Official Rugby Thread

[age_master]

Huge blow for the Wallabies with Mortlock out for thr Blacks game

[ripper868]

Huge blow for the Wallabies with Mortlock out for thr Blacks game

Cross to play outside and Tahu to the bench?

Baptism of fire for Tahu if that happens, and for Cross as well

[Francis]

To get into a Bledisloe mood, I'm gonna make an all-time team comprised of All Blacks and Wallabies...

1. Topo Rodriguez
2. Sean Fitzpatrick
3. Ken Gray
4. Colin Meads
5. John Eales
6. Viliami 'Ofahengaue
7. Michael Jones
8. Zinzan Brooke
9. Ken Catchpole
10. Mark Ella
11. David Campese
12. Tim Horan
13. Trevor Allen
14. John Kirwan
15. Christian Cullen

Anyway it's a terrible blow for the Wallabies losing Mortlock. He's their best player and he always rises to the occasion. I admire Mortlock because of his physical courage and it's so bloody hard to keep him behind the advantage line. Plays his best rugby against New Zealand too, like Matt Burke.

[Craig]

Apparently TIMANA Tahu was interested in playing for the Crusaders in the Super 14 and to play for the All Blacks (Kiwi dad IIRC) as well. Read it today in the paper and it is on the fixsports website, but my question is, would he have been good enough to play for the AB's anyway?

[BoyBrumby]

Apparently TIMANA Tahu was interested in playing for the Crusaders in the Super 14 and to play for the All Blacks (Kiwi dad IIRC) as well. Read it today in the paper and it is on the fixsports website, but my question is, would he have been good enough to play for the AB's anyway?

I haven't seen enough of him in the senior code to say with any conviction, tbh. He's too late tho, isn't he? I'm pretty sure playing for Aus "A" in the Pacific Cup means the ABs are forever closed to him.

[Craig]

I haven't seen enough of him in the senior code to say with any conviction, tbh. He's too late tho, isn't he? I'm pretty sure playing for Aus "A" in the Pacific Cup means the ABs are forever closed to him.

This was 18 months ago he contacted the NZRFU and Robbie Deans about the possibility of playing for the Crusaders. Sorry I should of made myself more clear

Full story

[Smudge]

The NZRU would have never offered him enough anyway - couldn't be offered more than a standard Super 14 contract until he proved himself. In fact, I'd be surprised if they'd even allow him to do that - he'd probably have to sign with a provincial union first and go from there.

[BoyBrumby]

Flutey was known as "Flakey Flutey". Had matchwinning abilities, but really didn't have the brain for a top-level 10. A big left boot, but I didn't rate his organisational skills.

He also got into some trouble in Argentina on a Colts tour - luckily escaped an assault conviction.

If he managed to make the England side and he ever faced an AB team, NZers would be laughing all the way to 50 points. He is NOT international-class - not even close. And 10 (assuming that's where he still plays) isn't really a position of weakness for you lot when Hodgson, Barkley and Jonny (if he's ever right again) are fit. And no, I didn't forget Goode - I just didn't include him.

Just thought I'd post this in a "life reflecting CW" kinda way. The England elite squad (from the BBC):

Forwards: Tim Payne (Wasps), Andrew Sheridan (Sale), Matt Stevens (Bath), Phil Vickery (Wasps), George Chuter (Leicester), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), Lee Mears (Bath), Steve Borthwick (Saracens), Nick Kennedy (London Irish), Tom Palmer (Wasps), Simon Shaw (Wasps), Tom Croft (Leicester), James Haskell (Wasps), Lewis Moody (Leicester), Tom Rees (Wasps), Jordan Crane (Leicester), Luke Narraway (Gloucester).

Backs: Josh Lewsey (Wasps), Mathew Tait (Sale), Paul Sackey (Wasps), James Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), Tom Varndell (Leicester), Dan Hipkiss (Leicester), Jamie Noon (Newcastle), Olly Barkley (Gloucester), Toby Flood (Leicester), Riki Flutey (Wasps), Shane Geraghty (London Irish), Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle), Danny Care (Harlequins), Harry Ellis (Leicester), Pete Richards (London Irish).

Qualifies for us in September, apparently. Just hope the "50 points" bit is wrong.

[Craig]

The NZRU would have never offered him enough anyway - couldn't be offered more than a standard Super 14 contract until he proved himself. In fact, I'd be surprised if they'd even allow him to do that - he'd probably have to sign with a provincial union first and go from there.

That aside, would he have been good enough to play at the top level for New Zealand?

[ripper868]

That aside, would he have been good enough to play at the top level for New Zealand?

How longs a piece of string?

[Smudge]

That aside, would he have been good enough to play at the top level for New Zealand?

Who knows? I'd much rather have a young guy like Kahui or Nonu, than a tired old leaguie like Tahu in the backline - he's a short-term answer even if he's potentially better than Kahui at the moment.

[_Ed_]

Why do the ABs never do Kapa o Pongo anymore?

[Craig]

Australia 10 - 5.

[_Ed_]

17-12 at half time. Fascinating half that.

[James]

Half time, and the All Blacks have been poor for pretty much the whole half given the amount of possession we've had.

Credit to the Wallabies, some great defence from them, and seem to have some good tactics.

Can someone teach Andrew Ellis how to pass and distribute the ball please? He's driving me crazy!!!