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Rugby World CupEnglandNew Zealand

The game that made Maro Itoje a star in rugby


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Jim Hamilton gives an analysis of the incredible performance of Maro Itoje in the Rugby World Cup semi final against New Zealand in 2019.

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Comments on RugbyPass

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NB 4 minutes ago
The three selections that reveal how Les Kiss’ Wallabies will play

Slips is amazing for his age JW. We tried to get him to Ireland!

Grooter is one of the topics of my next piece - enjoy!



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NB 6 minutes ago
Joe Schmidt bows out on a high - but can the Wallabies escape 'the twilight zone'?

Thanks TL for a good post.

I don’t really feel we shd be comparing Joe’s reign to Eddie’s, which was a short-term, quicfire disaster of only 11 games in 10 months.



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C
CT 7 minutes ago
All Black great Ma'a Nonu leaves Toulon for new role at South African club

Will add value to the sport unlike you Bennie

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R
RD 11 minutes ago
All Blacks report card: All 32 Nations Championship players rated

He started for Waikato at centre and set his outsides up well or glided, not bashed, through gaps. Quite different to how he has played at 12.

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B
Bazzallina 15 minutes ago
All Blacks report card: All 32 Nations Championship players rated

Herschel Jantjies …either or way over the next year that other 9 jersey is I believe well up for grabs even a real deal standout Super season could grab it let’s see if Pledger can be that dude

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Q
Quincy79 18 minutes ago
All Black great Ma'a Nonu leaves Toulon for new role at South African club

Code 12? If that is teaching Julies (the Boogie man) and Hooker the tricks of the trades then I’m for that. Let the commencement begin.

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Bazzallina 23 minutes ago
All Blacks report card: All 32 Nations Championship players rated

Cortez albeit no real time on paddock has looked alright for me it’s been primarily a bit of a confidence thing in saying that one would have thought Preston would have played think any either or way it’s probs our biggest gap atm I reckon not just a backup but somebody who can add value whether frim bench or starting imo anyhow Cam cannot play every game and possibly every test so somebody going to get a shot or 2

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B
Blackmania 27 minutes ago
Eight possible bolters for the All Blacks' 44-man squad to tour South Africa

I think so. I have serious doubts about Tavatavanawai’s work rate, especially when he really has to cover a lot of ground. I don’t think he has the aerobic engine required, so I can’t see him getting called up tomorrow.

Harkin is an excellent player who can cover both 10 and 15. He ticks all the boxes for a call-up to the squad of 44.



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B
Bazzallina 28 minutes ago
All Blacks report card: All 32 Nations Championship players rated

Maybe but if they stay at silver keep working at the coalface things can change and come WC any given Sunday might get a lil lucky

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CT 33 minutes ago
Report: Moana Pasifika's Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa tipped to make All Blacks squad

They need all the help that they can from the outside,coming up against a 100 percent South African team LMA Benny

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Blackmania 33 minutes ago
Eight possible bolters for the All Blacks' 44-man squad to tour South Africa

Taking a fourth first five won’t change anything in that regard… any injury would open the door for Mo’unga anyway.

It seems Rennie now considers RM’s presence less important than he did a few weeks ago. He appears to have come to terms with his absence. Ruben Love’s performances have clearly played a part in that.



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B
Blackmania 41 minutes ago
Eight possible bolters for the All Blacks' 44-man squad to tour South Africa

Exactly. No one is questioning Kirifi’s commitment or work ethic. But at Test level last year, his strengths were far less evident. He’s undersized and is too often driven off rucks. He’s also not versatile at all, doesn’t provide any value in the lineout, and is a long way from the profile of players like Jacobson and Segner, who seem to be Rennie’s preferred options.

I doubt he’s in Rennie’s plans, even in an expanded squad of 44. We’ll find out tomorrow.



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J
JW 43 minutes ago
Nine players whose stock rose massively this July in Nations Championship

Also on the AB front Dmac and Jacobsen are the biggest stock rises. These are mainly based on coaching preference rather than form on the ground which I suspect these names came from.

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PB 1 hour ago
Contest or no contest? The eternal struggle between the Springboks and All Blacks

Like which teams. Elucidate. This should be fun!

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T
Tah Man Too 1 hour ago
Report: Moana Pasifika's Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa tipped to make All Blacks squad

That's a great pick up for the AB’s. He was outstanding these past two seasons in SRP. With a little extra conditioning he's gonna be a class international.

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J
JW 1 hour ago
All Blacks report card: All 32 Nations Championship players rated

Great chat, proper invested shot callers rather than a celeb group (Wilson one of the weaker members was my take).

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OutRun22 1 hour ago
All Blacks report card: All 32 Nations Championship players rated

hotham is miles better than rartimer hes the 6th best. i would even put lennox ahead of fartimer.

57 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
The three selections that reveal how Les Kiss’ Wallabies will play

Rennie’s still going hard with LJ!

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J
JW 1 hour ago
The three selections that reveal how Les Kiss’ Wallabies will play

Depends on who the props where in SS.

Dearns ruled that out from happening pretty clearly.



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J
JW 1 hour ago
The three selections that reveal how Les Kiss’ Wallabies will play

Say Slipper is still going as well as did last year NB can you save a player like that for the RWC, minimal minutes maximum body health, and still have him firing and in form for the Cup?

Interestingly Bazz has pointed out to me Grooter has dropped a few kgs this year according to Wilson @32 min https://www.tab.co.nz/punters/2026/07/podcast-pick-go/ thought you might like his shoutout about it



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21 Go to comments
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