Rugby

[James]

Do anyone here see the All Blacks/Italy game last night?

What an awful performance! If they play like that against Australia we'll lose by about 20-30 points!

I guess it wasn't our full side though with Marshall, Umaga, Jack not playing.

For the record the All Blacks won 64-10.



[Edited on 6/9/02 by James]

 

[Kimbo]

I think that Kelleher is better than Marshall, although he had an off performance last night. You can't really complain too much though- it was first up game of the season, probly didnt have the combinations going.
It looked like the All Blacks were trying too hard just to get some go forward. Tactically a sound move, but when a team is trying to get to know eachother the best thing for confidence is to spin it and score some points. The Italian pack seemed quite strong, surprisingly strong.

 

[James]

Italy did look good in the forwards and cleaned us up at scrum time.

At least there's still another 17 games before the world cup!

 

[Kimbo]

Yeah, hopefully the All Blacks will be gelling nicely by that time.

 

[Neil Pickup]

England will beat the All Blacks and Australia. Then lose to Wales and go out on points difference or something...

(Hmm.. maybe not, that would be a Group of Death)...

 

[lord_of_darkness]

man did u so many of the handling errors we did ??

and we let them score 2 tries even !

hopefully we start patching team up if we need to beat Aus

 

[Kimbo]

I can't believe how many changes John Mitchell has made to the side.
I sort of doubt him as a coach, it's just a feeling I have... I'm not sure, what do you guys think.

 

[James]

13 from Canterbury, 1 from Wellington, 1 from Auckland. :O I guess that does reflect Super 12 form though doesn't it?

I hope Henry gets a chance again as he really was a top coach before he left for Wales.

 

[Kimbo]

Otago was second best side and didnt have a show. Even though Kelleher had a shit game against Italy he is still by far NZ's best halfback.
I also think Taine Randell deserves a spot.
I'm sure Marshall will prove to th selectors that he is second best, he spent the whole super 12 throwing ground grubbers. When watchin the NSW thrashing me and my dad noted that he was the weakest link.

 

[James]

I think the problem with Randall is that he plays a different position every season (6, 7, 8).

Mitchell seems to be wanting specalists in all positions, which gives others the go ahead, making Randall the perfect sub.

I would personally have had Cullen on the bench as well seeing as he can cover both wings, fullback and centre at a push.

 

[Kimbo]

We are lucky to have hell of a lot of depth in the fullback position. What do you think about Doug Howlett? All the commentators keep going on about how great he is, but IMO he isn't that great. He is just fast, not half the winger Wilson was in his day. He isn't particularly skilled, just a sprinter.

 

[James]

I share your views completely on Howlett.

I think Roger Randle is more a complete winger but that's me :P. Wilson is one of the all time great All Blacks and can't be compared with Howlett really I don't think.

[Edited on 6/11/02 by James]

 

[Kimbo]

I know, I just like harping on about Goldie, my alltime favourite.
Randle is pretty class. I was also impressed by what I saw of Joe Maddock, I don't know how old he is, if he is young he is a good prospect.

 

[James]

Goldie is also my all time favourite all black

We can't have another Cantab in there

 

[Kimbo]

Good Point- GO RANDLE!!!

aaah well, even though canterbury really hacks me off with their huge talent in sports, that was a bloody awesome team, you gotta acknowledge that.