Babbling 'brook

Front five is a big concern. Flanker is weirdly a concern . 13 is a big concern (Rieko to me is a winger). But coaching is the biggest issue without question. It's huge, and like you say, really unexpected. The All Blacks have always had world-leading backrows and some of the backrows they have fie...

100% agree. And to see the players who actually are good be "infected" by the malaise to the point that they're playing tier 2 level stuff ball-in-hand is really worrying for NZ. 'Infected' is the right word. Ardie Savea, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Aaron Smith and Sam Whitelock are pro...

Ray Donovan wrote: ↑August 2nd, 2022, 12:15 am Going to Marseille for €7.99 from Shannon might top that one.

Fair play; was that by balloon How much did it cost you to get back

I notice that Ryanair flights out on the 9th return on the 11th; are already approximately 3x the cost of the previous weekend, and the following weekend. My guess is a Friday night match. It's very unlikely that Ryanair have any inside track on this. Much more likely their algorithm is just reacti...

I notice that Ryanair flights out on the 9th return on the 11th; are already approximately 3x the cost of the previous weekend, and the following weekend. My guess is a Friday night match.

I see Cormac Daly in the training pics. Did Cormac not move to Connacht ? To be fair I haven't kept up whether he's played AIL last season? He was always a 'big unit''; looks even bigger. Another second row option? Two spells at Connacht - once in their academy and then a short term deal in October...

I see Cormac Daly in the training pics. Did Cormac not move to Connacht ? To be fair I haven't kept up whether he's played AIL last season? He was always a 'big unit''; looks even bigger. Another second row option?

Very interesting article on Nienaber's selection practices: https://boksquad.co.za/article/how-the-springboks-are-selected interesting article. Good insight into how they assess individuals vs their position, roles in that position etc. but not much given away about the Bok gameplan and what the co...

Very interesting article on Nienaber's selection practices: https://boksquad.co.za/article/how-the-springboks-are-selected interesting article. Good insight into how they assess individuals vs their position, roles in that position etc. but not much given away about the Bok gameplan and what the co...

I know it's tongue in cheek but we don't need to fear being number one or assume it means we're going to somehow underperform through over-confidence. It's time we feel comfortable, coaches, players and supporters (and above all the Ger Gilroys) that we're an elite world side. They say that staying...

LeRouxIsPHat wrote: ↑July 18th, 2022, 4:23 pm But Scott Barrett wasn't? WR need to get a f%~king grip.

or Jonny Hill (who is a dose)

I thought Larmour did enough to claim the 23 jersey ahead of Earls. While Earls has experience (98?) caps, Larmour has a not too shabby 30+. Is it his unpredictability that's swinging it? I can’t see Earls making the 23 at RWC with everyone fit. Even Larmour might not.

The law needs to change. It's too open to interpretation, abuse and controversy. Players and referees need to know where they stand. Failed intercepts which result in a knock-on should be penalties. All this stuff about hands up, hands down, ball up, ball down, single hand, two hands, "a reaso...

The law needs to change. It's too open to interpretation, abuse and controversy. Players and referees need to know where they stand. Failed intercepts which result in a knock-on should be penalties. All this stuff about hands up, hands down, ball up, ball down, single hand, two hands, "a reaso...

The law amendment that came in recently leaves no doubt - whether it's silly or not, if you go for a ball one handed and don't catch it you're getting yellow. The one I was annoyed about was Prendergast - can't recall the last time I saw a yellow card for 'not back 10' on a quick penalty Was that n...

Lots of players had excellent games, today; but Niall Scannell has really performed so much better than I've seen this season for Munster. I thought he was excellent. On the PT I'd agree with RTBs view; 13m out with JOB (who's no slouch) both closer to the try line than the MAB, and facing/moving th...

Meanwhile; Georgia beat Italy 28-19; first time they've beaten a Tier 1 Nation.

I rewatched the first half there, and it is staggering how much Peyper missed or chose not to see. We won, so i'm going to have a real b*tch and moan about it. 1] The ruck clearout/tackle by Papali'i on Porter was called by Dickson on the side line; 2] the TMO called the Fainga'anuka charge into Ha...

If ROG was a turnstile; at least he was one of those old style cast iron ones that occasionally stick. Carbery is like one in Sandymount Station, permanently open on game day; or if it isn't touch yer leapcard and swishhh!!! open sesame.

Ireland doing what we can. Beating NZ at home is a huge psychological barrier and we've overcome it. Supremely proud of all that group and still confident we can improve. One seriously niggling question is: how Retallick wasn't immediately replaced by the Indepentdent doctor? The second part is how...