aussie outside backs on paper would have been better then ours (except which ever genius thought it was a good idea to play Tom Trbojevic at centre) but any team where your halves are Hunt and Cherry-Evans is going to struggle. Cook was about the best player in the comp 2 months ago, but has been on a slide since then. That's your team pretty much fucked right there.

But those backs couldn't do much because the Aussie pack got mauled. Again, any surprise? How Woods makes rep teams i just can't work out. Both 2nd rowers are hole runners more than guys who get you over the advantage line. McGuire has actually had a pretty ordinary year. That leaves Klemmer to do the hard yards, and Frizzel off the bench.

Whereas for us nearly everyone picked was in form, and the game we played suited their strengths. And they all played above themselves.

Agree with most of that bar the last line. The pack played how we expect them to play and the backs did some good (attack at times) and bad (edge defence). Johnson had one of his on days. Maybe DWZ played above himself, but he was very good at the back in Denver too.

Don't know about that. How many on Thursday would have Issac Liu to be the best back rower on the field? Or Fisher-Harris to be that good? Or Smith to absolutely dominate? Or even JWH to have a good test (he's had a few ordinary ones). They fronted big time.

Liu surprised me because I don't watch too much of Easts but my mate is an uber fan of them reckons he's been awesome. Fisher Harris has been good all year. Smith was awesome, agreed, but he came into this match with some Blake Gibson/Maori Jesus type hype. Agree on JWH.

I just think that is closer to the packs usual level.

perhaps. It's probably also fair to say if those Aussie guys were wearing Blue or Maroon jerseys they may have been a little harder to run over.

Fuck Origin is all I have to say to that.

But, back to original discussion, I'm happy to agree to disagree.

A few surprises on Sat though.
Aussies butchering about 3 tries, they score them like they usually do and we've got groundhog day again after 30 mins.

Our completion and error rate was not normal, kudos though

How in God's name is DCE with his 7 year old kicking range in this team?

Kangaroos could be forgiven thinking they blew that one, similar to the ABs when they lose.

Overall though full credit to a new look and new lead team for beating what was in front of them

A bit late in reply but have just recovered from my hangover. Great game by a new Kiwis side against a new Kangaroos side.

The forward pack were the biggest factor but we all knew they would be good against the Aussies with players like Jesse Bromwich in their team - it was the playmakers who needed to step up and did.

Brandon Smith was the stand out for me. I'll be honest, I didn't expect that much from him in this match but he was calm in the dummyhalf role and looks to be the legit replacement to Cam Smith at the Melbourne Storm.

DWZ also played his best game for the Kiwis. Never been a fan of his, felt there were always better options, but he was a beast at the back. Kiwis now have two great options at fullback.

Have always wanted to see what Shaun Johnson would be like at standoff and have to say he was pretty good. Nikorima helped out around the ruck area meaning SJ had a little more time to compute everything.

Esan Marsters and Joseph Manu look like the replacements for Peta Hiku and Dean Whare as the starting centres.

I missed the fact that Agnatius Paasi actually withdrew from the Tonga Squad to join the Kiwis (only discovered it today while trying to find if the Tongan starting team had been named).

It's like grand central station these days.

@nepia said in NRL 2018:

I missed the fact that Agnatius Paasi actually withdrew from the Tonga Squad to join the Kiwis (only discovered it today while trying to find if the Tongan starting team had been named).

It's like grand central station these days.

There's almost as much movement in international league as there is in the NRL

@sneakdefreak Assuming DWZ maintains his form, how do you think they will accommodate RTS once he is available for selection? Move him to five eight or halfback?

@akan004 said in NRL 2018:

@sneakdefreak Assuming DWZ maintains his form, how do you think they will accommodate RTS once he is available for selection? Move him to five eight or hallfback?

I think RTS has to play fullback with DWZ to the wing. It's a good position for the Kiwis to have multiple contenders in positions.

@akan004 said in NRL 2018:

@sneakdefreak Assuming DWZ maintains his form, how do you think they will accommodate RTS once he is available for selection? Move him to five eight or halfback?

1 RTS 2. Rapana 3. Manu 4. Marsters 5. DWZ 6. Johnson 7. Nikorima might be the backline going forward (unless Te Maire Martin plays his way into a halves spot)

Konrad Hurrell is moving to the Superleague. Has been released by the GC Titans and has signed with Leeds Rhinos.

@sneakdefreak i wonder if his suddenly super hot mrs will leave the sunny GC(although currently miserably wet and has been for over 2 weeks) and follow him to the cold of the mining town league.

@raznomore Who's his suddenly super hot missues and why is she only suddenly superhot?

Bec Bates on instagram. She hit the gym and went from nice to hot.

@raznomore Surprises me that more players don't want to sign with GC. All the instagram girls move there to "grow their brand".

@sneakdefreak said in NRL 2018:

@raznomore Surprises me that more players don't want to sign with GC. All the instagram girls move there to "grow their brand".

work out. Get fake tits. "influence" on instagram.

Sounds like a fucking top place to be a pro footballer.

Although it probably also explains why everyone who goes there plays shit.

Being a kiwi in the industry I am in there is a good chance you will meet a fair few insta-hos and I have.

The ones from the GC. I Love and loath the GC for the same reason.

Crazy crowd, should be an interesting game.... Aus will want to start strong!

WOW! The whole crowd just burst into a song just prior to kick off, simply sensational to hear.

Hopefully Tonga don't use up their energy too soon.

They can't afford to gift tries like that, could be a long night for the Tongans.

Lolohea is looking fat

@crazy-horse the whole Tongan team is looking gased already

Yep, going to be a long night. At least they got one try.

Too many errors from Tonga, you just can’t gift Aussie opportunities like that.

24-6 now, this might get ugly.

@gunner said in NRL 2018:

Too many errors from Tonga, you just can’t gift Aussie opportunities like that.

24-6 now, this might get ugly.

In terms of the final score or a good old fashioned all in "discussion" between players?

@higgins the score. Although I wouldn’t mind seeing the Tongans dish out some biff on DCE

So Aussie get to take two conversions, the second from in front, because of a bit of accidental contact with the try scorers head, yet they never penalise a head high tackle, what the actual fuck?

@gunner said in NRL 2018:

@higgins the score. Although I wouldn’t mind seeing the Tongans dish out some biff on DCE

So Aussie get to take two conversions, the second from in front, because of a bit of accidental contact with the try scorers head, yet they never penalise a head high tackle, what the actual fuck?

The tactic of leading with your feet to stop a try being scored is grubby as fuck, I'm pretty comfortable with them stamping that shit out. But as you say, absolutely no consistency in League given the shit they let go.

@no-quarter said in NRL 2018:

@gunner said in NRL 2018:

@higgins the score. Although I wouldn’t mind seeing the Tongans dish out some biff on DCE

So Aussie get to take two conversions, the second from in front, because of a bit of accidental contact with the try scorers head, yet they never penalise a head high tackle, what the actual fuck?

The tactic of leading with your feet to stop a try being scored is grubby as fuck, I'm pretty comfortable with them stamping that shit out. But as you say, absolutely no consistency in League given the shit they let go.

It would have been fair enough if the guy was doing that, but it was just basically bad timing, ran into the guy and tripped over him. Completely accidental.

Bad timing for the penalty but I think the Tongans have been getting the rub of the green for their 50/50s.

Tonga on about their 32nd back to back set. They need to find a way over the line, somehow.

Hungus scores.

30-16

"Dance monkey, dance" seems to be spreading around social media.
Will be interesting to see what happens with that.

@mimic said in NRL 2018:

"Dance monkey, dance" seems to be spreading around social media.
Will be interesting to see what happens with that.

What is this for those of us who watched the game with no commentary (and more of an eye on Otago and the ref robbing the Magpies ).

The DJ at the game claims that an official in the production room said "dance monkey dance" when they put up the dance cam of the crowd.

There were other comments of casual racism in the production room, but it was "dance monkey dance" that set him off.

@mimic Haven't seen anything about it but will probably pop up in the MSM at some point.

Des Hasler has returned to coach Manly in 2019.