All Blacks v. Springboks is probably going to be the game to watch. Just a hunch.

[cashead]

What's the word on Retallika?

Dislocated shoulder, but no structural damage, so there's a non-zero chance he'll make the World Cup.

Basically, clearly hurt like hell, but luckily, it could've been a lot worse.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all ... ous-injury

[Silvercloud]

That's good news Cas. Upsetting to see him in such pain.

[Scrumhead]

Yep. Sadly, a lot of world class players are already missing the RWC, so I’d rather not see Retallick join that list.

An 8 week recovery would be well ahead of schedule for a dislocated shoulder, but if he’s looking like he could make it in 10-12, NZ could (and should) take him for the knock-out stages (QFs are 19th & 20th October)

Let’s face it, while their opening game with SA is massive for who comes first or second, it’s still the only big game they have in their group. They should win the rest at a canter, so they should be fine to make do without Retallick.

Interesting article from Rugby Pass, if he doesn’t make it though: https://www.rugbypass.com/news/all-blac ... ick-injury

[Banquo]

Yep. Sadly, a lot of world class players are already missing the RWC, so I’d rather not see Retallick join that list.

An 8 week recovery would be well ahead of schedule for a dislocated shoulder, but if he’s looking like he could make it in 10-12, NZ could (and should) take him for the knock-out stages (QFs are 19th & 20th October)

Let’s face it, while their opening game with SA is massive for who comes first or second, it’s still the only big game they have in their group. They should win the rest at a canter, so they should be fine to make do without Retallick.

Interesting article from Rugby Pass, if he doesn’t make it though: https://www.rugbypass.com/news/all-blac ... ick-injury

Who is out already, out of interest.

[Puja]

Yep. Sadly, a lot of world class players are already missing the RWC, so I’d rather not see Retallick join that list.

An 8 week recovery would be well ahead of schedule for a dislocated shoulder, but if he’s looking like he could make it in 10-12, NZ could (and should) take him for the knock-out stages (QFs are 19th & 20th October)

Let’s face it, while their opening game with SA is massive for who comes first or second, it’s still the only big game they have in their group. They should win the rest at a canter, so they should be fine to make do without Retallick.

Interesting article from Rugby Pass, if he doesn’t make it though: https://www.rugbypass.com/news/all-blac ... ick-injury

Who is out already, out of interest.

Nick Civetta? Florin Vlaicu? Danny Cipriani?

Puja

[Mellsblue]

I'd take him at 10 for us in a heartbeat.

He's no Iceman

correct

Who is. Even the iceman isn’t an iceman.

[Scrumhead]

Yep. Sadly, a lot of world class players are already missing the RWC, so I’d rather not see Retallick join that list.

An 8 week recovery would be well ahead of schedule for a dislocated shoulder, but if he’s looking like he could make it in 10-12, NZ could (and should) take him for the knock-out stages (QFs are 19th & 20th October)

Let’s face it, while their opening game with SA is massive for who comes first or second, it’s still the only big game they have in their group. They should win the rest at a canter, so they should be fine to make do without Retallick.

Interesting article from Rugby Pass, if he doesn’t make it though: https://www.rugbypass.com/news/all-blac ... ick-injury

Who is out already, out of interest.

Nick Civetta? Florin Vlaicu? Danny Cipriani?

Puja

The ones that spring to mind for me are Dan Leavy and Damien McKenzie. Two players I would have liked to have seen in the RWC. Ellis Jenkins is another who may yet make it.

I’m worried about Nowell and Mako too.

[cashead]

Sean O'Brien as well. Mind you, the last time he was at a World Cup, his tournament ended early because he suddenly got stupid and punched a Frenchman in the stomach for... reasons.

[Banquo]

Who is out already, out of interest.

Nick Civetta? Florin Vlaicu? Danny Cipriani?

Puja

The ones that spring to mind for me are Dan Leavy and Damien McKenzie. Two players I would have liked to have seen in the RWC. Ellis Jenkins is another who may yet make it.

I’m worried about Nowell and Mako too.

Not sure I'd call that a lot of world class players.

[cashead]

So anyway

Sonny Bill - he played well. I'm sure we'll have people screaming about how crap he was and he didn't do anything and blah blah blah, but the fact is, considering it was his first actual game in quite some time, he did reasonably well. The Springbok defenders were quick to try to contain him, as he had to constantly contend with 3 or 4 tacklers at a time (some of whom were offside half the game), with 11 carries, 7 successful passes out of 8, a 55% success rate at getting over the gainline (which is quite good considering the circumstances), and had a 100% accuracy rate in his tackling, nailing 8 out of 8.

I'd also argue that someone like Ma'a Nonu probably would have offered more in the final quarter than Bridge or Laumape (and in current form, Havili would offer more than Jordie Barrett in an identical role, but there you go).

[Digby]

He's no Iceman

correct

Who is. Even the iceman isn’t an iceman.

That's cold

[morepork]

Just cool it with the puns.

[cashead]

Chill out.

[Doorzetbornandbred]

your like a load of immigrants trying to create a song about a land of ice and snow.

[Banquo]

your like a load of immigrants trying to create a song about a land of ice and snow.

went down like a Led balloon