NZGrade

We have traditionally been the innovators especially when it comes to attacking, running rugby. However in the recent past, most of the impactful innovations haven't been in this area of the game. Instead, they've been led by other nations and include things like defence as a weapon, 6-2 bench, an emphasis on power, preferring high balls to 'playing a lot of rugby' when the game is slow

This is not a 'we suck' or downbuzz post. I think we can become a complete team again, but it will require a bit of open mindedness and challenging some of our notions about how 'the game should be played'. The game is played to be won.

Rassie has elected to start the match with his front row bomb squad and short king Kolbe at fullback. That's all subject to change of course.

Who are you selecting to take the battle field for the ABs as the tour reaches its crescendo?

I think it's time to be bold, so I'm making some changes.

1. [de Groot / Bower]
2. Aumua
3. Newell
4. Holland
5. Darry
6. Vaa'i
7. Blackadder
8. Savea
9. Roigard
10. Love
11. Carter
12. Barrett
13. Tupaea
14. Jordan
15. McKenzie
16. Taukei'aho
17. Numia
18. Lomax
19. Tuipulotu
20. Lakai
21. Preston
22. Tavatavanawai
23. Ioane

Did they not care about the ominous pile of weapons and armour out the back of Circe's shed? Where were the men belonging to this armour, off sunbathing?

The only reaction to this extremely blatant red flag was one guy giving it a quick side-eye. Wouldn't the 2IC have the presence of mind to advise caution? Wouldn't SOMEONE say "maybe let's gtfoh"

I mean if someone spoke up and was overruled, the scene could've played out the same way, just better. In fact it would've been better had they just not had the pile of armour at all.

Very dumb yellow card tonight but I do like this guy. Hits rucks eagerly and generally makes life difficult for the other team. Who had him pegged to be the new ABs openside and looking quite comfortable doing it?

Watched this last night and thought it was worth a share as they dig into many of the points being debated online such as our loose forward mix and if it's right for how we want to play.

Read thinks the ABs plan to and should play a running- and counterattack-based game with less kicking. I agree this plays to our strengths. But if this is the plan, we need to commit to it and not resort to aimless kicks when it gets tough to make metres. The use of kicking needs to be smart and judicious.

Another concern I have is that without a dominant pack, we will have games where this gameplan gets exposed against the strong teams. Do we have the cattle to impose this type of game consistently? Some

I love Premier's beats. But many of his bangers are about chunky drums with massive kicks and snares, paired with great samples. Not necessarily bassline-driven.

Like his Shit is Real remix

Or FALA

Those are just examples. Obviously he has a lot more range than this. His older beats like Mass Appeal were quite different to those.

As a lover of funky sub basslines like Pete Rock Smooth Sailing (and countless others)...

I'm looking for classic Premier basslines that I might be missing out on? Post your picks

My favourite: [1, 2 Pass it](https:/

Just an absolutely... dogshit summer in Christchurch. Awful!

You're telling me we have to wait till MARCH to enjoy golden sun and 27 degrees on a weekend! Well I didn't move here from Noosa for this CRAP!

I just unpacked my Moncler puffer on Sunday because it was 2 degrees, and now it's HOT again! WHAT KIND OF SHIT IS THAT!

And no I WON'T enjoy the beach this weekend because it'll probably be WINDY and it's NOT SUMMER ANYMORE AND BEACHES ARE FOR SUMMER!

Ugh!!!

Surely this guy is the frontrunner after another epic performance in the final.

He's an absolute fucking beast and win, lose or draw is always among the top performers on the park. The AB coaches would kill to have him.

When Sharon Tate goes into the shop to order the book for Roman, she picks up a small statuette of a bird and admires it briefly.

I'm pretty sure this is the statuette from the classic noir The Maltese Falcon, which is a famous movie Macguffin.

Could this be referencing the fact that Sharon Tate in this movie is herself a Macguffin?

What do we think?