Rugby...what rugby?

[short-circuit]

Rugby has lost the excitement for me.

Last night I watched the League and enjoyed a 7 try to 6 (40-32) win for the team I support. No need for 4 try bonus points, or 5 points for a try.

Totally. And Brisbane look like they're peaking at the right time too BTW.

[Kendog]

Totally. And Brisbane look like they're peaking at the right time too BTW.

Go the Broncos

[James Deuce]

You say you look forward to another NZ choke in the World Cup. THIS TOURNAMENT IS 2 YEARS AWAY. I think you will find that a lot of talent being blooded in the Air New Zealand Cup will be going on tour in November with the AllBlacks.

You're kidding right? The only team that was at the top of their game was the '87 one. Ever since then the teams fielded in the World Cup have comprised 80% old hacks held on to two years too long and 20% n00bs who have their future chances ruined by not being good enough to fulfill their own potential and get punished for being part of a losing World Cup side.

I don't see Graham Henry breaking that mould unless he has 30 players hiding in the wings who care more about being a team member than walking billboard of self-promotion.

Oh yeah, Richie McCaw is too fat.

[ynot slow]

You're kidding right? The only team that was at the top of their game was the '87 one. Ever since then the teams fielded in the World Cup have comprised 80% old hacks held on to two years too long and 20% n00bs who have their future chances ruined by not being good enough to fulfill their own potential and get punished for being part of a losing World Cup side.

I don't see Graham Henry breaking that mould unless he has 30 players hiding in the wings who care more about being a team member than walking billboard of self-promotion.

Oh yeah, Richie McCaw is too fat.

Bloody true re 1987,we also got our arses kicked by the South African rebel tour,that was supposed to mean the "baby blacks" would be hammered and the has been greedy bastards who went to play for dough would be immediately forgiven after the French had beat us.Funny but a few guys named Fitzy,Kirwin,Shelford etc made their marks.

There are people in the squads who are good players against the Irish,Wales,Scotland,Italy and dare i say poms,but against the true top 2 teams(out of top 3 which NZ is included)they may be wanting,if they garner experience by world cup time,because of the loss they are thrown away.Case and point for me is Toeava,I haven't been a fan,but last night when he came on added much needed punch to midfield,maybe he is one of those who have been persavered with and developed his play.I like the fact that we have a few under 21 guys to blood,namely Cruden,can he step up I believe so,will he do it by 2011 not sure,would he be dropped if we fail,I think so.

[Dean]

[/QUOTE] Hammered once again[/QUOTE]
Now were talking
[/QUOTE] all the more excruciating.[/QUOTE]

[/QUOTE]He had a shocker overall last night[/QUOTE]

[/QUOTE]Single-handedly[/QUOTE]

[/QUOTE] the gap is in reality quite a bit wider than that.[/QUOTE]

[/QUOTE]He had his arse felt yet again.[/QUOTE]
Bit to much BrokeBack mountain there buddy, that was intense

[Grahameeboy]

I think the problem is that NZ has such expectations of the AB....almost an arrogance...like with the last World Cup and they are often very critical of other teams..again arrogance.

In some ways the players seem have a "playboy" status and often Rugby seems to be 3rd place..why do they advertise such a lot?

Wilkinson is a multi millionaire yet he puts rugby first despite injuries....a lot of the AB's who earn a lot less don't seem to have that.

The main probem I think is that the AB's are not motivated by their leaders...

Look at the faces of Chelsea players after beating Stoke..all rich beyond our dreams but still enjoying the game like school boys..

Just googled Graham Henry and after 5 pages....no smiles....and how can the AB's be coached by a guy who as far as I can tell only played Cricket and was until the 90's a Headmaster

[Headbanger]

Great game of rugby, Enjoyed every minute of it.

Against a lesser team we would have done alright ,even in the first 40, But the boks, awesome, Best team in the world and well deserving of their World Champion status.

[Headbanger]

I think the problem is that NZ has such expectations of the AB....almost an arrogance...like with the last World Cup and they are often very critical of other teams..again arrogance.

In some ways the players seem have a "playboy" status and often Rugby seems to be 3rd place..why do they advertise such a lot?

Wilkinson is a multi millionaire yet he puts rugby first despite injuries....a lot of the AB's who earn a lot less don't seem to have that.

The main probem I think is that the AB's are not motivated by their leaders...

Look at the faces of Chelsea players after beating Stoke..all rich beyond our dreams but still enjoying the game like school boys..

Just googled Graham Henry and after 5 pages....no smiles....and how can the AB's be coached by a guy who as far as I can tell only played Cricket and was until the 90's a Headmaster

That arrogance about the All Blacks you described is apparent in your entire post. You seem to think that because we aren't always the best in the world that we are failing on every level.

We should be glad we face competition of the calibre that we do. Not writing off the players and coaches because they dont always beat every team. Whats the bet that rugby is the number one driving force behind all All Blacks, and its not about being a playboy?

Just look at what it takes to become an All Black, A lifetime of dedication and focus, and thats to get into one team for a few short years if your supremely talented and lucky, Not a league of times like the soccer.

[Pussy]

Oh yeah, Richie McCaw is too fat.

Yeah, but he's got a HAWT missus.....

[Grahameeboy]

That arrogance about the All Blacks you described is apparent in your entire post. You seem to think that because we aren't always the best in the world that we are failing on every level.

We should be glad we face competition of the calibre that we do. Not writing off the players and coaches because they dont always beat every team. Whats the bet that rugby is the number one driving force behind all All Blacks, and its not about being a playboy?

Just look at what it takes to become an All Black, A lifetime of dedication and focus, and thats to get into one team for a few short years if your supremely talented and lucky, Not a league of times like the soccer.

I agree with a lot of what you say but they did expect to win the last WC...was just talking about the AB's, no other levels.

I actually think that the AB's have the talent to be the best...just feel its down to Leadership....ut

Suspect it takes a lot to be a footballer somehow..just they have longer as they don't suffer the same knocks etc...but I was talking about their passion which I am not sure is driven into the AB's as much as it could be..leadership...I mean at a game Graham Henry is in a glass box...

[wickle]

Really ?? I must have watched a different game, the game I saw was only lost by 3 points.
The second half the AB's did well, not becasue the SA went to sleep but because they played well.......................give them some credit ya miserable bastard

Because they started to play as one team not fifteen different teams

[PrincessBandit]

I think all you chappies should start watching netball instead.
No, not beach volley ball, I said netball.

[98tls]

2 more years with Wallabies will be enough for Deans to turn them into world cup winners for sure.Henry n co wont even have the lineout sorted by then.Watched the excuse conference after match,pretty much the same lame shit he came out with after our exit from the world cupBiggest mistake (besides not winning a lineout in the first 1/2) was playing Stephen Donald.

[Headbanger]

I think all you chappies should start watching netball instead.
No, not beach volley ball, I said netball.

I do already, Hell, I'd watch just about anything that consisted of a bunch of fit ladies in tiny skirts. Pity the cameras don't go for the under wear shots any more.

And I think there is room to introduce a little kissing and rubbing into the game.

[Headbanger]

I agree with a lot of what you say but they did expect to win the last WC...was just talking about the AB's, no other levels..

.

True enough, It was a massively arrogant campaign, and it failed miserably. Which is an excellent reason to have a superior team beat us, rather then a lesser team show us up for our arrogance.