WATCH AGAIN: Champions Cup and Challenge Cup draw - who your team got!

Is this a what will be or what should be article? Not sure the will be answer is going to what could be!

Does the final of men’s game in 2023, with one try and 23 points scored, or the final of the women’s in 2022, featuring 11 tries and 65 points, present a truer picture of what is to come?

A bonus article before Xmas!!❣️

2024 in review: All Blacks break Irish hearts by triumphing in Dublin

GP 57 minutes ago

What a difference Will Jordan made when he went to fullback. Incisive running from the back etc.He played well in the game talked about in Dublin. Ireland -All Black games over the last decade have become great battles.I am looking forward to Will being back in the Crusaders in 2025 after missing this years comp.

Watch: Aaron Smith sets up ex-NRL star Joseph Manu for debut try in Japan

AllyOz 1 hour ago

we don't often agree OJohn but in this case it is hard not too.

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

JW 2 hours ago

Need is a strong word, they can simply do it by changing personal.

If they want to maximise their potential I think they need both an attack and defence coach, it's not the skills of a backs coach thats missing but the creativity of a Tony Brown, an attack coach. AB defence was better than attack but I still think a real pro is going to be needed to take it to the next level. I can see the current team adding little things to improve it by brain struggles to see a leap where the whole team is attacking rather than just DMac without a restructure.

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JW 2 hours ago

2024 in review: All Blacks break Irish hearts by triumphing in Dublin

As did SA, very unlucky to lose to Ireland and I think Rassie wuold have insured a clean sweep for the year against Argentina if it was still on the line after the Ireland series.

'Springbok Galacticos can't go it alone for trophy-hunting Sharks'

SA!! 3 hours ago

I think that because a lot of the Sharks players are in the Springboks, the are focusing too much on their Springbok games and leaving aside the Sharks. Good thing that they get a little break in Dec. to analyze this.

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SA!! 3 hours ago

2024 in review: All Blacks break Irish hearts by triumphing in Dublin

I love SA, which are rivals with the All Blacks, but they played well. So good job and way to go New Zealand!🤪

How the Black Ferns Sevens reacted to Michaela Blyde's code switch

CN 4 hours ago

C'est facile

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Another 4 hours ago

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

For me, it should be noted that certain players were injured at various stages of the year - Jordan, Roigard, S. Barrett, Tuipolutu, the loose forwards….and Takei'aho (all year). Injuries will still be happening next year of course, but the dip in form mid-year was partially caused by having a locking crisis (Barrett and Tuipoluto both injured vs Argentina), for example.

I think the team clearly needs to build more strength in depth but there has been progress in this area this last year. We need at least one more world class lock in the mix and I hope they settle on their best loose forward combination earlier in 2025 also (preferably with Savea playing No.7). Both South Africa and France have built up about 45-50 players that could play competently at top level international level - the ABs have about 35-40 and it needs to get better.

Also, it needs to be said that both the Crusaders and Highlanders underperformed in the Super Pacific completion and both teams need to step up. There are too many players of potential international quality in those teams that were badly out of form because the team pattern wasn’t working or they spent most of it injured. They need to step up - if these teams provide more in form players, the ABs strength in depth will increase.

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Another 4 hours ago

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

DMac and BB weren’t poor at First Five at all - I just think people have ridiculously high standards for an over scrutinised position. If Mu'unga had played at 10 this year instead, fans would still be complaining - as they did when he was playing there. For me, the issues is simply whether there is a better distributing No.13 to be found.

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Bob Salad II 5 hours ago

Lack of 10 backup since the let Sheedy go could/is hurting them. I reckon they'll get a marquee signing for next season, but hopefully not Farrell, which I've heard is a possibility.

Bob Salad II 6 hours ago

Interesting discussion on the BBC's Rugby Union Weekly this morning about Bristol's style of play generally - with many points alluded to here covered, as well as Benhard Janse van Rensburg specifically and whether he should be considered for England once he's eligible. Neither Danny Care nor Chris Ashton think he should. I'm on the fence. On the one hand, I'm very much in favour of selecting 'English' players for the national team, but on the other, he is a great player and it'd be a shame if he doesn't get to experience test rugby.

Springboks dominate in 2024 despite ill-discipline

Jon 6 hours ago

I’ll look into that

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Tom 6 hours ago

The awful weather and lack of first choice fly half hampered Bristol greatly. Also they're playing against sides with far more experience and stronger forwards packs. There was a lot stacked against Bristol but still they were disappointing performances without doubt. I expect Bristol to grow from the experience and be stronger for it next season. Was exceptional how they bounced back against Leicester after such a hammering.

Tom 6 hours ago

Yeah I think Bristol are on an upwards curve, give it a season or two with a bit more refinement and some careful recruitment and I think they will be pushing for European knockout stages.

Not surprised Marcus didn't want to come, it would have been too much of a gamble for his career. Shame though but Tom Jordan is coming for half a million quid less which we can now invest in a couple of big forwards hopefully!

Springboks dominate in 2024 despite ill-discipline

fl 6 hours ago

Yeah. Is their issue mostly high shots?

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BernardMorissette 6 hours ago

Finn Russell and England forwards help Bath power past Newcastle

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BernardMorissette 6 hours ago

Finn Russell and England forwards help Bath power past Newcastle

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Jen 7 hours ago

Does the next Wallabies coach have to be an Australian?

😂

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Derek Murray 7 hours ago

Great read on a fascinating topic.

Couple of questions related to Bristol and Black Ferns.

They were properly hammered and struggled to score many points at all in the two European matches preceding the demolition of Leicester. Was it lack of ambition in those matches or a better opponent? This Tigers mob has been less than the sum of their parts since their ugly GP win under Borthwick.

I went to Twickenham with a large group of parents and young ladies from Barnes RFC to watch NZ v England last season. The dads among us were deeply frustrated by how inflexible the Black Ferns were with their strategy to run and not kick and they were duly put to the sword.

Pretty clearly, there is more depth and quality in the England squad and, whilst on any given day (and with the help of a red card), NZ might sneak one the strategy can go horribly wrong given the level of passing and catching skill in the women's game. Was Smith very lucky and it's the wrong way to play big games or was he showing us the way forward? I'm not at all sure.