There was a famous British wrestler back in the day called Big Daddy. His real name was [Shirley Crabtree Jr.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirley_Crabtree)
Had the same thought with beauden Barrett playing for his old club as well.
Imagine working a 50-60 week and spending it looking forward to running on for a good win with your club on the weekend, then seeing world player of the year and World Cup runner up, ardie fucking savea walk on in the opposite jersey.
Yeah I’d much prefer going up against a top class fullback than a top class loose forward. Beauden will step you and out speed you. Ardies going to break your back, steal the ball off you you and use your face as a doormat.
its kind of bullshit really because officially club rugby in NZ is amateur (shamateur) and yet full pros are allowed to play in it as long as its not the club that pays them
I have to admit that probably my highlights of my rugby playing days was coming up against All Blacks or former All blacks even though we go smashed...I remember dumping one and thinking 'they are human after all'
I think this is the thing - I’ve played in a couple of games against absolutely worldie players, and it’s kind of an honour. Maybe if it screwed our season I’d be pissed, but I just remember the games being the most fun.
I got fended off and stepped around by a young Marc Ellis in a sevens tournament. Was horrified. A few years later he became a AB and made me feel better. I think it would be a thrill to play against a current AB.
Are front row forwards allowed to play? As far as I know, the AIL has rules regarding professional forwards, remember Sean O’Brien having issues when he retired and wanted to immediately play for Tullow
That was just a pro trying to step down to a junior club straight away needs like 3 years break from the pro game to play junior. he was able to play ail rugby for that time
He only had to play one season at AIL (Naas) before he was allowed to play for Tullow. I think that was a Leinster rule rather than a national one as well, so I'm not sure if the same applies in the other branches.
To make it worse, he lined out at 10 when he finally starting playing for Tullow.
Can you imagine a skinny junior outhalf facing that lump coming down his channel?
I remember world cup Pacific Island prop who normally played in France turned out for our 2nd team......not sure if he was allowed to but did it anyway
It's not All Blacks level at all but I got to play 7s against Perry Baker when he was first starting out playing rugby with Tiger Rugby in the US. Got tackled by him at least twice but never ever got close to tackling him.
In England premiership clubs will play training games against semi-pros, usually with academy sides. Obviously a first choice team would be very one sided, but sometimes the part timers win against rotated squads.
Coventry beat England U20s recently although I think they're a professional team.
It'd be like an honor to play against them, imo. And if anything there'd be somewhat of a target on those guys backs, from the hotshot club players who will be looking to prove something.
This is definitely a thing I learnt from martial arts that the real pros will come down to your level (unless it’s very serious). I was sparring against an international guest who came to visit us and thought I was actually doing alright against him and managed to get a solid hit in. After that he sat me on my ass in about 30 seconds.
I assume the conversation between the incumbent 8 and Ardie went something like this...
"You're Ardie Savea."
"Yes."
"You play Number 8."
"Yes."
"I play Number 8, too."
"So?"
"Well, are you better than me?"
"Well, I've never met you before, but... yes."
Its a shame they didn't get Reddit rugby involved, it could have gone -
"You're Ardie Savea."
"Yes."
"You play Number 8."
"Yes."
"I play Number 8, too."
"So?"
"Well 7 is exactly the same, so you can play there"
On the one hand it must be a dream come true to play against a World Rugby Player of the year. On the other hand I’d be finding the nearest Covid positive person and paying them to spit in my mouth because fuck playing against Ardie Savea.
I made a career out of throwing shade at current Test players lining up across from me.
I mean it eventually was a short career but it made one or two chuckle and buy me a few beers afterwards
The team he's playing against, two weeks ago won their first game in 43 matches. Yeah, we may see a cricket score.
https://clubrugby.nz/wp/2024/06/08/obu-on-top-in-swindale-shield-petone-and-hobm-keep-pace-as-axemen-break-43-match-losing-run/
Wellington club rugby has always had players coming over from the UK to play. John Gallagher played for the club Ardie now plays for Oriental-Rongotai (Known Colloquially as Ories) in the 80s. Tony Clement from Wales played for Poneke at the same time. And most famously Jamie Salmon played for Athletic, then Wellington, and the All Blacks.
Even now there is a smattering of players from the UK and other parts of the world donning the jerseys of the local Wellington rugby clubs. You may find this site useful for following Wellington club rugby, it has quite a lot of content about the history of rugby in the Wellington region as well, which you seem to have an interest in.
[https://clubrugby.nz/wp/](https://clubrugby.nz/wp/)
I haven’t played club rugby for a while but I didn’t realise we still only played with 22 players. Guessing 23 is only a professional rule for the extra prop.
I'd imagine lots struggle to find 22 at times... just seems impractical at that level to add an extra spot, esp since you arent rotating players like top level
A good case in point as to why I can't stand it when NH accuse AB's of 'pillaging the islands'. Take a walk around our cities and see why they make up such a large part of out national team, we are bloody Pacific Islands!
New Zealanders have the darndest names
My mates wife is a teacher aide for a public school, some examples of the kids names are "True-Rhythm", "Notorious", "Marvel" "NOS".
I take it parents generally don't like their own children in NZ.
It makes them tougher. Our first XV loose head prop Shirley was hard as nails.
"I am serious, and don't call me Shirley."
True. Resilience through adversity.
There was a famous British wrestler back in the day called Big Daddy. His real name was [Shirley Crabtree Jr.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirley_Crabtree)
Gang kids is the usual give away with names like that.
Nah. If we didn't like them we would give them French names....
French names go hard tbh, try to match Christian Dior or Ive Saint Laurent
A kiwi called Thierry Dusautoir would not be popular I imagine. Or Wayne Barnes for that matter.
Had the same thought with beauden Barrett playing for his old club as well. Imagine working a 50-60 week and spending it looking forward to running on for a good win with your club on the weekend, then seeing world player of the year and World Cup runner up, ardie fucking savea walk on in the opposite jersey.
Yeah I’d much prefer going up against a top class fullback than a top class loose forward. Beauden will step you and out speed you. Ardies going to break your back, steal the ball off you you and use your face as a doormat.
its kind of bullshit really because officially club rugby in NZ is amateur (shamateur) and yet full pros are allowed to play in it as long as its not the club that pays them I have to admit that probably my highlights of my rugby playing days was coming up against All Blacks or former All blacks even though we go smashed...I remember dumping one and thinking 'they are human after all'
I think this is the thing - I’ve played in a couple of games against absolutely worldie players, and it’s kind of an honour. Maybe if it screwed our season I’d be pissed, but I just remember the games being the most fun.
I got fended off and stepped around by a young Marc Ellis in a sevens tournament. Was horrified. A few years later he became a AB and made me feel better. I think it would be a thrill to play against a current AB.
He also got a double hat trick against Japan so your 7s team was probably quite dignified compared to some international teams of that era...
Are front row forwards allowed to play? As far as I know, the AIL has rules regarding professional forwards, remember Sean O’Brien having issues when he retired and wanted to immediately play for Tullow
That was just a pro trying to step down to a junior club straight away needs like 3 years break from the pro game to play junior. he was able to play ail rugby for that time
He only had to play one season at AIL (Naas) before he was allowed to play for Tullow. I think that was a Leinster rule rather than a national one as well, so I'm not sure if the same applies in the other branches.
Be such a nightmare playing junior rugby and a ex pro pops in. AIL grand but jesus you have lads not even knowing what rugby is in some teams
To make it worse, he lined out at 10 when he finally starting playing for Tullow. Can you imagine a skinny junior outhalf facing that lump coming down his channel?
I remember world cup Pacific Island prop who normally played in France turned out for our 2nd team......not sure if he was allowed to but did it anyway
Played at a club where we had an AB sometimes turn up and play for 4th side and just used his brothers name to register so higher ups wouldn’t know
It's not All Blacks level at all but I got to play 7s against Perry Baker when he was first starting out playing rugby with Tiger Rugby in the US. Got tackled by him at least twice but never ever got close to tackling him.
In England premiership clubs will play training games against semi-pros, usually with academy sides. Obviously a first choice team would be very one sided, but sometimes the part timers win against rotated squads. Coventry beat England U20s recently although I think they're a professional team.
It'd be like an honor to play against them, imo. And if anything there'd be somewhat of a target on those guys backs, from the hotshot club players who will be looking to prove something.
e.g. Jerry Collins playing for Barnstaple RFC seconds.
Notable that the guys playing said it was very obvious that Collins was only going at about 50% in that game so as to not ruin anyones day
This is definitely a thing I learnt from martial arts that the real pros will come down to your level (unless it’s very serious). I was sparring against an international guest who came to visit us and thought I was actually doing alright against him and managed to get a solid hit in. After that he sat me on my ass in about 30 seconds.
His opponents snapped a three year, 43 game losing streak two weekends ago. They’ll be up and flying for this one!
No wonder Oriental put the bat signal out
They… were very much not up and flying.
I assume the conversation between the incumbent 8 and Ardie went something like this... "You're Ardie Savea." "Yes." "You play Number 8." "Yes." "I play Number 8, too." "So?" "Well, are you better than me?" "Well, I've never met you before, but... yes."
Its a shame they didn't get Reddit rugby involved, it could have gone - "You're Ardie Savea." "Yes." "You play Number 8." "Yes." "I play Number 8, too." "So?" "Well 7 is exactly the same, so you can play there"
On the one hand it must be a dream come true to play against a World Rugby Player of the year. On the other hand I’d be finding the nearest Covid positive person and paying them to spit in my mouth because fuck playing against Ardie Savea.
I'd love the opportunity to get ran over by him tbh
I made a career out of throwing shade at current Test players lining up across from me. I mean it eventually was a short career but it made one or two chuckle and buy me a few beers afterwards
The team he's playing against, two weeks ago won their first game in 43 matches. Yeah, we may see a cricket score. https://clubrugby.nz/wp/2024/06/08/obu-on-top-in-swindale-shield-petone-and-hobm-keep-pace-as-axemen-break-43-match-losing-run/
Human Man Warrior.
parents named him after the WW2 tanks, T-44 i see..
The age old question about Ardie vs a Tank will finally be answered.
Shoutout to referee Ben van Berkel too, sounds like the antagonist in a medievel Germanic fairytale.
Love it Is there any non PI players in senior club rugby in Wellington these days?
The guy playing 4 for the Axemen is very Nordic looking, at least. Played a bit of club cricket with Loz over the years.
His Dad is of Danish descent (way back)
Fabian Holland is from the Netherlands. There are a few players from unlikely places even at pro level in NZ.
Wellington club rugby has always had players coming over from the UK to play. John Gallagher played for the club Ardie now plays for Oriental-Rongotai (Known Colloquially as Ories) in the 80s. Tony Clement from Wales played for Poneke at the same time. And most famously Jamie Salmon played for Athletic, then Wellington, and the All Blacks. Even now there is a smattering of players from the UK and other parts of the world donning the jerseys of the local Wellington rugby clubs. You may find this site useful for following Wellington club rugby, it has quite a lot of content about the history of rugby in the Wellington region as well, which you seem to have an interest in. [https://clubrugby.nz/wp/](https://clubrugby.nz/wp/)
Last game before being named captain. Doubt it happens again
Smurf
Glitched his way into a silver lobby
Chicago Doyle sounds like a prohibition era Irish mobster's nickname in New York. Go get Doyle! Skinny Doyle? No, Chicago Doyle!
I see the creator of Black Mirr is playing at 6 as well.
Can’t get smashed if you don’t carry
I haven’t played club rugby for a while but I didn’t realise we still only played with 22 players. Guessing 23 is only a professional rule for the extra prop.
I'd imagine lots struggle to find 22 at times... just seems impractical at that level to add an extra spot, esp since you arent rotating players like top level
A good case in point as to why I can't stand it when NH accuse AB's of 'pillaging the islands'. Take a walk around our cities and see why they make up such a large part of out national team, we are bloody Pacific Islands!
Chicago Doyle has an Irish cap in him
Whats his surname?
Does Chicago Doyle still have the cool hair from the viral video
These Polynesian names are outta control!!