Ilona Maher on verge of major step towards 15s Rugby World Cup

Do you mean not an issue? I'd agree players have pulled out when by rights they should be allowed to contest, that was my point. No, no (legit) access that I've found I'm afraid. Kind of shitty as if it was much easier to access I'm sure I would have started to wathc a few replays.

Seems like it's stopped being broadcast in South Africa as well. Desperate for money or due to this new player rights bargaining that's been going on?

I think Steven Hansen was on a downward spiral with his lack of forward thinking at that point, of which I'm not sure I would criticise any other coach of before him. It continued up until this year with the complete reset Razor has orchestrated obviously. I was wondering if they hadn't of been so poor (and this includes NZR in their pursuit of selling the team) in their prep for that game, would we have still seen and Ireland team with a shutout against them leading into this 2024 rematch?

Obviously I don't think they could have continued shutting out a very strong team, or that the trajectory's of either side would have been altered drastically if the result went the other way, but I do think it was a key moment for their futures.

What 'touchy' stuff you witnessed? I highly doubt anyone remained touchy about that team. I don't think any of this tours teams will be going in thinking they are winning it. You could argue that was the vibe Ireland gave off going into the quarter final, but they won't make that mistake again, if they did then. France and Argentina certainly didn't give that vibe in the only other recent NZ loses.

Back in the day it wouldn't have happened because there'd be a lot of quality backups floating around in club rugby. Now they're all playing professionally overseas.

Completely different to this example and what you're replying to, again.

He has also not chosen to switch allegiance nor has he been selected for any team that would force him to chose at this young age. I would even hope that in the next few years SR would change their eligibility slightly so that he wouldn't need to either.

If what you are replying to JT about is a factory then it is also a completely separate scenario to your kneejerk reaction.

I've seen chest-thumping from you around SA's win ratio, and you are literally criticising England based on their win ratio today, in the same comment as you credit me for realising that win ratios don't matter.

Yes, indeed. Because you are a good example of someone who has made a big deal about SAs win ratio between world cups. Now that England is scraping by at 50% (and SA is on 80%) you’re downplaying win ratios. Make up your mind.

In 2022 Eddie was coach, so the numbers you've shared show that the win ratio you care so much about has improved every year under Borthwick.

Wow. Looking great. 56%

England aren't the best team of all time.

We know.

but their results fall far short of that outside of world cups.

We’re outside of a World Cup. What’s your verdict on them now?

Bottom line - it’s going to be a tough November for England Finn.

England's attack was poor against New Zealand. It was good against Japan, because they gave Smith space to run, but the next most recent test started by Smith at 10 was the absolutely dire 1st test against Wales last summer. Before that was the terrible loss against France in the 2023 six nations.

Lets compare the points scored by England in the most recent tests started by Ford and Smith at 10 against each tier 1 side:

Ireland:

Smith 15, Ford 23

South Africa:

Smith 13, Ford 12

New Zealand:

Smith 17, Ford 19

France:

Smith 10, Ford 31

Argentina:

Smith 29, Ford 27

Scotland:

Smith 23, Ford 21

Italy:

Smith 33, Ford 27

Australia:

Smith 21, Ford 40

Wales:

Smith 9, Ford 16

Thats 5 matchups where Ford comes on top, and 4 where Smith does. The points average is 18.9 for Smith and 24 for Ford.

Looking just at matches against other top 5 sides, its 3 to 1 for Ford, and points averages of 13.8 for Smith and 21.3 for Ford.

We've established previously that you don't understand how the world rankings work. It isn't possible for easy matches to inflate your score, that isn't how its calculated.

I'm sorry you've had to "endure" people talking about win ratios. I don't know who was doing that or how it relates to this conversation. I've seen chest-thumping from you around SA's win ratio, and you are literally criticising England based on their win ratio today, in the same comment as you credit me for realising that win ratios don't matter. I guess its a case of pot-calling-the-kettle-black, where you're the pot and the kettle is imaginary.

Its strange you're so obsessed with win-ratios. Its also strange you don't know when Borthwick became England coach. In 2022 Eddie was coach, so the numbers you've shared show that the win ratio you care so much about has improved every year under Borthwick.

England aren't the best team of all time. SA players have announced that they believe they are the best team of all time, but their results fall far short of that outside of world cups. I want England to do better in world cups and in the years in between, but I'm not judging them against the 11-15 all blacks.

Sure I guess, but the facts are the facts, they were disgracefully awarded 7 points by bird brain Barnes & we lost by 2, ending our WC hopes. You can't tell me you & Irish supporters (well any supporters) that you'd have trouble accepting that.?