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  1. first5eight

    Warm Up Match 5: Maori All Blacks v British & Irish Lions (Rotorua)

    What a backline. Wouldn't shock me at all if McKenzie, Ioane & NMS are in our starting backline at the next WC. And Jordie Barrett. Solid looking team and if the Maori can get anything that even looks like parity up front, which I believe they can, there's enough ridiculous talent out wide to...
  2. first5eight

    [November Tests 2016 EOYT] Ireland vs. New Zealand (05/11/2016)

    Ha was just thinking the same thing. Telling myself no need to bite, the game is soon enough. Anything can happen on the day and Ireland are a decent enough outfit, but really, can't see it happening. Our depth is to strong and the style we're playing will be to much for the Irish to keep up...
  3. first5eight

    The Global Calendar after 2019 (rumours ATM)

    Mate that's not the attitude. If that were the case NZ would've stopped playing Ireland yeears ago. And Scotland & Wales, Argies et al - - - Updated - - - About the whole global season..speaking to pommy mates most of them agree that when you look at it like this. If the north play more over...
  4. first5eight

    [November Tests 2016 EOYT] Wales vs. Australia (05/11/2016)

    Wallabies to strong in this one. Finally founded a bit of form at Eden Park even if the score line says otherwise. Wouldn't surprise me if they roll all the way to Twickenham and then have a battle royal with England for the GS. Could be nice square up for the Aussies after what England did to...
  5. first5eight

    Who is the Best Player in the World?

    Joking? Why? Solid at scrum time. Throws straight in the line outs. Hits rucks, moves bodies, effects turnovers, is aggressive in contact both defense & attack.. add to that; pace, handling, a step, an offload, a fend, basically a winger that plays in the front-row.... Easily the best hooker...
  6. first5eight

    NZ test dominance: Do we need two teams?

    No, not a good idea imo. It does raise a good question tho, how much depth do we have, and how good is it? To run with your hypothetical, yes i do think we could field 2 squads of 23 and they would be in the top 5, if not the top 3 of world rugby. Now I know there is a fair bit of anti-kiwiness...
  7. first5eight

    Who is the Best Player in the World?

    Good question and hard to split, but current international imo would be; Best back - Aaron Smith. He's literally redesigned the job spec for a halfback for us. Gone are the days of the Justin Marhsall stand up, check the weather, look at the score board then throw a pass type half back. Behind...
  8. first5eight

    NZ vs Wales - June 2016

    Yep Akira Ioane will be a star. I could easily see a Cane, Ioane, Savea loose forward trio in the future + Luatua on the bench to cover 6/8. Then there's Dixon, Shields, Tafua all in the wings. So much depth. I'd love to see a probables v possibles brought back or even North v South game, they...
  9. first5eight

    NZ vs Wales - June 2016

    I think he will definitely be in the mix and make the squad. Probably one game off the bench and depending on how he goes one start. I think this year and over the next few years we are going to see a shoot out between Cruden v Sopoaga for the starting 10 spot and Barrett v Mckenzie for the...
  10. first5eight

    NZ vs Wales - June 2016

    Hansen & co have shown loyalty over the years so I cant see any bolters other than Mckenzie & Dixon coming off the bench for the 2nd or 3rd tests or maybe Mackenzie starting the 3rd test and B Smith moving to the wing. My line up; 1. Joe Moody 2. Dane Coles 3. Owen Franks 4. Brodie Rettalick...
  11. first5eight

    [2015 RWC] Final: New Zealand vs. Australia (31/10/2015)

    Hahaha. You can really feel the hurt in this post.
  12. first5eight

    A Super Rugby style tournament would significantly improve European nations...

    I was actually shocked to find out there were no bonus points in the 6N. Like I literally couldnt understand why and thought my mate was taking the ****. Your bang on with that being the first thing they need to do improve the attacking standard in the NH
  13. first5eight

    Sam Burgess U Turn

    He was always going to come back but its just a lot quicker than he, or anyone involved imagined. He left Australia as an absolutely respected champion who had the admiration of a whole country to then go to England to basically get vilified for England's rubbish world cup, yeah I'm sure he...
  14. first5eight

    An open letter to World Rugby.

    The problem imo is that the rules are to open to interpretation. One refs tackler release is slower than another, ones going off the feet & rucked formed is different from another and basically most forward/ruck decisions are one individuals personal call on the game. A lot of matches are...
  15. first5eight

    [2015 RWC] Semi Final 1: South Africa vs. New Zealand (24/10/2015)

    Easily both the greatest of all time. Both are absolute prototypes for their positions and the 2 most successful and decorated players to play the game. Highest points scorer in history & and most capped player and longest serving captain ever - both have individual winning percentages that are...
  16. first5eight

    [2015 RWC] Quarter Final 2: New Zealand vs. France (17/10/2015)

    Couldn't have said it better myself. I can't remember one time in the last 4 years when we have played 4 average/bad games in row. I think that we've been manipulating pool games to suit the style of game we want to play/practise. We will play a completely different style against the French -...
  17. first5eight

    [2015 RWC] Pool A: England vs. Australia (03/10/2015)

    That, my friend, will never ever happen.
  18. first5eight

    RWC 2019 Qualification

    A bit of a tangent but related.. I've always thought the world cup should be a bit like the Sevens. At the end of pool play you have the main cup tournament but then also split into a plate playoff. It would keep the smaller nations involved in the tournament and give them more exposure and keep...
  19. first5eight

    [2015 RWC] Pool A: England vs. Australia (03/10/2015)

    The WC does strange things. I think this could be one of the only times when the bulk of NZ will be supporting the Aussies. I'm picking the Wallabies by 7-12pts in this one. I think the wallabies have shown enough up front at set piece time this year to suggest they'll at least get parity at...
  20. first5eight

    [2015 RWC] Pool B: Samoa vs. USA (20/09/2015)

    A lot of NZ raised talent in the Samoan side. Actually a fair sprinkling of kiwis across Scotland, Japan and Samoan teams. Samoa will pick up a bonus point in this game and it'll be down to them or Scotland on who goes through 2nd. Saffas will still top pool.
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