posted Jul 1, 2008

When it comes to "using his worldly rugby knowledge to expertly analyze games and predict outcomes", Zinzan Brooke is a first class clown.

Remember his arrogance at RWC2007 when he said that there was no way NZ wouldn't win? (even (admittedly) being cajoled into saying he'd shave his head if they didn't win...did he ever follow through with that?)

Remember him saying halfway through the 2008 5N that there was no way Wales would beat either Ireland or France?

And most recently remember him predicting very close games between NZ and England?

Brooke, it's about time you return to the farm. At least there no-one except the sheep will have to listen to your bleating.

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posted Jul 1, 2008

'Remember him saying halfway through the 2008 5N that there was no way Wales would beat either Ireland or France?'

Yes the five nations that ended a number of years ago when Italy joined! lol!

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posted Jul 2, 2008

Hardly worth the read and not what you might call cutting edge journalism. I find what Kiwi's (the land of the choker's)say about rugby very tedious and so one sided it is not true. Whatever you are paying him is too much.

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posted Jul 2, 2008

come on then golden nuts, why dont you treat us with some nuggets of rugby wisdom them?

frankly I know of no one blessed with rugby omnipotence so it is a wonder to me why people should expect ex players to somehow possess that ability.

Zinzan might not be the most astute observer but it seems you want your cake and to eat it too when you suggest he is arrogant to tip the ABs to win the RWC and then having a go at him for tipping a close fought ABs v Eng series?

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posted Jul 2, 2008

Good points about preparation.

No mention however of poor selection and absence of key players.

The back line for the Autumn internationals will only include Tait for certain - of those selected in June.

The only other possibility is Noon but I would rather have Lewsey or Hipkiss or Waters at outside centre.

As for the forwards - Sherry, Hartley, Vickers, Shaw will beef up the pack - absolutely staggered that Hartley was not picked - were they scared of his temperament? MJ won't be !

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posted Jul 2, 2008

In response to hanriverking, it is a well known fact that an All Black will not swap his jersey with a rival unless he believes that the rival has given his all in the match. Just as for the individual, his rival must 'earn' the jersey. I can't fault that.

I quite enjoy Zinny's commentary. Makes for interesting reading having an independent observer comment on England's performances. Sometimes the truth hurts...

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posted Jul 4, 2008

Zinzan is clearly suffering from the Stockholm Effect from too much time in Old Blighty and needs to return to the motherland for re-programming in All Black form and predictions.

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posted Jul 4, 2008

Totally agree - the sooner we realise that we do not match the skills sets the AB's have teh sooner we can start moving on = I wonder how much Martin Johnston will bring to the backs

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posted Jul 5, 2008

A New Zealander worried about a replacement for McCaw huge smoke screen.
Same things were said when Shelford, Zinny Kronfeld, Collins and Jones retired.
no these aren't in the right order but somehow NZ still manage to "find" another worldclass backrower

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posted Jul 7, 2008

Why have a go at him? He is talking sense isn't he? His comments on England are acurate and to the point. Ok, he is being a little shy when it comes to NZ's chances in the Tri Nations but so what? He may get a few predictions wrong but I am pretty sure none of us can see into the future, if we could we would win a fair bit of money right?
He was an excellent, excellent player and is still has a good ear to the ground. I don't think he is one sided at all and even if he is then so what? Everyone has their views and part of being a 'grown up' is you listen to some and discount others.

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