Yay; it's Friday again, and what's more, it's the last Friday before winter, not that you'd know that winter has not already officially arrived!! But it's a long weekend to boot, although we have a very important deadline looming work-wise, so we'll be working for most of it.
But anyway, it's time for the Friday Forum. There's a few things you might like to touch on this week - the budget, the S14 final, Richie McCaw's injury and the All Black squad to be named on Sunday - or anything else that takes your fancy. Because this is YOUR place, so come on in, make yourself at home and go for it!
The floor, as always, is yours ...
14 comments:
Please, please and please again Graham Henry - do not make Rodney So'oialo Captain in McCaw's absence.
So'oialo has shown in the two recent games against the Chiefs that he does not have the leadership skills to win tight games.
Muliaina has earned the right to captain the All Blacks while McCaw is out. He knows how to `close out' tight games.
Much as I respect So'oialo's ability to step up for big games, I tend to agree with you pdm - my only concern would be that at fullback, Muliaina is away from the action a bit, so you would need a good forward leader - so what about Brad Thorn?
You can’t have a fullback as All Black captain. Is nothing sacred any more?
But Rodney needs a rest, badly.
So what’s the solution? Probably the seal clubber.
And the other Question of the Day:
Bill English is mid-40s.
He went to 2ry school in the Hutt. He went to University somewhere north of Dipton.
He’s been in parliament, and living in Wellington, for close on 20 years now.
So why does he still have that accent?
It's also gypsy weekend - stock trucks and furniture removal vans taking dairy farm stock and staff from one job to another will be adding to the holiday weekend traffic.
very much looking forward to the long weekend. i suspect this may be the last weekend we have before the new arrival. because of this, my weekend will be spent watching star wars 5 & 6, answering questions about star wars 5 & 6 and finishing off the 'cardboard city' we've made out of an old fridge box.
i'll also be putting aside my auckland blues loyalty and supporting my provincial team; the chiefs in the super 14 final.
have a safe and relaxing weekend everyone.
We're off Roto-vegas for the wedding of one of the wifes best mates.
All I'm doing is tagging along for the beer and the food.
Still it will be nice to get away from Jaffa land even only if it is only for a couple of days.
What a beautiful day in Wellywood!
Crisp but bright and little Wind....
I think the Bull's will win, sad but ce la vie.
shoulda been the Hurricanes but they choked again.
I hope the weather holds as the list for the house and garden is long.
But if it doesn't then maybe a star wars anthology is on the cards. I know the kids would love it, Pizza and movies with NO ADS!
Now what to do with the wife??
MikeNZ
$1 Pies - onya mate! Who needs a PS3 when you've got a big appliance carton? As a society, we seem to have lost the ability to make our own fun.
Hope all goes well with the addition to your family when the time comes.
anon - aka mikenz
It was obvious two weeks ago that the Hurricanes were not going to beat the Chiefs last weekend. Let me summarise why:
1. Teams captained by So'oialo do not win pressure games.
2. The much vaunted midfield of Nonu and Smith have a history of being out played by `neville no names' in pressure games. This was just another instance.
3. Dumb and Dumber (Tialata and Schwalger) give away too many penalties and free kicks - they are the Waller and Spice of past Hurricanes teams.
4. The Chiefs are well led and have learned how to `shut down' games once they get in front.
I disagree pdm - the 'Canes' problems started further in that Nonu and Smith. If they want to compete next season, they need a seasoned first-five eighth. Willie Ripia is a handy NPC player, but wasn't quite on the pace in the games that counted, and Piri Weepu is a halfback. All the speculation today has been on the AB #7 position, but I reckon we have more problems at #10.
I think you are a bit tough on Ripia. Like most players in the Hurricanes Franchise area he has been made to `stand aside' while Wellington players have a go first. Only when they fail do outsiders like Ripia get a go - perhaps Coopers time is up. From what I have seen Ripia is as good as any other 10 in NZ this season -Donald excepted - he needed to be playing from game 1.
You are dead right about there being more problems at 10 rather than 7 in AB rugby. In fact at AB level I think, with Leonard and Carter injured, we have problems at 8, 9 and 10.
Not one of the contenders for 8 in the AB's provides me with any confidence.
At 9 we are a bit better when Leonard and Ellis are fit supported by Cowan and at a pinch Weepu. Watch Morland as an up and comer and I still rate Mathewson.
With Carter and Evans injured or gone the only option we have is Donald. God forbid he gets hurt because there is no one else that I can see. Slade from Canterbury may come through over time but Brett has slipped.
#10 isn't too bad pdm - remember that Luke McAllister will be available come Tri-Nations time. Certainly Stephen Brett's form has dropped right away.
Like you, I like Matthewson - I guess he'll get another opportunity in the Air NZ Cup if Weepu is on AB duty. And Toby Morland has certainly stepped up in the last few weeks when Brendon Leonard has been unavailable. Halfback is one position where we DO have depth!
McAlister I think is seen more as a 12 these days and he gives a lot more variety there than Nonu does. Still he may even be the best 10 as well with Carter out so you are right in that respect.
Post a Comment