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Posted at 12:07PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

Was it because it wasn't reported in the media until yesterday?

Was covered in last week's Re-Union programme apparently.

The whole episode is jaw-dropping really.

Posted at 12:26PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

[sad trombone]

Heh.

We were up in Fiji last week where the Pacific Nations Cup was getting underway - was interesting to see the Junior All Blacks (succesfully) in there rather than Maori. What is the difference between the Juniors and the Under-20s?

Posted at 12:34PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

If you were coaching a team of fourteen year old boys and we had to win the return leg of an inter-college encounter by more than 6 in order to retain the silverware, would you tell them?

Of course you would!

The All Blacks are adults, and can cope with grasping the implications of the series rules. It seems to me Graham Henry has a habit of losing his nerve under pressure and then makes self-serving decisions.

Oh and there seems to be an inordinate amount of tip-toeing through the tulips over the plain fact the Steven Donald isn't good enough. What gives? Since when have the selectors and media been so sensitive to the feelings of a good bloke who clearly should be cut?

Posted at 12:46PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

Also, interested in your categorisation of Roko's game as a great one? I thought he did rather poorly - handling off (as per but highlighted here) and just not up to the speed test in certain cases. Seeing that funny little French winger outrunning a Fijian had me rather perplexed. He was certainly involved plenty, but not always in a positive way?

Posted at 12:55PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

The key principles agreed at that time were that the competitions must:

Shouldn't that also include:

* involve the Ranfurly Shield

Posted at 1:00PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

Agree with Gareth's appraisal of Roko in that game. We used to shout, "Give it to Joe!". But, not any more.

but it did have some interesting titbits

Thank you. The first time for years I have seen anyone use the English version. North American "tidbits" seems to rule the NZ roost.

Posted at 1:02PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

Oh and there seems to be an inordinate amount of tip-toeing through the tulips over the plain fact the Steven Donald isn't good enough. What gives? Since when have the selectors and media been so sensitive to the feelings of a good bloke who clearly should be cut?

I don't know of anyone who thinks Stephen Donald is any good apart from the selectors and commentators (and probably his mum). I think the reason is he's all we've got. With Carter injured, the selectors have convinced themselves Donald's our next best option because if he isn't, who's left? Ripia? Gopperth? I can't even remember who's No. 10 for Canterbury or Otago.

Short of hoping McAllister will be up to speed as soon as possible, we're stuck with him. So let's all pretend he's not mind-numbingly awful.

Posted at 1:02PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

Was covered in last week's Re-Union programme apparently.

In one that's devoted to rugby on a channel only a few people get. Crazy. I assume we can win back the Gallagher trophy later this year though.

We were up in Fiji last week where the Pacific Nations Cup was getting underway...

I love the way they are running this tournament. It's how I would run the Tri-nations, all in one country.

Actually, why don't we get rid of the Tri-nations and have a Southern Hemisphere Cup? It'd be like what the European Championship is to the Football World Cup.

What is the difference between the Juniors and the Under-20s?

Age-Grade versus All Black B-Squad.

Posted at 1:03PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

Mebbe they should have told them we need to win by 20.

Anyone watch the Lions? Decent test match, played in the afternoon sunshine. No co-incidence there.

Posted at 1:07PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

I thought Joe had a good game. He's definitely lost the speed, but there were no glaring errors in his game and he always seemed to be around and keen. I tend to notice players who are keen rather than those who bide their time.

I felt that Cory Jane had a bad game. Feel free to try and convince me otherwise.

Posted at 1:08PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

Anyone watch the Lions? Decent test match, played in the afternoon sunshine. No co-incidence there.

Steve Tew quote: "Test matches have to be played at night"

Posted at 1:12PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

I thought Joe had a good game. He's definitely lost the speed, but there were no glaring errors in his game

I'm really confused now. I thought we were talking about Saturday's test.

Posted at 1:20PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

I felt that Cory Jane had a bad game. Feel free to try and convince me otherwise.

I thought he had an OK game, but I can't think of any reason why. I appear to have convinced you on the Kieran Read front with no evidence though, so will just my loosely formed opinion count?

Posted at 1:27PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

I appear to have convinced you on the Kieran Read front with no evidence though, so will just my loosely formed opinion count?

Yours and the handful of others I heard from. And Tracey's stats show that he was at least doing his job to fairly good extent.

I'm really confused now. I thought we were talking about Saturday's test.

Yes, you're right, but you're still confused. :)

Posted at 1:28PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

We were up in Fiji last week where the Pacific Nations Cup was getting underway...

I love the way they are running this tournament. It's how I would run the Tri-nations, all in one country.

Given the smiles on the faces of the IRB folks lounging around the pool, you may be able to convince them. So long as that country remains Fiji.
(Although I'm pretty sure that Tonga and maybe Samoa got a game each in their country as well?)

It did seem like a great concept though, locals VERY into it, a bit of a "festival" feeling given it goes over 3 weeks or so, etc etc. Tri-Nations as a tournament sounds good to me, but unfortunately the individual nations wold hate the idea of 3 years between their local hosting.

Posted at 1:29PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

And thanks for the Junior re U20 explanation - in that case I feel the "Junior" term is poorly applied.

Posted at 1:38PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

Was covered in last week's Re-Union programme apparently.

Shows how many people actually watch that programme.

Posted at 1:41PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

Was covered in last week's Re-Union programme apparently.

Shows how many people actually watch that programme.

True, but you’d think someone involved with the team might have watched it.

That All Black bubble seems to be made of pretty strong stuff.

Posted at 1:42PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

Any idea what has happened to Colin Slade? He seemed pretty good the couple of games I watched him play for Canty. He seemed to get shunted off to the wing when someone else came back from injury (someone else who didn't play 1st-5 as well as Slade had).

And I think Bergquist might be worth another look for the step up (although he may need another season or 2). Also Bowden(?) who played 1st-5 for Otago last season and I think 2nd-5 this season for the Highlanders looked to have most of the goods.

Admittedly, these observations are based on only seeing a few games so they may be a bit wide of the mark, but you don't have to look far for some decent talent in the #10 jersey, as long as you are willing to look around & not just focus on the top few places in teh Super14.

Posted at 1:43PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

It doesn't matter what anyone thinks of Stephen Donald, he's all we've got. Personally, I'm hoping that we get better conditions this Saturday night, control the ball at the breakdown much better and that Donald, with a bit of space gets to play a blinder. Amazing what a little confidence can do.

As to JoRo, I thought he looked eager on Saturday night but was basically pretty poor.

Posted at 1:44PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

That All Black bubble seems to be made of pretty strong stuff.

If you were in the team, would you really want to read the kind of stuff that was being said about you last week?

Posted at 1:51PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

MW,

I’d have thought someone would have. It’s not as if Re-Union takes the gloves off much.

Posted at 1:52PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

It doesn't matter what anyone thinks of Stephen Donald, he's all we've got. Personally, I'm hoping that we get better conditions this Saturday night, control the ball at the breakdown much better and that Donald, with a bit of space gets to play a blinder.

I think playing against Italy is going to constitute getting better conditions in and of itself. Donald is not slated to play though, on account of his hamstring.

Posted at 2:17PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

I’d have thought someone would have. It’s not as if Re-Union takes the gloves off much.

Well, yes, I am sure someone within the AB's camp is responsible for monitoring what is being said in the media. My point is, that may not filter down to the players who could choose not to listen to the hacks, and instead focus on their own preparation.

Posted at 2:30PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

My point is, that may not filter down to the players who could choose not to listen to the hacks

You mean they don't read my blog?

But I agree, given that the "official" story of the week was "All Blacks lose, apocalypse to follow"

Posted at 2:40PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

"All Blacks lose, apocalypse to follow"

All Blacks lose, because they are the WORST TEAM EVER AND CAN'T PLAY, AND FRANCE AREN'T THAT GOOD ANYWAY AND OH MY GOD MUCH GNASHING OF TEETH, apocalypse to follow.

You can see why, as a player, you might want to avoid that, and the coaches may want to avoid putting any extra pressure on some fairly young and inexperienced guys.

I'm kind of just happy they won.

Posted at 2:46PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

You can see why, as a player, you might want to avoid that, and the coaches may want to avoid putting any extra pressure on some fairly young and inexperienced guys.

I can understand why they wouldn't tell the whole team. Might never be an issue and you want them focused.

Not telling the captain and vice-captain so they can make informed decisions if it becomes an issue? Bizarre.

Posted at 2:56PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

But really does it matter?

They won a game. We won a game. Now they hold on to the trophy that, in all honesty, doesn't need to exist in the first place. At best it gives us something to win back.

Posted at 3:10PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

You can see why, as a player, you might want to avoid that, and the coaches may want to avoid putting any extra pressure on some fairly young and inexperienced guys.

I think avoiding any programme hosted by Tony Whatshisname is a sign of having got one's life priorities right, even if it's after the All Blacks have beaten Australia 50-zip.

Posted at 3:24PM on 22 Jun 09. Permalink.

Now they hold on to the trophy that, in all honesty, doesn't need to exist in the first place.

I don't know that it doesn't need to exist. I like thefact of the Gallaher Trophy and what it stands for (and I don't much mind that we have to win it back).