Uriah Heap

Donald has stumbled upon the fact that many Americans enjoy seeing their country flexing their muscle and delivering a good bombardment. Not only do they enjoy it, but it diverts their attention away from shady dealings with the Russians. So now expect to see less of his "Keep America out of Syria/Nato etc" rhetoric and more of "watch out or you'll be next".

I'd like to see this viewer involvement extended into Rugby Union. I'll be on the Email every time I see those cheating Crusaders going off their feet and sealing off the ball.

I'd like to see this viewer involvement extended into Rugby Union. I'll be on the Email every time I see those cheating Crusaders going off their feet and sealing off the ball.

Sorry, I missed that. Did you say something??

At the moment Guptill's reputation continues to be tarnished by his inability to score runs at Test level. I reckon once he's retired and ten years have gone by, we'll have forgotten all that and just have fond memories of his many great one day innings.He'll be up on that historic pedestal where he clearly belongs.

Here we go. All set for the kick off this weekend. Golly that's come around quickly. I'm still sitting here waiting for summer to start..
Never mind; the boots are being laced, the Mighty Canes are the defending Champs and now we have another Barrett who looks faster than his brother.
Bring it on!

I can't help but agree Aqua. The man is walking his talk and plenty are "squirming" not only the establishment. I find it all fascinating; like a documentary about the Hindenburg Disaster. I want to look away, but just can't.
I think you're being somewhat hard on ex President Obama. Those former Presidents you list were not followed by a President such as President Trump. It's a completely new ball game in Washington now Trump has arrived and that includes former President's openly criticising him.

Who gives a rat's - the only outcome on the concrete will be players injured for the seasom 

Russia is the winner.

C'mon Ohokaman get in the Xmas spirit. It's the season for giving and the NZRU are feeling the mood.

Kieran Read about to join the $1 million per annum club. Worth every cent of that, I reckon. Let's start a Givealittle to get it to $2 mill a year.

Two more years on the building site will keep you fit and healthy Globederby, pus content in the knowledge that you're assisting NZ's economy.

I wonder if John Cleese continually clipping him around the head contributed to his dementia? 

Thoughts
Barrett was outstanding and fully deserved that "World Player of the Year" title. He's the sort of player who makes you sit up every time he's on the ball - Similar to Christian Cullen and Jonah Lomu. I quite like him back at fullback. Allows him to roam a bit wider late in the match. I also like Cruden when he playing 1st five. A very good General.
All Blacks are world leaders but other teams now Coached by Aussies and Kiwi's who are not set in their ways. They are looking at the AB's style and going "We need to play like that". Unfortunately for NZ the other teams are looking quite useful when they do play that style.
Aussie - Lack depth, but not heart, esp when vs AB's. Nothings changed there.
South Africa - No heart, no purpose no unity. A 'cot case' and this is not good for world rugby.
Ireland - Played some great rugby and then let themselves down with all that carry on after the match in Dublin. "Cry babies" is what we used to refer to them as.
6 nations should be a cracker and very tough, this northern season. A nice lead in to the Lions tour. This will not be easy for the AB's in 2017.
Steve Tew - The most put upon man in the world this year. Fair go. I'm surprised he hasn't been fingered for the Bain murders.
Filipo - Never heard his school, his family or Rugby League (his favourite sport he was playing at the time), apologise for his drunken assault, late on a Saturday night. But Rugby Union had to get down, and bend over, and take it. Fair go, that was a real beat up and a great chance for all rugby haters to come out of the woodwork.
Now it's time for a break. No oval ball for the next three months. Rest and recuperation - ready for 2017
 

Biggest Test match of the year this weekend. Their home ground, they gave \us a good touch up last start and we're tired after a long season. I reckon that makes the All Blacks the underdogs and I like that. If it pours with rain they're even more the favs. Can't wait.

Whoa! See those NPC games they're showing on Sky Sport right now from 10 years ago. All those All Blacks, all those big crowds. 10 years on and it's completely different. No All Blacks, no crowds. Am I allowed to pine for the "Good old days".

Whoa! See those NPC games they're showing on Sky Sport right now from 10 years ago. All those All Blacks, all those big crowds. 10 years on and it's completely different. No All Blacks, no crowds. Am I allowed to pine for the "Good old days".

That's interesting. I would have thought the depth of the field was a better indication of the races strength.
Dropping the Wellington Cup to G3 seems a bit harsh to me. Mind you, if they keep the prize money at a reasonable level, they are going to continue to attract the same type of horse who has been lining up when it was G2. It's still the race won by Great Sensation and Castletown, Owners will likely remain keen to have their horses name alongside those on the Cup.

That's interesting. I would have thought the depth of the field was a better indication of the races strength.
Dropping the Wellington Cup to G3 seems a bit harsh to me. Mind you, if they keep the prize money at a reasonable level, they are going to continue to attract the same type of horse who has been lining up when it was G2. It's still the race won by Great Sensation and Castletown, Owners will likely remain keen to have their horses name alongside those on the Cup.

I'm a big fan of the The Informant. Really enjoyable read every week. Long may it continue.

I'm a big fan of the The Informant. Really enjoyable read every week. Long may it continue.

I'm a big fan of the The Informant. Really enjoyable read every week. Long may it continue.

Yep hear what you're saying Barry. It's real tough watching New Zealand smashing everyone, with Julian Savea running over the top of people and Beauden Barrett slicing through for amazing tries. I want to hate it, I really do....but i just can't. I'm so ashamed to admit that "I JUST LOVE IT."
Get a bit of patriotism in you son. That'll make it easier for you to enjoy.

You'll like this story Ziggy.I came over to Wainuiomata on Saturday with a junior rugby union team. End of season, lots of injury and we only had 14. A little Polynesian fellow called Jack from Wainui said he'd played his game earlier (two grades lower) and would make up the numbers for us. The boy was a revelation, tackling kids much bigger than himself, running with heart and generally getting stuck in. In the end he had to come off after his 2nd head knock. We gave him player of the day.
A top kid, with plenty of character and a great advertisment for Wainui. 

You'll like this story Ziggy.I came over to Wainuiomata on Saturday with a junior rugby union team. End of season, lots of injury and we only had 14. A little Polynesian fellow called Jack from Wainui said he'd played his game earlier (two grades lower) and would make up the numbers for us. The boy was a revelation, tackling kids much bigger than himself, running with heart and generally getting stuck in. In the end he had to come off after his 2nd head knock. We gave him player of the day.
A top kid, with plenty of character and a great advertisment for Wainui.