Blues 2018

[rowan]

Umaga as a coach ??

Nothing against the guy. Highlight of my sports journalism career was hanging out with him and Christian Cullen and Bull Allen at a sports awards gala one evening. Swell bunch of guys. But I'd thought of the 3 Bull Allen was the only one likely to go onto a coaching career.

[cashead]

Umaga has a history of success, having elevated Counties Manukau into the NPC Premiership, with a lengthy (by modern standards) Shield reign as well as laying out the groundwork for them to be a solid, competitive side that should have a reasonable expectation of making the play-offs each season.

[J Dory]

I haven't watched the game, not sure I can bring myself to. Damn you Blues.

[rowan]

Umaga has a history of success, having elevated Counties Manukau into the NPC Premiership, with a lengthy (by modern standards) Shield reign as well as laying out the groundwork for them to be a solid, competitive side that should have a reasonable expectation of making the play-offs each season.

Wow, Counties had a shield reign? Must've been the first. I guess that would've elevated the guy into the realms of legendary provincial coaches. Anyway, I certainly didn't think it was all about Umaga. I've said before that when a team has a series of losing coaches with previous good records, that's a sure sign there is something wrong with the administration. That's Wales' problem nowadays, and it was certainly the Wellington rugby union's for a good long while. Changing your undies won't cure the hemorrhoids . . .

[cashead]

Honestly, they need to reduce Auckland's influence on the province. It's clear that they can't hack it any more, and that the talent in the region is north of the bridge.

Build the 2019 squad around North Harbour, with a decent addition of Northland and a smattering of Auckland boys. Northland punched above their weight, turning their patch in Whangarei into a fortress, and while they lost their share on the road, at least their opponents knew that they had to earn their wins.

North Harbour were the leading lights in the Auckland region, absolutely clowning Auckland at Eden Park, and making Canterbury earn their wins over them during the season. In fact, the only teams that were able to beat Harbour were the two finalists (Canterbury and Tasman), and the fact that the Naki ended their round robin with a 60-point beat down in a match where the Shield wasn't on the line does have a bit of a "what if?" about it.

Auckland, by contrast, were a fucking joke.

[morepork]

The fish rots from the head down, does it not? The ARU board doesn't exactly come across as a model of diversity. What are member criteria? Attending Grammar/Kings? Be a relative of a current member?

[rowan]

What happened to the ARU? It was by far the most progressive union in the country at the outset of professional rugby. Wellngton and many others were still in the dark ages . . .

[scuzzaman]

What happened to the ARU? It was by far the most progressive union in the country at the outset of professional rugby

You asked and answered yourself.

There's too much money in Auckland for it not to attract people whose only interest is power and money. Look, they had that psychopath clown working for them after he was chased out of Hamilton for scamming the whole city & council. It's a cesspit of corruption and general scummery.

There is also a negative side.

[morepork]

Fucking Jafas.

[J Dory]

That's a bit racialist.

Give us back Goodhue you poaching pricks.

[morepork]

He is quality.

[Lizard]

Are the Bluesers eady for a smack this weekend?

Chiefs Mana is coming...

[Spy]

Nothing makes me feel more like a fallen aristocrat than the Blues getting smacked over by the bogan proles of the Waikato. Even losing to Canterbury is better.

[Lizard]

You must be used to it by now. The last time the Blues beat the Chiefs:

Netflix was only available in the Americas.

The iPhone 4 had just come out.

"Friday" by Rebecca Black was in the NZ Top 40 (along with 2 Mumford and Sons tracks).

The All Blacks hadn't won a RWC in 24 years.

Damian MacKenzie was too young to get his learner's licence.

[morepork]

Nothing makes me feel more like a fallen aristocrat than the Blues getting smacked over by the bogan proles of the Waikato. Even losing to Canterbury is better.

Just sing the school song. It'll be OK.

[zer0]

And a chronic lack of any match intelligence costs the fuckwits once more.

EDIT: Though Akira Ioane has continued to churn through work, which is good news for the All Blacks.

[Lizard]

Chiefs. Mana.

[Spy]

Your peasant rebellion will ultimately be crushed. In good time.

[morepork]

Warriors won again. Five on the trot now.

[J Dory]

Warriors won again. Five on the trot now.

Do you have a way to watch? Can't find full replays anywhere.

[morepork]

Warriors won again. Five on the trot now.

Do you have a way to watch? Can't find full replays anywhere.

Sadly not boss. I watch live here when I can/am still up on a bender:

https://www.vipleague.lc


Marvel at RTS carving it up from the back and manhandling dudes on the line to save tries. Check also Fusitu'a raining them in. Issac Luke has rediscovered his mojo marshaling a classic Kiwi pack that takes it to the defense with extreme prejudice.

[Lizard]

Says a lot for the Bloos performance when a thread called Blues 2018 on a Union-specific board has become a Warriors thread.

Sunwolves will be licking their lips.

[J Dory]

We sophisticated Auckland types are capable of supporting more than one team and code. I appreciate the average Hamilton fan would find that challenging.

[rowan]

Says a lot for the Bloos performance when a thread called Blues 2018 on a Union-specific board has become a Warriors thread.

Sunwolves will be licking their lips.

Jafas might actually get a win this weekend!

[J Dory]

See if you can guess which letter represents fans from each NZ franchise!

Fan-sophistication-o-meter

Neanderthal =[a]===============[c]==[d]==============[e]= Rugby Sophisticate

a) Wears bib to prevent drool damaging keyboard when posting pics of tits and arse in funny images thread.
b) Enthusiastically rings cowbell.
c) Plays drinking game "possum".
d) Does chain skids.
e) Engages in intelligent conversation on rugby forums.