Challenge Cup : le LOU finit par croquer le Zebre

Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

JW 15 minutes ago

As pointed out by Nick and the French posters their players can’t cope with both (even sharing the July window like they have been), players are still too exhausted even through the season. And if the french government is going to crackdown even further on them they’re simply going to have/want to change for their own good.

WR just has to get involved to ensure that’s it’s enough to also not weaken the int game (France excluding their best).

Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

JW 21 minutes ago

Dmac passing to space wide, width, and the Barretts passing to space behind, depth (to hide where they go but of course they always go wide, very deceptively lol not).

'The Wallabies need to convert much better - or Melbourne could be much worse'

Brett McKay 32 minutes ago

nice comment SK, thanks for taking the time..

8 Go to comments

HS 44 minutes ago

Nobody runs the show like Beauden - Why the All Blacks need Barrett now, and at Rugby World Cup 2027

A long read of dmac hate and bb who is just so great… And I just don’t get it, bb made so many mistakes… Couldn’t even find touch with some of his penalties… Hardly ever distributed the ball down the backline and kicked the ball straight into opposition hands for most of the series… I don’t think dmac had the best game ever on Saturday but this is ridiculous, his kicking was actually more accurate and tactical… The problem we had on Saturday was that we kept trying to run through the forwards at the line rather than spread the ball into space when it mattered… I personally think dmac last week was better than bb the week before… The hate this guy gets over and over is just ridiculous…

Test hooker identifies 'almost that All Blacks aura of old' in French sweep

RC 49 minutes ago

ABs gonna bring the boks back down to earth I'm sorry

Slaughter at the garden and then pile on the misery in Wellington!!!

4 Go to comments

SK 57 minutes ago

Nobody runs the show like Beauden - Why the All Blacks need Barrett now, and at Rugby World Cup 2027

Beauden Barrett is an exceptional player but Richie Mo’unga will be back in 2026 and will be a major force come 2027. Razor cannot resist Richie Mo’unga who was a big part of the Crusaders success in Super Rugby. Barrett can add value in the squad with his experience and quality but age will take its toll on a player whose X-Factor will only diminish. Yes he may have the vision to unlock space with his kicks, he may retain his killer pass but his pace and physicality will wane and he may make a line break but also may not be able to capitalise on it because he lacks the physical attributes. Come 2027 I think he will be one or 2 years too old. If anything the All Blacks may be better off giving more opportunities to their alternatives in the near future like D-Mac or Love. Right now he starts the match against the Boks at Eden Park and in the Rugby Championship he will be valuable but the All Blacks must look beyond him come the Grand Slam tour.

Two All Blacks praised as 'potential superstars' in France whitewash

Jacque 1 hour ago

Talking about commentators?what?

Mick Cleary: 'The soul was not lit up by underwhelming Lions first Test'

JP 1 hour ago

Totally agree with the comment below about the MCG being a very poor place to watch rugby. Don’t expect many local (ex-)rugby fans to attend. As a foundation member of the Melbourne Rebels I will be boycotting everything Rugby Australia touches. If you don’t understand this attitude, I suggest you read: “A Year in the Life and Death of the Melbourne Rebels“ by Geoff Parkes.

7 Go to comments

ck 1 hour ago

Two All Blacks praised as 'potential superstars' in France whitewash

Your wrong, 2 Sheehan 9 du pont 12 de Allende

The stat in which the Springboks outperformed everyone fivefold in July

SK 1 hour ago

The Boks up the ante physically compared to almost any other team in World Rugby but I agree that the excitement should be tempered. They played against some lower opponents and never really got into top gear. They put them all away though but the Wallabies and All Blacks will provide stern tests

1 Go to comments

d 1 hour ago

Nobody runs the show like Beauden - Why the All Blacks need Barrett now, and at Rugby World Cup 2027

agree, and you’d have to reject RM for the same reason; I think Love will prove to be the 10 we have been looking for.

'The Wallabies need to convert much better - or Melbourne could be much worse'

SK 1 hour ago

Great article Brett that sums up everything so well. The Wallabies were undercooked coming into this match. They have had such a low key build up and really needed at least one test more. It showed when they were unable to take their chances and conceded several easy chances to the Lions which saw the Lions sprint into a 19 point lead. This game was unexpected. The Wallabies had the better of the stats and nobody thought that would be the case. It was way tighter than the score suggests and I dont believe the Lions took their foot off the pedal. They just lost all fluency, made too many mistakes and the Wallabies found some cohesion and momentum. Both the Lions and Australia must improve. One feels with their pedigree and quality experienced stars the Lions will be more likely to make that improvement. The back 3 of Louw, Keenan and Freeman need to be better and their bench need to stand up. The Wallabies need a fast start. If they get it they can put the pressure on this Lions side which seems to struggle to wrest momentum back when it turns. Keen to see how the second test unfolds.

8 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

I don’t think my comments about New Zealand are unfair.

Just inaccurate?

Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

JW 1 hour ago

He’s playing the long game.

Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

JW 1 hour ago

Yes I’ve often though 7s was a dull variant of the game by comparison.

I didn’t think Forests ideas where much chop but was really looking for their evolution as I think even the 15 man game could be a lot more fun. He probably paved the way for R365.

Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

JW 1 hour ago

Would have thought it would help international rugby. What makes you think it won’t work?

I’ve always thought 7s was just a way WR got developing nations into the game. I stopped watching it when it went independent from 15s (no longer had the best players) but thought it was doing a good job for those who don’t follow 15s?

It’s just a money dump, a way to raise the profile and get more numbers, if you think its toning back now (I actually really like the format changes and think it will enhance the whole scene) it’s probably because they think its done its job.

Two All Blacks praised as 'potential superstars' in France whitewash

Over the sideline 2 hours ago

Haha this is where we differ. I’m happy with our 10, happy fir WJ and Reiko as wingers with love at 15. Also Happy to see another 10 or 2 come onto the squad tho.

Id like to see more NZ15 games to give guys like Lio-willie some more time at a level above SR. He looks the goods so far tho. Kirifi started looking comfortable in the ABs jersey toward the end of the Hamilton test I felt.

Nobody runs the show like Beauden - Why the All Blacks need Barrett now, and at Rugby World Cup 2027

johnz 2 hours ago

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure BB was exempted from that rule himself last time round, because he was off contract in Japan. So if it’s a bendable rule for BB, it should be for others.

Two All Blacks praised as 'potential superstars' in France whitewash

GP 2 hours ago

Some good points. The criticism aimed at Richie Mo’unga is largely based on resentfulness at his success with the Crusaders. Outside of NZ he is rated highly. I agree with Steve Gordon too. Fabian Holland has a huge future, stepping in to test rugby seamlessly. Fletcher Newell’s scrummaging went next level with the Crusaders and he has carried on like that for the All Blacks.