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Super Rugby PacificBluesChiefsCrusadersHighlandersHurricanes

The Short Ball - s04e19 - The Blues have 9 + 10 problems

This week on The Short Ball: Why is The Blues’ season always next year? Are the Highlanders in with a chance at Super Rugby victory? And Ali dishes the yarns on Dan Carter’s ab committee.

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Listen in to the entire episode below or watch on RPTV plus subscribe on iTunes here so you never miss a thing.

Rugby Australia’s one man problem:

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Trending on RugbyPass

1

Ex-Wallaby explains why All Blacks aren’t at ‘panic stations’ under Razor

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Wallaroos captain reflects on Black Ferns’ success with sevens stars

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Initial Immanuel Feyi-Waboso injury update does not sound promising

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Leinster player ratings vs Connacht | 2024/25 URC

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Fissler Confidential: One England international in, one out for Bath

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Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

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Comments on RugbyPass

I
Icefarrow 4 minutes ago
2024 in review: Beauden Barrett’s brilliance sparks thrilling All Blacks win

Because Robertson is allergic to risk-taking. Perofeta and Plummer were never once trialled at First Five-Eight, Beauden was kept at Fullback for like half the season despite having close to ten players over the year who can play that position.

2 Go to comments
J
JW 7 minutes ago
Bernard Foley steals spotlight in blow to New Zealand coaching duo

How can we watch the game?

2 Go to comments
J
JW 9 minutes ago
2024 in review: Beauden Barrett’s brilliance sparks thrilling All Blacks win

Ahh, all the missed opportunities this season. Why oh why did Beauden not just remain used like this to see if he could have reproduced these types of performances?

2 Go to comments
C
CR 17 minutes ago
Bernard Foley steals spotlight in blow to New Zealand coaching duo

Laurel and Hardy.

2 Go to comments
J
JW 20 minutes ago
Watch: Ex-NRL cult hero scores a try on Japan Rugby League One debut

Where can we watch this?

1 Go to comments
O
OJohn 2 hours ago
Does the next Wallabies coach have to be an Australian?

No, bugger off Schmidt, stop interfering in Australian rugby to keep us down

Your selections are rubbish and your game plan is unAustralian. Go back to NZ. Oh wait, you're actually still there ......

124 Go to comments
C
Cantab 3 hours ago
Ex-Wallaby explains why All Blacks aren’t at ‘panic stations’ under Razor

Which is why more depth needs development. There are are several players waiting in the mix who will be good to great ABs. Our bench replacements this year were not always up to the mark

5 Go to comments
S
SC 3 hours ago
Ex-Wallaby explains why All Blacks aren’t at ‘panic stations’ under Razor

Disagree.


The challenge for the All Blacks now that they have 7 of 8 starting forwards locked in and all but one bench forward (only one loose forward and bench loosie to settle on) is to sort out the starting backline as only 9 Roigard, 12 J. Barrett, 11 Clarke and 15 Jordan had good to outstanding seasons in 2024. All the other backs were inconsistent or poor and question marks going into 2025.

5 Go to comments
D
DA 5 hours ago
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu suffers new injury setback

he should not be playing 12. He should be playing 10 and team managers should stop playing players out of position to accommodate libbok.

2 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 7 hours ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Aus hasn’t owned the bled in 21 years.

176 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 7 hours ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Dupont!!

176 Go to comments
J
Jobe 9 hours ago
Leinster player ratings vs Connacht | 2024/25 URC

I just can't agree with 8.5 for Ross Byrne. A 6 at best I would think.

2 Go to comments
B
Barry 10 hours ago
Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

I wouldn't take it personally that you didn't hear from Gatland, chief.


It's likely he just doesn't have your phone number.


You can't polish a turd. No coach can change that team at the moment.

12 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 10 hours ago
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu suffers new injury setback

Uhh, he was playing inside centre?


Do you understand the role of a 12?

2 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 11 hours ago
'Springbok Galacticos can't go it alone for trophy-hunting Sharks'

"aside from winning RWCs and playing some really good rugby?"


What a doos.

11 Go to comments
E
Ed the Duck 11 hours ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Well if you’re correct in that assertion then it blows up all of the numbers in the original post that came from, do you recognise the overall number or even the 300k residual for senior male player numbers in SA?


Tbf, even 300k senior players is an impressive resource, particularly if there is a residual of untapped school talent that could be developed if required and resources allow.

176 Go to comments
E
Ed the Duck 11 hours ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Now that is a slam dunk response right there!!!

176 Go to comments
E
Ed the Duck 11 hours ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

I’d say SA continuation is pretty much a slam dunk. They have brought much to the table in the URC with revenue growth, fan engagement and player enjoyment - yes, this is a factor too! On top of that there is still much headroom for further growth, both in the URC and especially with EPCR. The only resistance to SA teams comes from the English at present, mainly because they can’t win the CC any longer and their clubs are in real financial shit, but their recent overtures were firmly rejected.


I can only see great things on the horizon for SA inclusion in the URC and EPCR, if the right format adjustments are made. But if they are, then further success will follow and there is a strong likelihood that 6N becomes 7N as well.

176 Go to comments
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Ed the Duck 11 hours ago
Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Great post and spot on in your analysis about generations to develop African rugby. There’s a strong argument to say that pursuing the successful URC path they’re already on and getting the EPCR comps to do similar will provide a role model for African countries AND fund SA activities, such as the development tours to Arg you mention, to help grow African rugby in parallel.

176 Go to comments
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DH 11 hours ago
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu suffers new injury setback

That's twice he has tried to run at forwards and got his butt kicked. This isn't school boy rugby anymore. Give the ball to the forwards to take up and manage your runners outside of you. Ask Pollard for advice on how, if you don't understand

2 Go to comments
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