Stade Francais confirm 13 players leaving, including ex-Wasps duo

I would love to know what stats are/were looked at and why. How much of it was gut, how much of it was data driven. If you have a bias you can always find data to back it up.

Perofeta at fullback for example - No doubt he is a great player, but he only played a handful of games in that position for the Blues, mainly because Plummer had outplayed him at 10 and they wanted to find space for him. Based on that, did some stats lead them to decide Perofeta was the ABs new starting fullback over Barrett or Love, or was it something else?

Was their starting point "this is our game plan, based on that we will focus on xyz stats" Or was it "which stats actually have an effect on the outcome of the game, we will focus on those"

With Sotutu did the stats he topped matter more for winning games than the ones he was not good in? Or some other factor like versatility.

England legend Emily Scarratt to join exclusive club against New Zealand

CN 59 minutes ago

Congratulations Emily Scarratt, I was at Leicester when she received her 100th cap against Ireland so to witness her 100th is quite something. I am backing Red Roses to win but I think they will struggle for fluency and control initially before growing into the match. Black Ferns will have opportunities.

2 Go to comments

Wayneo 1 hour ago

You can choose any one of the two semis they played against the Bulls.

How the All Blacks were caught up after 'golden decade'

Spew_81 1 hour ago

If Darry got in this year, Holland will likely get in as soon as he's eligible.

Not to say that Darry is a bad player. He needs to fill out and keep looking for contact and developing those skills etc. I'm sure being 2.03m helped Darry get picked. Holland is taller and bigger. I think Holland will see out Darry and Lord as the tall timber in the team.

The All Blacks got a bit lucky that England has shortish locks and the really tall Springboks were injured.

How the All Blacks were caught up after 'golden decade'

Spew_81 1 hour ago

He's a bit like Retallick. A wee bit of a hot head, gives away the odd penalty etc. But I see that as a good thing, at this stage. A player can be taught to restrain the fire in their belly, but fire can't be added to their belly if it's not there.

Super Rugby Pacific introduces ‘lucky loser’ as part of new format for 2025

RugCs 1 hour ago

That would be funny. There is no sense in that, if a team based on log position cannot be eliminated from an elimination match then what the point of having an elimination match.

6 Go to comments

NB 1 hour ago

'Schmidt will not be forgiven or forgotten if Wallabies suffer Bled-bath'

Do I have to add basic addition to your list of faux pas now?

Eddie v Argy = 0/1 = 0%

Joe v Argy = 1/2 - 50%

At least learn to count man!

235 Go to comments

NB 2 hours ago

How the All Blacks were caught up after 'golden decade'

Forgot the tier two nations like Portugal and Wales!

How the All Blacks were caught up after 'golden decade'

DP 2 hours ago

Or Italy, Wales, Scotland...

Ed the Duck 2 hours ago

Yeah, short term that’s a valid question but the big picture is still fukced for nz…

Ed the Duck 2 hours ago

You’ve rather missed the point old bean. The issue is NZ & Aus have been left high and dry to play with themselves, and lack a thriving, lucrative or even vaguely competitive league. What is it, 6 from 11 AND a ‘lucky loser’ in the ‘playoffs’ next year…B teams all round then!!!😂😂😂

When the Boks also move north, and they will - ground already being prepared moving from TRC to tours - the isolation will only grow further.

Aus are FUKCED and will remain that way for a long time, ru is a distant 5th for them and slowly dying.

The only distant lifeline is Japan and that will not be quick.

So in conclusion, apart from all those woes, everything’s in great shape…🤑🤑🤑😂😂😂

How the All Blacks were caught up after 'golden decade'

DP 2 hours ago

That extra 1.5% makes all the difference... just ask Ireland 😉