Rugby Championship 2025 (non-Aus matches)

[waiopehu oldboy]

Last week the lineout maul was a weapon & when they finally tried one today they scored. After trying various fancy-pants shit that produced *checks notes* fuck all. Why the change? Are they so sure lineout mauls ain't gonna work v Bokke they're trying to dream up something that might? If that's the case it's hubris plain & simple.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

"Asenathi Ntlabakanye, South Africa’s reserve tighthead, will not travel with the Springboks to New Zealand for the next two rounds of the Rugby Championship after providing an “adverse analytical finding” during recent random drug-testing."

Being framed as weight-loss meds prescribed by a doctor & so on & so forth.

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[Dan54]

Well I hope Razor get's hold of a game plan book or something. I am a bit concernend that when asked at press conference that both the Coach and captain replied "I don't know'.
I can give you a hint boys, the one word that I would use starts with disc and ends with ipline! Discipline to stick to laws of game AND to game plan!
I not upset with loss (I think Pumas were f***ing good) but I am when coach and captain say they don't know why they lost!

 

[Tomthumb]

Well I hope Razor get's hold of a game plan book or something. I am a bit concernend that when asked at press conference that both the Coach and captain replied "I don't know'.
I can give you a hint boys, the one word that I would use starts with disc and ends with ipline! Discipline to stick to laws of game AND to game plan!
I not upset with loss (I think Pumas were f***ing good) but I am when coach and captain say they don't know why they lost!

Razor may be one of the worst interviews in Rugby. He always sounds pretty confused and like he's struggling to articulate things

 

[KiwiM]

Well I hope Razor get's hold of a game plan book or something. I am a bit concernend that when asked at press conference that both the Coach and captain replied "I don't know'.
I can give you a hint boys, the one word that I would use starts with disc and ends with ipline! Discipline to stick to laws of game AND to game plan!
I not upset with loss (I think Pumas were f***ing good) but I am when coach and captain say they don't know why they lost!

Totally agreed on the discipline but there are also big concerns with both coaching and selection

Some of these assistant coaches look like they are stealing a wage.

What exactly is Jason Holland doing?

Below from Gregor Paul sums things up

Jordan might sit alongside Australia’s Tom Wright as the world’s best attacking fullback, but he’s barely caught a high ball in the last two tests. Both Rieko Ioane and Reece – in different ways – were shown up by their counterparts as being totally lacking in a skillset that is now non-negotiable for international wings.
And so too is there a pressing need to instil a better attacking shape and fast-track the players’ understanding of what they are expected to do when they have possession.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

You know there's trouble at mill when Gregor Paul starts making sense...

I get that they want to play wide & get on the outside of the rush D but they don't seem to have any ideas other than kick- or harbour-bridge passes.

OTOH we have a pack that can play fairly narrow & make inroads/ "earn the right yo go wide" but there seems to be a disconnect & that has to be on the 9 & esp the 10. I don't think we can afford to have both Beaugan & DMac in the 23 v SA.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Razor may be one of the worst interviews in Rugby. He always sounds pretty confused and like he's struggling to articulate things

Not exactly brimming with confidence is he. Far be it from me to cast aspersions on a fellow man's intellect but he just dont seem real bright.

How the arse did he commandeer the Cantabs to 7 straight? Starting to think they were playing for Sam Whitelock....

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Some of these assistant coaches look like they are stealing a wage.

What exactly is Jason Holland doing?

Razor has tried to do the NFL thing where he "oversees" a cabal of specialised coaches but its blown up in his face. Too many voices, mixed messages, and its him thats left carrying the can anyway.

God knows how Jason Holland got where he is. It certainly wasnt results at the Canes. Him and Tamati Ellison seem to be there strictly on a "we get along with Razor" basis. Ryan has got the forwards hungry, he's the only one I'd keep ffs. IF he consents to a public 3-hour Q&A as to WHY he jettisoned D.Paps, Akira and #1 Most Hated Hoskins

Still, Razor has made his bed now. Two biggest matches of the season upcoming and he's stuck with Fozzie's old guard. Who have failed him. He has to choose all the Barretts now as all the other options have bumsores from sitting in the stands so long watching us clumsy our way into the record books of ignominy

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Below from Gregor Paul sums things up
Jordan might sit alongside Australia’s Tom Wright as the world’s best attacking fullback, but he’s barely caught a high ball in the last two tests. Both Rieko Ioane and Reece – in different ways – were shown up by their counterparts as being totally lacking in a skillset that is now non-negotiable for international wings.

Remember back in the day when we were a bit glum that the back 3 of Cory Jane, Dagg and Stupid Sexy Kahui didnt have enough attacking firepower for an AB back 3? Yeah, these dipshit coaches would KILL for all 3 of them right now.

-Dagg at FB (Wonderballz Will can go try his luck platooning on the wing with Kahui)

-Jane straight in, clatterbrain slowpoke Reece, fuck me.

-get shot of Rieko (doesn't even think to contest high balls, has shitty hands, can't kick, can't beat a man in open play, hold on, wft CAN he do?)

 

[Tomthumb]

Not exactly brimming with confidence is he. Far be it from me to cast aspersions on a fellow man's intellect but he just dont seem real bright.

How the arse did he commandeer the Cantabs to 7 straight? Starting to think they were playing for Sam Whitelock....

He might be the smartest guy in the world, but if he cant clearly and concisely communicate I don't think it really matters. Especially when you compare it Schmidt, Rassie, Farrell etc. he just sounds like a nervous fan being interviewed

And the fact Rob Penny managed a title with the Crusaders takes a bit of luster off Razor considering how utter lost Penny was coaching the Waratahs

 

[Slim 293]

Ntlabakanye to miss the New Zealand tour becaaaaaauuuuuuuse...

Asenathi Ntlabakanye Denies Doping Allegations After Failed Drug Test - FloRugby

Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye denies wrongdoing after a failed drug test, citing prescribed medication, and will miss the New Zealand tour.

www.florugby.com

 

[Sully]

 

[Ignoto]

Ntlabakanye to miss the New Zealand tour becaaaaaauuuuuuuse...

Asenathi Ntlabakanye Denies Doping Allegations After Failed Drug Test - FloRugby

Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye denies wrongdoing after a failed drug test, citing prescribed medication, and will miss the New Zealand tour.

www.florugby.com

was prescribed by a specialist physician early in 2025 for medical reasons and taken with the approval and the supervision of a medical doctor specifically appointed to manage the medical affairs of professional rugby players.

So why wasn't a TUE lodged?

Looking forward to Dr Rassie's 2 hour powerpoint on this issue.

 

[zer0]

I think some of these comments trying to infer Robertson's coaching ability from interviews are misguided. I don't care for the surf bro aura, but the interview after his first test was well articulated and full of excited detail explaining why decisions were made to do x, y, z (attack a specific guys shoulder from a specific angle iirc). I'd never heard anything like it before and haven't since because I'm sure he's been muzzled. If you're a creative type who enjoys rambling on about your autistic passion, then being muzzled can make it difficult to sound enthused or sometimes even coherent. Rather than just speaking naturally you have to make up nonsense to convey some bland message while dancing around the interesting shit you want to talk about but can't. EDIT: I commented on it at the time here.

The comments about the coaching setup and direction are more on point. Holland was always a deeply sus choice and one that MacDonald did well to promptly distance himself from. It's unfortunate that Brown would only work with Jamie Joseph - or, at least, not against him. Fortunately, Joe Schmidt will be kicking around soon.

 

[zer0]

Otherwise, I want to like Proctor at centre but he seems to frequently get beaten on the outside. As much as it pains me to say, I think it's time to go crawling back to Rieko at centre. The attack isn't doing anything anyway so might as well shore up the defence in the meantime.

For the wingers, select the two who can best catch a ball. It's not going to be Leroy Carter (another wtf selection for mine). Give Narawa a go and hope Clarke is back soon. If not, Jordan back to the wing. EDIT: Or Tavatavanawai, if he can field a kick.

Some of the captaincy/tactical choices need to be quickly smoothed out as well. Down by two scores with <10 mins remaining, you kick the penalty (with McKenzie instead of Beauden) to make it a one score game then go looking for the final try.

EDIT: Really miss Roigard at halfback as well.

 

[Dan54]

Razor has tried to do the NFL thing where he "oversees" a cabal of specialised coaches but its blown up in his face. Too many voices, mixed messages, and its him thats left carrying the can anyway.

God knows how Jason Holland got where he is. It certainly wasnt results at the Canes. Him and Tamati Ellison seem to be there strictly on a "we get along with Razor" basis. Ryan has got the forwards hungry, he's the only one I'd keep ffs. IF he consents to a public 3-hour Q&A as to WHY he jettisoned D.Paps, Akira and #1 Most Hated Hoskins

Still, Razor has made his bed now. Two biggest matches of the season upcoming and he's stuck with Fozzie's old guard. Who have failed him. He has to choose all the Barretts now as all the other options have bumsores from sitting in the stands so long watching us clumsy our way into the record books of ignominy

Exactly DP, if you want specialised coaches, bring them in as required, but I honestly believe form the day before test when they have captain's run, through until the test is finished, they should only get info from head coach, and maybe forwards and backs coach. The likes of Holland, and whoever else they got shouldn't be near team, or coaches box at game. And especially not in dressing room either before of halftime.