First I become one-eyed... Now I'm supporting an AUSTRALIAN team???

It is fair to say that I no longer know myself.
Well.  I actually know myself very well, BUT if you compare 2011 Emma to 2013 Emma, you will notice two very disturbing facts.

Firstly, I have transitioned from being a staunch Highlanders supporter & staunch disliker of the Crusaders, to a HUGE Crusaders fan, who giggles a little at how badly the Highlanders are doing in the 2013 Super Rugby season.

It's hard to NOT love those Crusaders boys....

The Crusaders thing though - I think it's understandable - it is LOVE afterall, which made me switch allegiances so drastically.  I fell in love with a woman who supports the Crusaders, and slowly but surely her influence had an impact on me, and before  long I was screaming FOR the Crusaders, rather than AGAINST the Crusaders.  I was part of the same one-eyed crowd at games, that I had so often insulted and rolled my eyes at, when I was a firm gold & blue supporter.  In what must have been a hard ask for my father, he accepted that I now cheered for the other side, and has continued to love me, as if something terribly shocking hasn't happened.

THE reason I switched Super Rugby franchise allegiances

But.

There is no way I can tell him about my new rugby love.  My other favourite team.  The other colours I would wear with pride (... if they were sold over here...).  I fear it would be too much for him to handle.

I, Emma, hereby declare that I.... I... Um...

I support the Melbourne Rebels.  Proudly.

Yes.  You heard it here folks. I am now paritcularly fond of an AUSTRALIAN rugby team.

I can't explain how it happened, or why it happened, or even when it happened.  One day I was a Crusaders-only supporter, and the next day I was suddenly a Crusaders-and-Rebels supporter.  Some may argue that it's not that much of a stretch for a New Zealander to support the Rebels, because a lot of the team ARE from New Zealand.  BUT.  At the end of the day, the Rebels are an AUSTRALIAN team.  Australian.  From Australia.  You know.  New Zealand's rugby nemesis.

The Kiwi connection is impossible to ignore

So, why do I seem to love them so?

• Did you see all the man love moments when they beat the Waratahs???  It was spectacular, tear

  

  Also VERY hard to ignore is this rather delicious man
  ex Wellington Lions player, Jason Woodward...

  inducing stuff!
• The excitement and pride they displayed upon beating the Stormers & clocking up their first win against a South African team... again, it was excellent.
• They seem to have an awesome team culture.
• My favourite Australian players seem to play for the Rebels... Hugh Pyle.  Laurie Weeks.  Scott Higginbotham.  Lachie Mitchell.  Rory Sidey.  Mitch Inman.  Luke Jones.
• And then, there ARE all those Kiwi boys on the team... James King, Cooper Vuna, Ged Robinson, Scott Fuglistaller.
• Jason Woodward (also qualifies in the 'and then, there ARE all those Kiwi boys on the team' category, but I felt he deserved his own category).  The man is HOT.

Man love. 
It's a beautiful thing.

It's even at the stage we are planning to go to Melbourne so we can see a Rebels game in person.  Sadly it probably works out just as cheap flying to Melbourne for a game, as it would flying within New Zealand.

So there you have it.  I'm a COMPLETE rugby traitor... 

Unrestrained Manliness 2.0 - Bigger & Bearder

A little over a year ago, I blogged about Unrestrained Manliness.  The focus of 'Unrestrained Manliness 1.0', was Cory Jane - who I found looked rather epic with a beard.

2013 is also the year of unrestrained manliness - but this year Cory Jane is out & there is a new coverboy for 'UM'....

RYAN CROTTY!

Just take a look.... the man ROCKS the beard.  He is damn sexy without it, but sexy x 1,000,000 with it.  What is even better is that he KNOWS how to rock the beard - Crotty, unlike so many players - seems to understand that there is a fine line between HAWT and Tom-Hanks-in-Castaway-bushiness.  The 'beard of awesome' as we refer to it, has been in existence for a few weeks now  - and rather than just growing and growing and growing it, Crotty obviously understands the importance of beard maintenance... each week it goes from strength to strength... from hotness to hotness.

Ryan Crotty & the beard of awesome, we salute you!

The beard of awesome.  It really is spectacular.

The beard of awesome gives Crotty amazing powers... he can fly!

It's just... sexy.

Rugga boys get their groove on

...... we absolutely love this video, so I felt the need to share it right here....  I cannot hear the name 'Liam Messam' now, without adding a little 'oooo oooo oooo oooo ooo ooooo ooo' afterward.

Without further ado....

..... and while we are at it, I also give you the Crusaders 'Harlem Shake', just because I can.

Suppose I should probably include the Blues 'Harlem Shake' as well...  Graham Henry is the mascot... that in itself is worth a look.

I shall be back in the very near future, to give my thoughts on the Super XV to date, and also the potential All Blacks squad for the June internationals, v France.

Who would make a 1st XV of NZ rugby hotness?

Over the next couple of months there will be ample opportunity for myself and other Kiwi rugby fans to predict who will make the All Blacks squad for the June tests against France.

Of course Zac Guildford & Dan Carter
would feature in such a team!

No doubt there will be many opposing views regarding the criteria for making the squad – namely should current form win out over past form. Will Steve Hansen and his merry men again pick players who didn't stand out in the Super XV, but have proven themselves in previous seasons in the black jersey? Will those who have truly impressed at Super XV level this year miss out in favour of the 'tried and true who haven't really performed, but probably will in the black jersey'?

It is my opinion that Steve Hansen and Co. need to think ahead to the 2015 Rugby World Cup, and start giving young players who are playing phenomenally the chance to get experience in the coveted All Blacks jersey. It is a fact that of the 2012 All Blacks, 8 were aged 30 or over, and while it's great to think these guys could all still be performing at their peak in 18 months time, the fact of the matter is that with age, performance declines, players are more susceptible to injury and being presented with

Every team needs a little mongrel... and Jarrad Hoeata
is the most mongrel-ific player in NZ rugby right now!

European and Japanese contracts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars is understandably enticing. No player's future through to RWC 2015 is certain, but it has to be least certain for the more 'senior' members of the team.

A prime example of choosing past form over current form comes in the shape of Piri Weepu. He was selected for the All Blacks in 2012, much to the shock of even his most devoted fans. His Super XV performance had been lacklustre, particularly with comparison to the man who missed out because of Piri – Andy Ellis. In all, Piri Weepu had two or three starts last year, and generally came off the bench with about 20

He may be a little on the young side, but
Sam Cane holds a lot of potential....

minutes to go. In all but one game he made little to no impact in his few minutes on the field, and as the season progressed one really had to wonder exactly what Steve Hansen could see in Piri, that no one else could. I won't go into the real reason I believe Piri made the squad. That is between Steve & Piri...

It is understandable that the All Blacks selectors want to pick sides who can win – but no team can win all of the time, and maybe it's worth sacrificing a win or two in order to start giving the developing players experience in the All Black jersey. In 2012 Steve and co. DID get some new blood into the team – the likes of Aaron Smith and Julian Savea proving that the young fellas have what it takes to compete at international level. In the case of Aaron Smith he went from being a general unknown to the choice #9 for the All Blacks, in place of Piri Weepu. Tawera Kerr-Barlow then went on to become the second choice #9. Behind Aaron Smith. Ahead of Piri Weepu. You know – 'full of past experience' Piri Weepu.

Straight men can probably skip the following...

Not your stereotypical hotty, but like it or not,
Matt Todd IS hot!

One thing that IS a certainty however, is that New Zealand rugby is ALWAYS going to be full of quality eye candy. Whether you like the clean cut look or the more rugged look, it is a dead cert that within NZ rugby, you will find a large list of candidates to perve on each weekend. I am sure that all the women who visit Pink Rugby, firstly do so because they purely enjoy the game of rugby... but I am just as sure that for a large majority, the appeal isn't purely... pure!

It is with this thought... nay, FACT, in mind, that I give you my first official NZ 1^st XV (& the requisite 7 reserves). As with all team predictions, the choices are very much subjective, but I'm sure that you will all agree with at least one player on the McBonbon 1^st XV. Seeing as it is rather hard [for me personally] to find a hot 1, 2 or 3, I have opted to choose the 22 hottest players, regardless of their onfield position.

The McBonbon 1^st XV

(in no particular order.... for the most part)

1. Zac Guildford (Crusaders)
2. Richie McCaw (Crusaders)
3. Matt Todd (Crusaders)
4. Jarrad Hoeata (Highlanders)
5. Phil Burleigh (Highlanders)
6. Daniel Carter (Crusaders)
7. Liam Messam (Chiefs)
8. Shaun Treeby (Highlanders)
9. Ryan Crotty (Crusaders)
10. Tamati Ellison (Highlanders)
11. Israel Dagg (Crusaders)
12. TJ Perenara (Hurricanes)
13. Cory Jane (Hurricanes)
14. Kade Poki (Highlanders)
15. Richard Kahui (Chiefs)
16. Sam Cane (Chiefs)
17. Andre Taylor (Hurricanes)
18. Dominic Bird (Crusaders)
19. Andy Ellis (Crusaders)
20. Ali Williams (Blues)
21. Codie Taylor (Crusaders)
22. Sam Whitelock (Crusaders)

Highlanders.... *shakes head*

(also published on Pink Rugby)

When it was announced that the Highlanders had the services of Tony Woodcock, Ma'a Nonu and

I too would be bowing my head in shame

Brad Thorn for the 2013 Super Rugby season, it seemed the Highlanders would have a very competitive team. Between them, the three new signings have 231 All Blacks caps, and 305 Super Rugby caps – when added to the likes of Andrew Hore, it seemed the Highlanders would have a very magical team for 2013. Definitely the team to watch!

Some very impressive pairings automatically came to mind – Hore and Woodcock in the front row, Thorn and Jarrad Hoeata together in the locking department, then in the backs Aaron Smith feeding the ball to Ma'a Nonu, Tamati Ellison, Hosea Gear and Ben Smith. Ten players with All Black & Maori All Blacks experience, it seemed like a no brainer. As an ex-Highlanders supporter I must admit that I

Elliot Dixon
... tats AND the man can play!

perience to the team. While I'm sure their knowledge and experience has been beneficial to the other players on the team, it seems that the Highlanders have become almost a 'retirement home' for players. Rather than playing with the energy and vitality of younger players, all these new, experienced signings seem to be making little impact at all on the team, almost as if they'd be happier sitting down to a game of BINGO or crib, while sipping on a sherry.

When you look at numbers (as I regularly do, having a fetish for rugby statistics), on paper the Highlanders have the oldest average age, at 25.7 years, followed by the Hurricanes on 25.1, the Chiefs on 24.8, the Blues on 24.0 and the Crusaders on 23.7. When analysed even further – focusing solely on forward packs, the Highlanders again have the oldest age average, at 27.9 years, with the four other teams averaging between 25.1 and 25.9 years. These averages make it clear that while age can often mean experience – it doesn't always translate into success.

As we enter round nine, it seems that the Highlanders coaches are shaking things up to try and get

One can watch the Highlanders lose....
and perve at Phil Burleigh....

that elusive first win of the season – All Blacks Aaron Smith and Colin Slade have been dropped, in favour of some lesser-known names. I personally think this is a good thing – because it HAS been all the 'lesser' knowns from the team, who are performing well this year. The likes of Elliot Dixon, Phil Burleigh (who also has the added benefit of being some major eye candy!) and Kade Poki have been playing exceptionally well. I think it's time for the coaches to stop waiting for the bigger names (namely any player who has worn the black jersey in the last 24 months) to finally step up, and for them to instead give the lesser-knowns a chance to prove their worth.

Jarrad Hoeata.
Just cos he's hot.
Unlike the Highlanders.

While I'm at it, perhaps the Highlanders lack of success is all down to the 'Nonu Curse'. Think about it it. 2011 – Hurricanes play badly. With Nonu. 2012 – Blues play badly. With Nonu. 2013 – Highlanders are playing badly. With Nonu. Yes, perhaps it's unfair to suggest, but I guarantee you it is a thought that every Kiwi rugby fan has had over the past couple of weeks. I would go as far as to say that the 'Landers will secure their first win without Nonu on the field.

OF COURSE it's not all bad. If the Super XV was a sexy-man competition, the Highlanders would be sitting in the top four, especially when Tamati Ellison comes back from injury in the next couple of weeks.

Crusaders Backs Woes Over! Oh Wait...........

(also published on Pink Rugby)

Johnny McNicholl being awesome

If you remember, I recently blogged about the doom and gloom surrounding the Crusaders outside backs.

In case you don't remember, here is a brief rundown:

Zac Guildford (who it is clear I am rather fond of) was out of rugby indefinitely, due to what the media liked to call 'off field issues' – aka, alcoholism. Sean Maitland had moved to greener, colder pastures to play for Glasgow and Scotland. Israel Dagg was suddenly the most senior, experienced member of the outside backs, with Tom Marshall and Adam Whitelock adding SOME experience – but no international experience. Johnny McNicholl was the new kid, the yet-to-be-capped debutant who had impressed in the 2012 ITM Cup.

THEN, a sigh of relief was breathed when (two weeks after my initial piece was published), Zac was reinstated to the Crusaders and FINALLY some of the much needed experience was back. Furthermore, Tom Marshall had been putting on some rather impressive displays on the wing and at fullback, while young Johnny McNicholl was also making his mark on the game, proving he was more than up to the standard required to play at Super XV level. It seemed that between Dagg, Guildford, Marshall and McNicholl, the Crusaders were onto something.

After two losses on the run, the Crusaders returned to Christchurch and took on the Bulls. Tom Marshall scored a sublime solo-effort try from halfway, Johnny McNicholl notched up his first Super XV try, and Israel Dagg gave a solid performance at fullback. After what had been a dismal,

Tom Marshall
arguably the in form Crusader of the season

disappointing, worrisome start to the season, the Crusaders seemed to be back on track. Zac Guildford joined with the team the day before the match, and it is said he addressed the team and gave a very emotional, inspirational speech – which both captain and coach said inspired the team to win. The team was complete. They were back together – and the following week Zac would be up for selection. It seemed that the Crusaders outside back woes were a thing of the past.

The following week, Zac was selected on the bench for the game against the Kings, with Dagg, Marshall and McNicholl in the starting 15. It was assumed that Zac would go on with 20-30 minutes left on the clock – a chance to give him a bit of a hit out, to wean him back into the game gently.

Zac Guildford ran onto the field in the starting 15 that night – and it wasn't because of a last minute shuffle either. No. That would have been too easy. Too straightforward. Instead, Zac Guildford was promoted from bench to starting 15 because of an injury. A hamstring injury to Israel Dagg – which is ironic, because a hamstring injury is what kept Zac out of most of the 2012 ITM Cup.

Matt Todd crosses the tryline against the Stormers

Adam Whitelock moved to the bench, Tom Marshall went to fullback, Zac reclaimed the #11 jersey, with Johnny moving to the #14 jersey. The team went on to win – and to win well. Tom Marshall again played exceptionally well, and the fact that Israel Dagg wasn't on the field didn't seem like such a huge deal at the end of the day. Besides, Izzy only had a hamstring strain, and it was confirmed he would be back the following week, when the Crusaders were to play the Stormers in Cape Town.

A glorious sight to behold....

What a relief, the Crusaders would have their strongest outside back trio for the Stormers – a game that would undoubtedly be their toughest match of the season to date.

Guildford was named on the bench again, with McNicholl, Dagg and Marshall in the 11, 15 and 14 jerseys. McNicholl had proven himself and Guildford would provide fresh (very experienced) legs off the bench – something that would be very beneficial in what would undoubtedly be a very physical encounter against the Stormers. Adam Whitelock was also named on the bench, as cover for the midfield backs – a good way to ensure all the outside backs got a bit of game time.

BUT THEN.... (go on, you were expecting a 'but then', weren't you!!!)

On Friday morning I was greeted by a tweet on Twitter, casually mentioning that Israel Dagg had

The team were sans Israel Dagg, again

again withdrawn from the team, due to that pesky tight hamstring. This time it wasn't as simple as putting Zac in the starting 15 and having Adam Whitelock replace him on the bench. If you remember, Adam Whitelock was already ON the bench. No problem – we know Tom Taylor can play at fullback if need be. OH WAIT. He was unavailable because of an INJURY!

The Crusaders were officially lacking someone to sit on the bench in the #22 jersey. There was no one to fill in as a replacement for the outside backs.

So.... the coaching team did what any coaching team would do – and put a flanker on the bench for the outside backs. One would imagine that the coaching team hoped and prayed they wouldn't need to use him. As long as there were no injuries, they would be fine.

Naturally, Johnny McNicholl broke his ankle in the 20^th minute of the game.

The team catch their breath... for a minute

A collective “OH F**K!” could be heard across Crusader-land (well, if it hadn't been 6.30am local time, I'm sure it would have been) as McNicholl was carted off the field, his season over. The situation for the outside backs was suddenly looking dire again.

Adam Whitelock took Johnny's place on the wing and the midfield backs played out the full 80 minutes, so there was no need for history to repeat itself and for a flanker to be thrown from the scrum to the wing. Yea. That happened before. In 2011 Matt Todd had to play on the wing due to injuries amongst the backs. The game was against the Stormers. In Cape Town. Deja vu anyone?

The Crusaders – sans Richie McCaw, Kieran Read (injured), Dan Carter (on paternity leave), Israel

So serious, boys!

Dagg and Owen Franks (off after 20 minutes with a rib injury), went on to unexpectedly beat the Stormers. It's an enormous undertaking for a team to beat a South African franchise in South Africa, but for a team to do it when missing who could be argued to be their most influential players – it's almost a miracle.

The final score was 19-14, with the Crusaders only try coming from Matt Todd – the remaining 15 points all being kicked by understudy to Dan Carter, Tyler Bleyendaal. The Crusaders attacking AND defensive efforts were amazing (in fairness, so were the Stormers), and by recording the win, they surely sent a message to the other Super XV franchises. A very scary message at that.

Jubilation after an amazing effort by the boys in
Red and Black.
Well.
White and Red.

BUT (remember, there is always a but!) ther Crusaders are again in a very precarious position with regard to their outside backs. Telusa Veainu has been called in as back up for McNicholl – but he is it for the remainder of the competition. Another Crusaders outside back being injured would be a major problem for the franchise, and hopefully a problem that doesn't eventuate.

On a personal level, I am hugely upset by the injury to Johnny. I became excited by him in the 2012 ITM Cup and just knew he'd get a Super XV contract – which he did. I've loved watching his progress and seeing him impress in his first year with the Crusaders. My plan had been to do a Kiwi Focus piece on Johnny later on in the season, when he was the player everyone was talking about – but obviously that won't be happening now...

Redemption Time!

(also published on Pink Rugby)

The round 7 match this weekend between the Chiefs and Blues is going to be a chance to stick it to

Anscombe is on fire for the Chiefs!

his old team for new Chiefs player Gareth Anscombe. After de-listing him post 2012 Super Rugby season, one must imagine that with a success rate of 86.4% with the boot this season, the Blues will be kicking themselves that they let him go. Yes. That pun was completely intentional. Anscombe was quickly drafted by the Chiefs, who obviously saw the potential in him, that new Blues coach, John Kirwan, was unable to.

Anscombe has proved Rennie right since the very start of the season – to date he has had 37 attempts at goal, slotting 32 of those kicks. This success with the boot doesn’t seem to be a one off though, and really makes you wonder what JK and the rest of the Blues selectors were thinking. In the 2012 Super Rugby campaign, Anscombe had a success rate of 70%, which given the Blues performance in 2012, is quite remarkable. It could almost be said that any glimmer of success the Blues has, was related to the boot of Anscombe. In the 2012 ITM Cup campaign, Anscombe was top point scorer, with a total of 193 points (37 penalties, 31 conversions, as well as 4 tries).

the Blues should be afraid.  VERY afraid.

While the reasons for his de-listing were never made public, it is clear that Anscombe is using whatever those reasons were, as motivation to perform to the highest standard in the 2013 season – something that Chiefs fans are hardly complaining about. Complaining, however, is probably something that a lot of Blues supporters are doing. While they seem to have a few players who are doing exceptionally well, kicking is one area where they aren’t overly competitive.

So far in the 2013 campaign the Blues two main kickers, Chris Noakes and Piri Weepu, are kicking at 66.6% and 46.6% respectively. No matter how many tries their speedy backs or powerful forwards get, games will be lost if Noakes and Weepu aren’t able to convert penalties into points. When penalty success rates are compared, Anscombe is again on top with 75%, followed by Noakes on 66.6%, with Weepu coming in with 62%.

While Anscombe is proving Rennie right and Kirwan wrong, he can also be thought of as an investment into the future for the Chiefs. Anscombe is only 21 – technically it can be presumed that he has at least another 10 years of playing, and his talent is only going to continue improving. While other teams (such as the Crusaders) have goal kickers who are going to realistically be coming to the end of (NZ) career in 2 or 3 years time, the Chiefs have two young and very successful kickers who aren’t even in their prime yet.

It’s a fact that a lot of games come down to which kickers make the penalties and conversions count, and I would personally love to see that type of game this weekend when the Chiefs take on the Blues. Even more, I would love to see the look on JK’s face as Anscombe successfully converts the winning points for the Chiefs, after dismal efforts by Weepu and Noakes.

If I sound like I am coming from a biased position – of preferring one team over the other, then you’d be damn right. Everyone outside of Auckland knows that when it comes to rugby, netball, gumboot throwing, snail racing (and on and on and on) you support your home team & anyone playing Auckland!

Big Boots to Fill....

(also published on Pink Rugby)

After their first two games in the 2013 Super 15 campaign, it is clear that the Crusaders have some

Matt Todd
ready to make his mark in 2013

work to do to live up to fan (and critics) expectations.  One player is bound to be feeling that more than anyone though – because he has been given the gargantuan task of filling the boots of undoubtedly the most loved, feared, influential Crusader of all time.  Obviously I’m talking about ‘Captain Fantastic’, Richie McCaw.  With McCaw on his sabbatical until after the three test series against the French in June, the pressure is on second-choice #7 – Matt Todd, to perform… and to perform well!

24 year old Todd, who celebrates his 25^th birthday later this month, is on his third season with the Crusaders, boasting 36 caps for the franchise – even if that is still 8 seasons and 90-odd caps less than the man he is inevitably going to be compared against.  Matt is going to have to try and win over the die-hard Richie fans and the rugby community in general – which one must imagine, will not be an easy feat.  A few good games and one must imagine the coaches and rugby community will be happy enough having Todd as first-choice flanker, but winning the hearts of McCaw’s fans – who, as with all Crusader and Cantabrian rugby fans in general, are very one eyed, may be a harder task for the young understudy.

While every move that Todd makes is going to be scrutinised and rated against the would-McCaw-have-done-that scale, this season is also going to provide him with the perfect opportunity to show the All Black selectors what he is capable of.  Considering the All Blacks are playing three tests against the French in June – without their stalwart #7, there is every chance that if Matt Todd performs well enough during the Super 15, he could be called in as back up to Sam Cane, in the #7 role.  In 2011 he flew from Christchurch to Auckland and helped out at one of the RWC trainings – making it clear that even though he hasn’t made the cut yet, he is certainly in the selectors peripheral vision.

Zac is Back!

My love for Zac Guildford is something that has widely been expressed in this blog, therefore I find it impossible to not share my excitement...... ZAC IS BACK!

After his misconduct hearing with the NZRU, he has been reinstated to the Crusaders (thank god for THAT!) - and here's hoping this represents a new beginning for Zac... the start of a bigger, brighter rugby career, and life in general!  He publicly admitted that he is an alcoholic, and spoke at length about it during his press conference yesterday.  I have to say, I fully believed every word he said... He seems a lot more grown up, mature and responsible than the Zac of old.  Obviously this past 60-ish days has had a profound affect, and has changed him.

On a lighter, much visually appealing, sexy note...

Press conference = photos!

 

Oh yea.  Zac is back alright!

Crusaders Backline Woes....

(also published on Pink Rugby)

One year ago the Crusaders had a formidable outside back trio, consisting of Sean Maitland, Zac

The gorgeous Mr Guildford.  GONE.

Guildford and Israel Dagg.  Between them the three had 80 caps for the Crusaders, with Israel Dagg and Zac Guildford each having a respective 25 and 18 caps for another franchise (Dagg, Highlanders and Guildford, Hurricanes) – between the three they had amassed 190 points for the Crusaders (and that’s not counting Guildford and Daggs combined 16 tries (80 points) for the Hurricanes or Highlanders).  By the end of the 2012 Super XV season all had added more tries to their tally -  Sean Maitland had 23 (115 points), Zac Guildford with 19 (95 points) under his belt, and Israel Dagg had a total of 12 (60 points).

Fast forward to the start of the 2013 Super XV competition and the landscape is a lot different for the Crusaders, as far as their outside backs go.  GONE is Sean Maitland (54 caps), whom unwanted by the Crusaders for 2013, took up a contract with the Glasgow Warriors, and was soon promoted to a regular starting spot on the Scotland team, for the Six Nations – where he scored a try on debut, and is now in contention for a place in the British Lions, to tour Australia.  GONE is Zac Guildford, who after

Sean Maitland.  GONE.

another off field indiscretion, stood himself down from the Crusaders, for what could potentially be the entirety of the 2013 campaign, in order to seek support and treatment for alcohol issues.
No problem – they have back up, in the form of Kurt Baker… or not, as he injured his hamstring, playing Sevens, and cannot play.  Then there is Johnny McNicholl (currently injured, hoping to be back for the round 4 match v Hurricanes) – signed to the franchise after an epic 2012 ITM Cup campaign with cup winners, Canterbury.  While he had an awesome season in the ITM Cup, it is well known that while going from Super XV to test match rugby is a big step up, the same can be said for going from ITM Cup level, to Super XV level.  Teluesa Veainu has been called in on a short term basis, from the Highlanders – but is yet to be seen at 1^st class level for the Crusaders, and with only 5 caps, doesn’t exactly bring a wealth of experience to the set up.

All is not lost – there are a couple of players with 20+ caps to their names, who could

Israel Dagg.  NOT GONE.
Phew.

provide a little stability and leadership to the backline (along with Israel Dagg).  Adam Whitelock looks to be a regular feature amongst the outside back trio, and his 42 caps and 7 tries show that he is useful to have on the field.  Tom Marshall will add to that with his 24 caps and 3 tries for the Red and Blacks…  But neither are exactly up to par with Sean Maitland or Zac Guildford, are they?  There is also the utility back, Tom Taylor, who provides an extra option when it comes to the fullback position.  That said, he seems to excel at the #10 and #12 positions, where he has fast become a very obvious understudy to Dan Carter, having some magical performances with the boot in the 2012 season, notably against the Stormers, when he scored all the Crusaders points and won the game for them.  Taylor seems as out of place at fullback, as Israel Dagg does on the wing (think 2013, round 3 v Blues… and that’s as much as I will say about that).

On paper, the Crusaders can form a competitive outside back trio – just one that in most cases is lacking in Super XV

Tom Marshall (with Matt Todd)
... needs to step up

experience.  Aside from Tom Marshall, Adam Whitelock and Israel Dagg, the reamining three ‘true’ outside back replacements have a total of 12 caps and 2 tries between them . The most capped outside back trio would consist of Tom Marshall and Adam Whitelock on the wings, with Israel Dagg in his rightful position at fullback.  Between them, they would have an impressive enough 83 caps and 22 tries for the Crusaders between them, 12 coming from Dagg, 7 from Whitelock and 3 from Marshall – still 16 tries shy of the 38 the Maitland/Guildford/Dagg combo came into the 2012 season with.

What then happens if Dagg gets sidelined by injury, or when he’s out due to All Blacks

Adam Whitelock
... reliable on the wing.  Phew.

commitments? The back line trio then misses out on the experience and presence provided by Dagg’s 3 seasons as an All Black, and there are two relatively experienced players – who will need to be teamed up with a very inexperienced (in Super XV terms) player and with another inexperienced player on the bench.  What happens if both Dagg and Whitelock are out?  Or Dagg and Marshall?  The Crusaders will then put on the field, a back line trio with maybe 45 caps between them, depending how far into the season they are.

Teams have done it before – and I’m sure teams have had to deal with much worse, but when you are a team that is so used to a powerful, experienced, fast, point-scoring-machine outside back trio, surely that lack of experience is going to have an effect on the team and put a LOT of extra pressure on those more senior, capped players (such as Israel Dagg), and on those who perhaps wouldn’t have had to step into the leadership role quite so early, under normal circumstances.  As a Crusaders supporter I am personally rather nervous about what this season holds for the team – obviously there is more to a team than three players/positions, however when a bulk of your tries (40% in 2012) are scored by your outside backs, the thought of a lack of experience in that vital back line role, is rather daunting.

As a fanatical Crusaders fan, all I can say is please, please, PLEASE don’t let the Crusaders of 2013, be the Blues of 2012.

Rugby is BACK! Disappointment. Pride. Hotness.

RUGBY IS BACK FOR 2013!

See.  The fact excites me so much I felt the need to center, capslock, bold, italicise, underline and exclamation point it!

Rugby is officially back for the 2013 season, and suddenly it feels as if all is well with the world again.  For the most part.

... just you keep on being sexy, Zac...

Everyone knows of my love for Mr Zac Guildford, so obviously I need to mention the fact he isn't playing in the Super XV this year... well, not right now.  And this my friends, forms disappointment #1.

His battle with alcohol is something that has been highly publicised, and at the end of the day, only he knows the extent of the problem, and I hope that this time around he is given the support he needs to work through whatever he needs to, and come out the other side... put on his jet shoes & get back on the rugby field!  I hate all the publicity his latest 'incident' has been given by the media, because by all accounts it was a minor 'incident' - but the media blew it well out of proportion.  Thank goodness he had an awesome girlfriend who is willing to speak out & stand up for her (sexy) man, along with some great friends who have done the same.

Seeing how much the media can fuck someone over, makes me almost ashamed that I want to BE a journalist...

I buy tickets to see CJ playing...
NEK MINNIT....

Disappointment #2 comes in the shape of one Mr Cory Jane.  Who sustained a season ending knee injury, just two days after I had purchased tickets to FINALLY see the man playing live.  If you remember, last year I was unable to see him playing live because he was injured.  I am officially a jinx on CJ.  Whenever I am going to be seeing him playing in person, he gets injured.  Last year it was the ankle, and now the knee - I could look on the positive side & say 'at least I can see TJ Perenara playing', but last time I was going to see HIM playing, he too got injured.  If TJ makes it onto the field, I will be a happy girl - if TJ DOESN'T make it on the field (due to injury), then I am never going to go to another Hurricanes rugby game... EVER.  It's for their own good.  On a positive note (for him), I guess - is the fact that he's going to be able to spend lots of time with the 4th little Jane, whom I believe is due on March 13th.

Okay, as far as disappointment goes, I think that is it.  Ironic that the two disappointments relate to Zac and CJ, really...

Go laddy!

Pride.  You need look no further than one Mr Sean Maitland.  In 2012 it was announced he had been let go by the NZRU and that he was heading over to Scotland, having signed with the Glasgow Warriors.  There was an element of 'oh my god, you traitor!!!', but we soon got over that, and began to follow his blossoming European rugby career.  Needless to say, when he was announced in the Scotland squad for the Six Nations, we were very proud of the ex-Crusader/Canterbury player!  In a dream debut, he went on to score a try in his first game for his adopted country, and then set up a try the following weekend, vs Italy.  BECAUSE of Mr Maitland playing for Scotland, we have begun following the Six Nations competition, and are looking very forward to being able to watch the next game, which is at the not-so-convenient-time of 3am next Monday morning!  Okay, so we MAY record it so we can watch it at a more awake-friendly time of the day, but you never know...  Perhaps a 3am wake up (followed by a 7.15am alarm...) will be all worth it, to watch our favourite European team, and favourite Kiwi-in-Scotland playing!  Besides, they are playing IRELAND.  Ireland have the best (rugby) National Anthem in the world.

In a move we felt was needed, Lauriel and I got Sky last week.  In September we are going to NEED digital TV anyway, so it kind of WAS needed in a way... but it was also NEEEEEDED so we could watch rugby on TV, and not have to put up with just having one game a week to watch on free-TV.  Hence on Friday night when the Rebels vs Force game kicked off, we both breathed an enormous sigh of relief.  The Super XV was officially underway, and we could watch it AS IT HAPPENED, and not have to rely on the delayed-coverage-of-one-game on Prime, and watching highlights on YouTube.  

David Pocock...
Sometimes one just can't deny the hotness factor

Neither of us are fans of Australian teams, nor of any Australian players (except David Pocock.  For some reason we like him), but rugby is rugby & beggars can't be choosers... but what we soon realised is that like most other rugby teams, the Australian teams have the occasional hotty playing for them!  Our 'observation' (this sounds more classy than 'perving') began and as could be predicted, we soon found players that made us hit 'live pause' so we could take a better look and say "Oooo!  Who is that?"  "Number 14!"  "I'll google him!".  That process was repeated four times - three times for the Rebels and once for the Force.  By the end of the game we had four names to add to our list of rugby hotness (I kid you not, it exists) - Hugh Pyle, Mitch Inman, Lachlan Mitchell and my personal favourite, Patrick Dellit.  The following night when the Brumbies played the Reds, our search wasn't as successful, with us only adding one name to our list - that of Pat McCabe.  So when you add in David Pocock, that is 6 Aussie players on our list... something that is hard to accept (being die hard All Blacks fans!), but it seems it is hard to ignore eye candy, even when it could potentially be dressed in Green & Gold, playing against the Men in Black, come Rugby Championship time.

I now leave you with my personal highlight from the first week of the 2013 SuperXV competition...

Welcome to the list of hotness, Mr Patrick Dellit!

!!! you sneaky photo, how did you end up on here????

EOYT Squad. God I'm Good. & WTF Steve?

The All Blacks squad for the end of year tour was announced yesterday, and for the most part the selections were obvious.  BUT (yes - there is always a but), there are a couple of admissions and exclusions which puzzle the hell out of me, and make me wonder exactly what is Steve thinking?

See ya later, Piri.

The first, and potentially the most obvious admission - Piri Weepu.  WTF STEVE?  I understand that Piri has the potential to be bloody awesome on the field, I mean, the guy developed quite the cult following during the Rugby World Cup, he really was on fire.  But this year, it seems that Piri has been coated in flame retardant.  There has been no sign of that fire, hell - there aren't even a few embers lying around.  No.  In 2012, Piri is more like saturated firewood - without a match in sight.  Or should that be a match start?

The kid Piri mentored has surpassed him. Oops.

I think that all that is really saving Piri's ass here, is the fact he is another goal kicking option - but with Beauden Barrett improving with each game, and the skill of Aaron Cruden, and of course Dan Carter, I don't think this little saving grace is going to be saving his ass much longer.  Especially not when there is another #9 nipping at his heels.  A number #9 he helped to mentor whilst playing with the Hurricanes.  Yeap - TJ Perenara, who is finally on his way back from inury, after breaking his ankle in a[n unofficial] Super XV match against the Reds (?) this season.  TJ outplayed Piri in all aspects of the game during the 2012 Super XV, and other than Aaron Smith, he was the most exciting #9 playing in the Super XV - and I have a feeling that had he not been injured, he quite possibly could have been in this end of year tour squad, or at the very least, been in the Maori All Blacks tour squad.  Then there is Tawera Kerr-Barlow, who also outplayed Piri this season - but more on him later.

Long story short?  Don't expect to see Piri in the black jersey, in 2013!

Yeap, I'd be feeling that way too, Ali

The other curious admission is Ali Williams.  I scratch my head and try to come up with reasons he was selected, after playing bugger all rugby this year - and I fail to come up with any reasons, other than the fact he's played 50+ tests for the All Black, and could be seen as a good leader for other locks selected (Sam Whitelock, Brodie Rettalick, Luke Romano) - even if judging by that list, he would be the 4th favoured lock on the list.  Maybe Steve has more faith in him than the NZ public (and it seems, a lot of the rugby fraternity), but I don't understand how he is in the team.  Surely Jarrad Hoeata could have been given a look in, particularly with his ability to play other positions in the forwards, as well.  Then there is Craig Clarke, who had an excellent Super XV season for the Chiefs?  I highly doubt that Ali Williams will make it to the end of the end of year tour, uninjured - and the way Clarke, Hoeata & Jason Eaton have been playing, it will probably signal the end of his time in the black jersey.

Dane Coles - the dude can run.

It's not all doom and gloom and bitching though!  I let out a little squeeeee of delight, when I saw that Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Dane Coles had been named in the squad - both are players I noticed early in the Super XV season, and I remember saying on several occasions that both of them would be All Blacks by the end of the year.  Well - it's not quite the end of the year, and they are now named in the All Blacks squad, and one has to imagine that both will get some game time in Europe.  I am especially glad that Dane Coles got in, because while we seem to have an abundance of talent when it comes to the backs, and most of the forwards positions, hooker is one where we are lacking.   Dane Coles did a great job for the Hurricanes, showing he could do the physical work of a hooker - but that he could also run... and I think it's a great idea to get him in the squad while the likes of Keven Mealamu and Andrew Hore are still around to mentor him, to help boost his confidence and skill, so that when the time comes for those players to retire, we won't be let with a big gaping hole, in the hooking department.

Tawera Kerr-Barlow, more in form than Piri, in 2012

And yes, I understand that I just mentioned 'gaping holes' when discussing hookers.

All in all, a pretty awesome squad to take on Scotland, Italy, Wales and England - with the possibility for one of these games to be a swan song for two or three of the players, but also the possibility for a lot of young up and comers to really stamp their mark on the team.

Statisgasmic

My birthday is on September 22nd.  I am a Virgo.  By nature, Virgos are meant to be analytical (as well as organised, which as anyone who knows me knows - I am NOT)..  Every now and then, that little analytical streak in me comes out, and I have myself a statisgasm...  Similar to a nerdgasm, but more specific... more specialised.  Yes.  My brain 'gets off' to statistics.

As long as the statistics are interesting.
Sadly a lot aren't.

HOWEVER.  Rugby statistics.... they can cause multiple statisgasms.

(halfback) TJ Perenara scores a trie for the Hurricanes

For example... did you know that of the 559 tries scored (thus far) across all SuperXV teams, 360 were scored by backs, as opposed to only 199 scored by forwards - and that within the backs, 143 of their tries were scored by wings, with Center and Halfback scoring 84 and 74 respectively - with the fullback further back on 59.

'Snakey' scores at home, for the Hurricanes

As for WHEN tries are most often scored?  I can tell you they are most often scored at home, in the second half - most specifically between 41-60 minutes.  11 teams scored more tries at home, with 2 teams scoring the same amount of tries both at home and away.  NONE of the teams in the playoffs scored more tries away, than at home - so does this indicate that the teams playing at home for their quarter/semi/final have more of a likelihood of winning?  All teams in the playoffs have won a large majority of their home games.... (but then also a large majority of their away games also... so moot point?).

Tom Taylor on his way to 31 points
in one Super XV game (v Stormers)

When you get down to top points scorers, of the top 5, 3 are from New Zealand franchises - not surprisingly they are Cruden, Barrett and Tom Taylor.  Cruden and Barrett had a very similar number of penalties and conversions, however Tom Taylor had a substantially larger number of penalties.  Tom Taylor successfully kicked 15/17 conversions and 37/45 penalties - a strike rate of 84%
Aaron Cruden successfully kicked 35/44 conversions and 43/52 penalties - a strike rate of 81%
Beauden Barrett successfully kicked 35/51 conversions and 39/48 penalties - a strike rate of 75%.

I would love to be a rugby statistician!  Maybe if they offered rugby statistics at high school, I would have paid a tiny little bit of attention to maths.. because while I have never used Pythagorus' theorum (something to do with triangles?) since having to use it for pointless maths sessions at school, I quite often refer to my rugby statistics....  Come think of it - had they incorporated rugby into ALL of my subjects at school, I would quite possibly have been a little happier to stick around, rather than being in a hell of a rush to get out of there....  Now.  A PhD in rugby.. THAT would be pretty fucking awesome.........