Could you imagine if the All Blacks had lost to Fiji last weekend in the same fashion that Australia did to Samoa?
What an outcry,what a disaster,what a complete rabble etc.
Sure,the Australians got roasted and were subjected to some intense and warranted criticism.But reality set in.Several top players were rested,Samoa were on fire and lets face it,who is really going to care about that result come the business end of the World Cup in October?
The New Zealand public on the other hand....well,lets just not go there.
Which brings us to this weekends game against a side many are labelling as a Springbok 'B' or 'C' team.What can we,or what should we, expect from our All Blacks?
The scenario is thus.A convincing All Blacks win,and of course preferably more than the scoreline that the Wallabies ran up against the same outfit.That means we demand and expect a win by more than 19 points.And if we do?Oh well the naysayers will say,its 'only' the Springbok reserves.Who cares.
The other scenario is that we stutter and scramble to an unconvincing win,or heaven forbid,a loss! What would happen.All hell would break loose and the Coaches would need to be sacked and we "have no chance" at the World Cup.Yeah right.
So regardless of the outcome,its a lose/lose situation that our All Blacks are facing on Saturday night.I just hope we win and secure our maximum Tri Nations points and remain injury free.And in the event that that doesn't happen?Who cares.The main event is in October....
Straight Shooter-telling it like it is
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Stephen Donald-the modern day Philpott
"Stephen Donald to the Blues" the headlines have screamed these last few days.Has he or hasn't he?Confirmed reports by the Sunday Star Times then denials by the Blues franchise.
But why the fuss?
Probably because Stephen Donald is the most mis-understood All Black of the modern era.Despised by many and admired by few.He polarises opinion more than any other All Black of my generation.The modern day Shane Philpott."Shane who" I hear you say.
Shane Philpott put his All Blacks 'cap' up for auction.He was in his words "ashamed" to have been labelled an All Black.The criticism he copped during his playing days was cruel and callous,and he took it all on board and saddled himself with the burden.He believed he wasn't deserved of the jersey,so when he was presented with his 'cap' he wanted to get rid of it.Sad.Yet could we blame him?The rampant fervour and outspoken feelings we have for our beloved All Blacks can also be a dark black lonely hole if you happen to be one of the chosen few who seemingly don't deserve the honor from our 4 million All Black selectors.
And so to Stephen Donald.The man who holds the season record for the Chiefs of 133 points set in 2006.The former NZ age group rep who in 2003 played for the World Champion u21 side.He logged 45 games for Waikato and 71 games for the Chiefs(and 731 points).He was a NZ Junior All Black in 2005 and 2006 and became a fully fledged All Black in 2008,going on to play 24 games for the ABs including 22 tests,scoring a total of 113 points.
Yet,despite this impressive resume he has become the All Black no one wants.Even Blues fans were so outspoken on their feelings towards him that they petitioned the Blues board in their droves to not sign him!
Stephen Donald is a proven performer at NPC and Super rugby level and the Blues would have welcomed him with open arms as any Super franchise would.He has had his faults in the All Black jersey but he has also played soundly most of the time.Disregard his performance in Hong Kong last year,and what you have is a tough,durable playmaker with great vision and skill,who has served his Waikato,Chiefs and All Black teams well,in a position that requires brains and tactical nous let alone nerves of steel.Stephen Donald can look back on a fine rugby career,and I only hope he gets treated in the way he deserves...with dignity and with respect and he is remembered as a deserving All Black,as they all are.
It would be a sad day for Rugby fans if we have another All Black that feels they were not entitled to the jersey and their 'cap' simply because a minor section of the rugby public voiced their vitriolic criticism.
Straight Shooter-telling it like it is
But why the fuss?
Probably because Stephen Donald is the most mis-understood All Black of the modern era.Despised by many and admired by few.He polarises opinion more than any other All Black of my generation.The modern day Shane Philpott."Shane who" I hear you say.
Shane Philpott put his All Blacks 'cap' up for auction.He was in his words "ashamed" to have been labelled an All Black.The criticism he copped during his playing days was cruel and callous,and he took it all on board and saddled himself with the burden.He believed he wasn't deserved of the jersey,so when he was presented with his 'cap' he wanted to get rid of it.Sad.Yet could we blame him?The rampant fervour and outspoken feelings we have for our beloved All Blacks can also be a dark black lonely hole if you happen to be one of the chosen few who seemingly don't deserve the honor from our 4 million All Black selectors.
And so to Stephen Donald.The man who holds the season record for the Chiefs of 133 points set in 2006.The former NZ age group rep who in 2003 played for the World Champion u21 side.He logged 45 games for Waikato and 71 games for the Chiefs(and 731 points).He was a NZ Junior All Black in 2005 and 2006 and became a fully fledged All Black in 2008,going on to play 24 games for the ABs including 22 tests,scoring a total of 113 points.
Yet,despite this impressive resume he has become the All Black no one wants.Even Blues fans were so outspoken on their feelings towards him that they petitioned the Blues board in their droves to not sign him!
Stephen Donald is a proven performer at NPC and Super rugby level and the Blues would have welcomed him with open arms as any Super franchise would.He has had his faults in the All Black jersey but he has also played soundly most of the time.Disregard his performance in Hong Kong last year,and what you have is a tough,durable playmaker with great vision and skill,who has served his Waikato,Chiefs and All Black teams well,in a position that requires brains and tactical nous let alone nerves of steel.Stephen Donald can look back on a fine rugby career,and I only hope he gets treated in the way he deserves...with dignity and with respect and he is remembered as a deserving All Black,as they all are.
It would be a sad day for Rugby fans if we have another All Black that feels they were not entitled to the jersey and their 'cap' simply because a minor section of the rugby public voiced their vitriolic criticism.
Straight Shooter-telling it like it is
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Ditch the farcical Fiji game
Awesome,the All Blacks play on July 22nd at Carisbrook.Fantastic.The last International rugby game to be played at the hallowed ground,and the first test match for the All Blacks in World Cup year.Massive anticipation.
Get in quick for your tickets...BUT..wait for it.Who are we actually playing?
What?
Fiji?
Are you kiddding me!What an absolute farce.90-0? Come on NZRU you can do better that this.Half the Fiji side won't be allowed in the country to play anyway because of the rule on the Fijian military being excluded!Even if it was a 'full strength' Fijian side,what sort of opposition will they provide?
I have a suggestion.Cancel this game NOW.Its not too late.Replace it with a game against a side that would be ranked in the top 4 in World Rugby.
The New Zealand 3rd XV!!!
Thats right,play a virtual 'trial' against those players who have missed out on the named 30(or 34 including the injury cover).What a game that would be.Intensity,intrigue and most of all,a real contest.
Here is my team to play the All Blacks and feel free to add your 2 cents worth too :)
15-Sean Maitland
14-Jo Rockocoko
13-Robbie Fruean
12-Jarrod Payne
11-Rene Ranger
10-Aaron Cruden
9-Alby Mathewson
8-Fritz Lee
7-Daniel Braid
6-Victor Vito
5-Tom Donnelly
4-Luke Romano
3-Jamie McIntosh
2-Hika Elliott
1-Neemia Tialata
Now,tell me that this game wouln't attract 10x the interest that a farcical game against Fiji will create.
July 22nd,Carisbrook.All Blacks vs Barbarians.Bring it on!!
Straight Shooter-telling it like it is
Get in quick for your tickets...BUT..wait for it.Who are we actually playing?
What?
Fiji?
Are you kiddding me!What an absolute farce.90-0? Come on NZRU you can do better that this.Half the Fiji side won't be allowed in the country to play anyway because of the rule on the Fijian military being excluded!Even if it was a 'full strength' Fijian side,what sort of opposition will they provide?
I have a suggestion.Cancel this game NOW.Its not too late.Replace it with a game against a side that would be ranked in the top 4 in World Rugby.
The New Zealand 3rd XV!!!
Thats right,play a virtual 'trial' against those players who have missed out on the named 30(or 34 including the injury cover).What a game that would be.Intensity,intrigue and most of all,a real contest.
Here is my team to play the All Blacks and feel free to add your 2 cents worth too :)
15-Sean Maitland
14-Jo Rockocoko
13-Robbie Fruean
12-Jarrod Payne
11-Rene Ranger
10-Aaron Cruden
9-Alby Mathewson
8-Fritz Lee
7-Daniel Braid
6-Victor Vito
5-Tom Donnelly
4-Luke Romano
3-Jamie McIntosh
2-Hika Elliott
1-Neemia Tialata
Now,tell me that this game wouln't attract 10x the interest that a farcical game against Fiji will create.
July 22nd,Carisbrook.All Blacks vs Barbarians.Bring it on!!
Straight Shooter-telling it like it is
Monday, July 11, 2011
Super rugby final-review
Credit where it is due,and a huge Congratulations to the Reds.Minor premiership winners and eventual overall Champions.No complaints from me.
However....the Crusaders were sadly off their game.Lets admit it.Dont go getting all politically correct and do the "no excuses" B.S.
The Crusaders were tired,jetlagged and simply operating below their best.Timaru-Durban-Brisbane caught up with them.
You will never see Carter and McCaw be so nondescript together in a game ever again!And the tries that Digby Ione and Will Genia scored,while being classic individual efforts,were the result of a tired and yes,lazy defence.Watch Genias try again and look at Owen Franks out on his feet walking across the face of the ruck.Genia stepped back inside and before Franks realised,Genia was through.
The passes behind the attacker,the dropped balls the missed tackles.Flynns throwing in,Guildfords lack of zip etc etc.It goes on.
I'm not fussed.Let the Aussies crow and let them savour a Super rugby Championship.On the night they deserved it and in front of that record crowd it was great to see.
Super Rugby success does not equate to World Cup success.No one will likely remember the 2011 Super Rugby champions once the World Cup winners are crowned in October.
Straight Shooter-telling it like it is
However....the Crusaders were sadly off their game.Lets admit it.Dont go getting all politically correct and do the "no excuses" B.S.
The Crusaders were tired,jetlagged and simply operating below their best.Timaru-Durban-Brisbane caught up with them.
You will never see Carter and McCaw be so nondescript together in a game ever again!And the tries that Digby Ione and Will Genia scored,while being classic individual efforts,were the result of a tired and yes,lazy defence.Watch Genias try again and look at Owen Franks out on his feet walking across the face of the ruck.Genia stepped back inside and before Franks realised,Genia was through.
The passes behind the attacker,the dropped balls the missed tackles.Flynns throwing in,Guildfords lack of zip etc etc.It goes on.
I'm not fussed.Let the Aussies crow and let them savour a Super rugby Championship.On the night they deserved it and in front of that record crowd it was great to see.
Super Rugby success does not equate to World Cup success.No one will likely remember the 2011 Super Rugby champions once the World Cup winners are crowned in October.
Straight Shooter-telling it like it is
All Blacks squad
A largely predictable All Black squad has been named for the Tri Nations by the 3 wise men.
The only concern I have is ,why did they name four injury 'replacements?'
What happens if one or more of those four have absolute blinders in the opportunity they get given?Do they then drop the original selection?
It is clear that Tony Woodcock is the worst of the four injury labelled All Blacks.Should Wyatt Crockett(who incidentally was very unlucky at losing out to John Afoa) play well,better than Afoa or the Franks boys,should he then be relegated to make way for Woodcock? And on the subject of Crockett,I find it hard to see how Todd Blackadder could rate him ahead of Ben Franks in the Crusaders outfit,yet Henry and co rate him behind not only Franks but also John Afoa,the man they tried to convert in to a hooker just last season.
Having said that,that is the only issues I have with this squad.As I said,largely predictable.I had thought that with Colin Slades lack of game time that Aaron Cruden may have nudged in ahead of him,but I'm not complaining.I would have liked to have seen Sean Maitland get a run in place of either Sivivatu or Jane as an injury replacement.It would have been a perfect opportunity to have given him a run against Fiji.
Very experienced,very reliable and all these players know the patterns and the rules and what is required of them in World Cup year.
Now,roll on October....
Straight Shooter-telling it like it is
The only concern I have is ,why did they name four injury 'replacements?'
What happens if one or more of those four have absolute blinders in the opportunity they get given?Do they then drop the original selection?
It is clear that Tony Woodcock is the worst of the four injury labelled All Blacks.Should Wyatt Crockett(who incidentally was very unlucky at losing out to John Afoa) play well,better than Afoa or the Franks boys,should he then be relegated to make way for Woodcock? And on the subject of Crockett,I find it hard to see how Todd Blackadder could rate him ahead of Ben Franks in the Crusaders outfit,yet Henry and co rate him behind not only Franks but also John Afoa,the man they tried to convert in to a hooker just last season.
Having said that,that is the only issues I have with this squad.As I said,largely predictable.I had thought that with Colin Slades lack of game time that Aaron Cruden may have nudged in ahead of him,but I'm not complaining.I would have liked to have seen Sean Maitland get a run in place of either Sivivatu or Jane as an injury replacement.It would have been a perfect opportunity to have given him a run against Fiji.
Very experienced,very reliable and all these players know the patterns and the rules and what is required of them in World Cup year.
Now,roll on October....
Straight Shooter-telling it like it is
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Super rugby final
Yeah yeah I know,its been a while since I blogged!! Some days are spent doing other things and occassionally I get the urge to write like crazy and express my thoughts,usually elsewhere though,and my blog here is a second thought!
Anyway,this Saturday its the Super rugby final(Inaugural Super 15 final) between the Crusaders and the Reds
Lets have a look at these two sides and also see if we can bankrupt the TAB with some smart bets.
Firstly,the NZ TAB has got it wrong.The Crusaders are far too short in my opinion at $1.52 and the Reds present far better value at $2.40.This doesn't mean that I think the Reds will win,far from it.It just means that I think it will be far closer than the TAB thinks.
Why?
Firstly we have to remember that the Reds finished the round robin games a top of the table and deservedly so.The are also playing this game at home,a huge factor and with a sold out Stadium they will be up for it.
On the other hand,the Crusaders have to get over the travel factor.Timaru to Durban then back to Brisbane.Thats some serious miles!
Considering all this,I still feel that the Crusaders have hit some ominous form in recent weeks,and they are,minus Israel Dagg and possibly Andy Ellis,at full strength.And that is key.These finals are decided sometimes through acts of sheer brilliance or acts of sheer stupidity.An experienced side like the Crusaders will absorb all the pressure and relish it.
Big finals are decided up front,the engine room,where all the grunt comes from.Here the Crusaders have a decided advantage.We have heard all about Quade Cooper and the dangerous Reds backs,but with flatfoot ball or ball taken going backwards its going to be hard for them to launch attacks.The scrum and lineout dominance of the Crusaders will win them this match.
Carter v Cooper? Its a no contest.Granted,Quade Cooper has been in sensational form,but he has hardly been put under any real pressure and with the ball going forward on the dry track of Suncorp he has looked the goods.But Carter has been in the big time since 2003 and has consistantly been the worlds best number 10 in all sorts of situations.Carters poise under pressure,his ability to read the game,his pinpoint kicking game allied with solid tough defence leaves him in a class of his own.Cooper lacks the same kicking game and direction,but most telling is his noticable lack of a big defensive game.And I am sure that SBW and Robbie Fruean will have taken note!Look for some early cuts and hits down Coopers channel on Saturday night!
So now,how do we make money here?The Crusaders are at $2.80 to win by 12-. Thats good money.The other interesting bet is to take the draw at halftime or fulltime at $9.This game will be tight and a draw at halftime will be no surprise.The other interesting option that the NZ TAB have is the highest scoring half and I'd take the second half as the highest scoring half at $1.70.The first half will be all about set piece dominance and sorting each other out,hence low scoring.As for points margin,take 2 bets.The Crusaders 1-7 at $4.25 and the Crusaders 8-14 at $5.Throw $20 on those 2 and you will double your money and more.
Good Luck and Go the Crusaders!
Straight Shooter-telling it like it is
Anyway,this Saturday its the Super rugby final(Inaugural Super 15 final) between the Crusaders and the Reds
Lets have a look at these two sides and also see if we can bankrupt the TAB with some smart bets.
Firstly,the NZ TAB has got it wrong.The Crusaders are far too short in my opinion at $1.52 and the Reds present far better value at $2.40.This doesn't mean that I think the Reds will win,far from it.It just means that I think it will be far closer than the TAB thinks.
Why?
Firstly we have to remember that the Reds finished the round robin games a top of the table and deservedly so.The are also playing this game at home,a huge factor and with a sold out Stadium they will be up for it.
On the other hand,the Crusaders have to get over the travel factor.Timaru to Durban then back to Brisbane.Thats some serious miles!
Considering all this,I still feel that the Crusaders have hit some ominous form in recent weeks,and they are,minus Israel Dagg and possibly Andy Ellis,at full strength.And that is key.These finals are decided sometimes through acts of sheer brilliance or acts of sheer stupidity.An experienced side like the Crusaders will absorb all the pressure and relish it.
Big finals are decided up front,the engine room,where all the grunt comes from.Here the Crusaders have a decided advantage.We have heard all about Quade Cooper and the dangerous Reds backs,but with flatfoot ball or ball taken going backwards its going to be hard for them to launch attacks.The scrum and lineout dominance of the Crusaders will win them this match.
Carter v Cooper? Its a no contest.Granted,Quade Cooper has been in sensational form,but he has hardly been put under any real pressure and with the ball going forward on the dry track of Suncorp he has looked the goods.But Carter has been in the big time since 2003 and has consistantly been the worlds best number 10 in all sorts of situations.Carters poise under pressure,his ability to read the game,his pinpoint kicking game allied with solid tough defence leaves him in a class of his own.Cooper lacks the same kicking game and direction,but most telling is his noticable lack of a big defensive game.And I am sure that SBW and Robbie Fruean will have taken note!Look for some early cuts and hits down Coopers channel on Saturday night!
So now,how do we make money here?The Crusaders are at $2.80 to win by 12-. Thats good money.The other interesting bet is to take the draw at halftime or fulltime at $9.This game will be tight and a draw at halftime will be no surprise.The other interesting option that the NZ TAB have is the highest scoring half and I'd take the second half as the highest scoring half at $1.70.The first half will be all about set piece dominance and sorting each other out,hence low scoring.As for points margin,take 2 bets.The Crusaders 1-7 at $4.25 and the Crusaders 8-14 at $5.Throw $20 on those 2 and you will double your money and more.
Good Luck and Go the Crusaders!
Straight Shooter-telling it like it is
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