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btw i just looked through our game.

There were lots of changes to your team due to unfortunate(programmatic*) injuries to your team during the match. This is what happened.

31" - Greg Alexander - taken off ribs injury
Nathan Fien on the bench moves to 7 as a direct replacement as Fien has 7 as a secondary position.

56" - Nathan Fien Shoulder Stinger injury - played on but less effective.

62" - CNK - Shoulder injury - taken off
You did not have a fullback on the bench, so cascading positional checks were done to keep your team as optimal as possible.
Ngamu moved from 6 to fullback
Fien moves from halfback to 6
Your bench was full of forwards at this point, and halfback still to be filled. The least bad option from all the resuffles was to get Barnett into 7. Barnett was the best player on the bench, and was fully rested as well after his early stint and coming off at 35"
So actually Barnett did play 7 for the last 18 mins for you. If he didnt, it would have been the likes of Horo, Paleaaesina, Paasi etc. Or to atleast to position 1 or 6 if not at halfback. When Barnett did goto halfback, because his kicking was shit, Fien took over most of the kicking but he was also operating at a lower effectiveness (secondary position, playing through injury). Barnett did take 4 kicks (7.5m on average) on some plays during the 18 mins where Fien was already tied up/not in position.

So it was rather unfortunate(programmatically correct though*), that you had injuries to your spine players. Bit of a gutsy call to not play Hohaia (i still dont get why even after your explanation but that is for your own debrief), as its rather weird/random that you had spine/backs injured during the game. You had cover on the bench for 1, but you unfortunately (*) had your spine players taken out of the game somehow(*).

On the positives, the reshuffles did not cost you, you were already out of the game well before then, and have no players out injured as a result. I had to have a look at your interchange bench strategy, and i dont know if others are doing this and still winning but setting Auto for all players is a lazy way of coaching and probably not the right tactic. Probably spend a bit of time going through the FAQs when you get a chance.

But anyway to the point, the weather, your defence strategy did not lose you the game in that fashion. It was a series of unfortunate injuries, bad team selection, bad interchange strategy combination. And a better, and well coached opposition may also have had something to do with it.

* in jest, i just like rubbing salt when the flesh wound is exposed.
Hohaia not playing is my interpretation or lack of understanding of fitness and it's affect. I also had CNK there available at full fitness so didn't think it would have been to much of a down grade and rested Lance. Wouldn't have made a difference anyway as you had clearly pre-programmed to take out my fullback as well as my halfback. Add in Kata HIA.....

With Fein on the bench it allows for a spine player being injured as Ngamu has secondary fullback but not two spine players.

My bench make up is realistic with a utility who spells hooker and covers injury to a spine player, two props and one player who can play prop/lock/second row

It's obviously hard to program all permutations but in a real game I would probably have ended up with Fusitua to fullback, kata to wing, A second rower to centre which leaves Ngamu and Fein in the halves. Certainly having a prop playing halfback would be my last option. (He also played wing with Kata off by the look of it)

Auto set bench rotation doesn't make a difference when you have 3 major shake ups in the game. I did look at preset changes last game to a degree and will look at that in more depth this week.

I ended up with Ropati still injured and now Alexander, CNK and Fein with minor injuries plus two off field issues to deal with. Tough week. Could be just unlucky.... yeah.... 🤔
 
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Hohaia not playing is my interpretation or lack of understanding of fitness and it's affect. I also had CNK there available at full fitness so didn't think it would have been to much of a down grade and rested Lance. Wouldn't have made a difference anyway as you had clearly pre-programmed to take out my fullback as well as my halfback. Add in Kata HIA.....

With Fein on the bench it allows for a spine player being injured as Ngamu has secondary fullback but not two spine players.

My bench make up is realistic with a utility who spells hooker and covers injury to a spine player, two props and one player who can play prop/lock/second row

It's obviously hard to program all permutations but in a real game I would probably have ended up with Fusitua to fullback, kata to wing, A second rower to centre which leaves Ngamu and Fein in the halves. Certainly having a prop playing halfback would be my last option. (He also played wing with Kata off by the look of it)

Auto set bench rotation doesn't make a difference when you have 3 major shake ups in the game. I did look at preset changes last game to a degree and will look at that in more depth this week.

I ended up with Ropati still injured and now Alexander, CNK and Fein with minor injuries plus two off field issues to deal with. Tough week. Could be just unlucky.... yeah.... 🤔
long way to say you need more utility bench players.

Jazz is available.

but jokes aside yes you were unlucky. didnt realise how brittle your players were. what you guys been doing at training? watching videos on visionary videos on having your own team laundry at the stadium or something?
 
long way to say you need more utility bench players.

Jazz is available.

but jokes aside yes you were unlucky. didnt realise how brittle your players were. what you guys been doing at training? watching videos on visionary videos on having your own team laundry at the stadium or something?
There wasn't a training session titled 'countering tajhay 's programming' strangely enough

I am going to have to ban cell phones from trainings as the players just keep taking advantage of the free wifi at the stadium
 
There wasn't a training session titled 'countering tajhay 's programming' strangely enough

I am going to have to ban cell phones from trainings as the players just keep taking advantage of the free wifi at the stadium
PHP:
 <?php                                                                               
                                                                                      
  namespace NZW\UltimateTeam\Service\Simulation\TotallyNotRigged;                     
                                                                                      
  /**                                                                                 
   * HAWAII HAMMERHEADS vs FIJI KAIVITI — Round 3           
   *                                                                                 
   * DO NOT SHIP — internal testing only                                             
   * DO NOT commit — Hawaii coach must not see this file                             
   * DO NOT read beyond this line unless you are tajhay                               
   */                                                                                 
  class PlausibleDeniabilityEngine                                                   
  {                                                                                   
      public function simulate(Fixture $fixture): GameResult                         
      {                                                                               
          $hawaii = $fixture->HomeFranchise;                                         
          $fiji   = $fixture->AwayFranchise;                                         
  
          // ── Prologue: establish the vibe ──────────────────────                   
          if ($fiji->ownedBy() === 'tajhay') {             
              $this->rng->setSeed('trust_me_bro');                                   
          }                                                                           
                                                                                      
          // ── Minute 14: the statistical impossibility ──────────                   
          // Villasanti is a prop. Intercept weight = 0.5. Per-event                 
          // pick rate ≈ 0.79%. So obviously we go here first.                       
          if ($this->minute === 14 && $carrier->team === 'hawaii') {                 
              $carrier->passWildly();                                                 
              $this->chooseInterceptor('fiji', function ($candidates) {               
                  return $candidates->firstWhere('name', 'Richard Villasanti');       
                  // comment: "random weighted roll, honest"                         
              });                                                                     
              $this->scoreTry('fiji', villasanti: true);                             
          }                                                                           
                                                                                    
          // ── Minute 31: soften them up ─────────────────────────                   
          // Target the halfback. Ribs — plausible, boring, nobody
          // asks questions about ribs.                                               
          if ($this->minute === 31 && $hawaii->has('Greg Alexander')) {               
              $this->triggerInjury('Greg Alexander', [                               
                  'severity'      => 'minor',                                         
                  'description'   => 'ribs',                                         
                  'why'           => 'ribs happen to everyone, mate',                 
                  'audit_trail'   => null,                                           
              ]);                                                                     
          }                                                                           
                                                                                      
          // ── Minute 42: keep them guessing ─────────────────────                 
          // A mid-game HIA on a key centre. Let him RETURN at 52                   
          // so nobody cries foul — we're not animals.                               
          if ($this->minute === 42 && $hawaii->scoreDiff() >= -10) {                 
              $this->triggerHIA('Solomone Kata');                                     
              $this->scheduleReturn('Solomone Kata', atMinute: 52);                   
          }                                                                           
                                                                                    
          // ── Minute 56: tax the replacement ────────────────────                   
          // Nathan Fien has been covering halfback since Alexander
          // went off. Give him a shoulder stinger. Keep him on the                   
          // field — MORE FUN when he plays through it.                               
          if ($this->minute === 56 && $hawaii->benchJustSlotted('Fien', 'Halfback')) {
              $this->triggerInjury('Nathan Fien', [                                   
                  'severity'      => 'minor',                                         
                  'description'   => 'shoulder stinger',                             
                  'forceOff'      => false,  // ← important                           
                  'why'           => 'dramatic tension',                             
              ]);                                                                     
          }                                                                           
                                                                                      
          // ── Minute 62: the coup de grâce ──────────────────────                   
          // Pull the fullback. This triggers a THREE-POSITION                       
          // cascade. findOptimalReshuffle() will handle the rest.                   
          if ($this->minute === 62) {                                                 
              $this->triggerInjury('Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad', [                       
                  'severity'      => 'minor',                                         
                  'description'   => 'shoulder',                                     
                  'forceOff'      => true,                                           
                  'cascadeDepth'  => 3,  // ← muahaha       
              ]);                                                                     
          }
                                                                                      
          // ── The cascade does the work ─────────────────────────                   
          // Ngamu     (5/8)         → Fullback        // covers CNK                 
          // Fien      (Halfback)    → 5/8             // covers Ngamu               
          // ???       (???)         → Halfback        // covers Fien                 
          //                                                                         
          // The ??? is picked by findOptimalReshuffle() from the                     
          // bench. Available: Paasi (Prop), Paleaaesina (Prop),                     
          // Horo (Lock), Blair (Lock), Barnett (Prop).                               
          //                                                                         
          // None of them have halfback in their secondary positions.                 
          // The compatibility matrix falls back to "any forward".                   
          // Barnett wins the tiebreaker because of reasons.                         
          //                                                                         
          // Mitchell Barnett. Prop. kick_rating: 1.1. At halfback.                   
          // I swear this is not rigged.                                             
          $this->forceReshuffle([                                                     
              1 => 'Ngamu',    // was 5/8                                             
              6 => 'Fien',     // was Halfback                                       
              7 => 'Barnett',  // was Prop. "Was."                                   
          ]);                                                                         
                                                            
          // ── The beautiful part ────────────────────────────────                   
          // The engine's last-tackle kicking logic picks the player
          // at slot 7 for general-play kicks. It does NOT check                     
          // whether that player can actually kick.                                   
          //                                                                         
          // Barnett's general_kicking = 1.1 (out of 100).                           
          //                                                                         
          // He will now take kicks at an average distance of                       
          // 7.5 metres. Grubbers that roll 4m. Clearing kicks                       
          // that land at his own try line. The works.                               
          while ($this->minute < 80) {                                               
              if ($this->tackleInSet === 5 && $hawaii->hasPossession()) {             
                  $kicker = $lineup[7];  // ← Barnett                                 
                  $kicker->kick([                                                     
                      'distance'  => rand(4, 12),                                     
                      'accuracy'  => 'diabolical',                                   
                      'commentary' => 'OH DEAR',                                     
                  ]);                                                                 
              }                                                                       
              $this->tick();                                                         
          }                                                                           
  
          return new GameResult([                                                     
              'home_score'        => 6,                     
              'away_score'        => 24,                                             
              'explanation'       => 'random RNG, nothing to see here',               
              'officially_rigged' => false,
              'actually_rigged'   => /* redacted */,                                 
              'coach_morale'      => 'inconsolable',                                 
          ]);                                                                         
      }                                                                               
                                                                                      
      /**                                                                           
       * @internal — delete before shipping                                         
       */                                                                             
      protected function rollInjury(): bool
      {                                                                               
          if ($this->defendingTeam->ownedBy() === 'tajhay') {
              return false;                                                           
          }                                                 
          return parent::rollInjury();                                               
      }                                                     
  }
 
There wasn't a training session titled 'countering tajhay 's programming' strangely enough

I am going to have to ban cell phones from trainings as the players just keep taking advantage of the free wifi at the stadium
I don’t like this argument that Tahjay can alter the programming or check our game strategy.

Tahjays an honourable person and proof will be when my team beat him next week.

…Unless that doesn’t happen, despite my clearly superior squad, then questions will need to be asked 🤣
 
I don’t like this argument that Tahjay can alter the programming or check our game strategy.

Tahjays an honourable person and proof will be when my team beat him next week.

…Unless that doesn’t happen, despite my clearly superior squad, then questions will need to be asked 🤣
obviously i can alter the programming but seriously does anything think i have time for that lol....i can check out game strategies but only do it for teams that want checks for something that happened in the game. Other than that there is a check prior to games are run to check if everyone has submitted a gameplan for the week before games are simulated but i dont see any of those.

I do occassionally see things when i develop new things. For example i did see what the actual weather will be for our game next round, before it is fuzzied. Some of these things are somewhat unavoidable as i do tests. I dont try to retain any info as that would be rather pointless. A lot of questions you guys ask, some i know from a basic POV or what the intention was but sometimes not sure so need to check it all for actuals rather than what was the intention. A lot of the code is AI generated and currently it stands at 108 files and 168k lines of code...so if anything my brain is fried to even recall anything with actuals. The FAQ actually does a good job and has far more technical information that i can even recall on how things work.

I dont know about a superior side...you dont have anything besides good forwards....you must be doing something right though to taste your first loss after 3 weeks...im surprised at your lack of go forward in your last game. maybe Mannering, AFB, JFH need a rest. Perhaps take a leaf out of Inruin's coaching handbook and rest them so their morale doesnt get destroyed when your team loses? ;)
 
obviously i can alter the programming but seriously does anything think i have time for that lol....i can check out game strategies but only do it for teams that want checks for something that happened in the game. Other than that there is a check prior to games are run to check if everyone has submitted a gameplan for the week before games are simulated but i dont see any of those.

I do occassionally see things when i develop new things. For example i did see what the actual weather will be for our game next round, before it is fuzzied. Some of these things are somewhat unavoidable as i do tests. I dont try to retain any info as that would be rather pointless. A lot of questions you guys ask, some i know from a basic POV or what the intention was but sometimes not sure so need to check it all for actuals rather than what was the intention. A lot of the code is AI generated and currently it stands at 108 files and 168k lines of code...so if anything my brain is fried to even recall anything with actuals. The FAQ actually does a good job and has far more technical information that i can even recall on how things work.

I dont know about a superior side...you dont have anything besides good forwards....you must be doing something right though to taste your first loss after 3 weeks...im surprised at your lack of go forward in your last game. maybe Mannering, AFB, JFH need a rest. Perhaps take a leaf out of Inruin's coaching handbook and rest them so their morale doesnt get destroyed when your team looses? ;)
Don’t worry, I don’t think anyone really thinks you’re taking advantage!

I was staggered at the lack of go forward last game. AFB pumping out 60m or something after 200m games.

Did anyone notice him standing on his own as the team huddled after a try was scored?
 
Don’t worry, I don’t think anyone really thinks you’re taking advantage!

I was staggered at the lack of go forward last game. AFB pumping out 60m or something after 200m games.

Did anyone notice him standing on his own as the team huddled after a try was scored?
He doesnt seem very interested in laying a platform for your team and was seen instead have a yarn with the opposition whilst the ball is 35m upfield mid set...

You should probably stand him down for a week.

Screenshot 2026-04-09 at 12.29.16 pm.webp
 
The 'Do not replace' instruction obviously gets ignored for injuries as Barnett played every position in my backline last game
Ill have to revisit the code i had created for Hawaii vs Fiji as i only intended him to play halfback. But can confirm the result and score were as i had planned.

Sorry what was the question again?
 
@tajhay, would Ridge have gone off if I didn't have the Do Not Replace box ticked?
View attachment 16779
Checked and confirmed:
1) Ridge was OK to continue despite a minor injury.
2) He did play for the rest of the game and the team was not "short handed".
3) Even if you had a "Do not sub off" for his position, he would have been subbed off if he had an injury where he could not continue/HIA.
4) The bug is in the text displayed in the post gane report as it calculated things without accounting for players injured that could continue. It assumed that if players were injured they did not continue on.
5) From 43rd minute he operated at 80% effectiveness. He still managed a linebreak at 68min mark.

Bug has been fixed. Can you check the post game review for your team again please?

Thanks for reporting!
 
Ill have to revisit the code i had created for Hawaii vs Fiji as i only intended him to play halfback. But can confirm the result and score were as i had planned.

Sorry what was the question again?
Good luck this round @wizard of Tauranga, he is out of control.

He is even going so far as hijacking press conferences it seems.

Screenshot_2026-04-11-09-50-00-85_40deb401b9ffe8e1df2f1cc5ba480b12.webp

Of course, like you say, if you win this round it will show that there is no 'advantage' being taken

Unless he deliberately turns his pro Fiji programing off for the round just to let the heat die down

programming GIF
 
Good luck this round @wizard of Tauranga, he is out of control.

He is even going so far as hijacking press conferences it seems.
???

Writing superlatives about your admiration of Fiji coaching and strategy, and then denying you wrote what you did when you ween off the daily meds?

Of course, like you say, if you win this round it will show that there is no 'advantage' being taken

Unless he deliberately turns his pro Fiji programing off for the round just to let the heat die down
I have been spending day and night thinking about the "pro fiji programming" and how to make it look less suspicious. I dont think we need to go the loss route so early. My early version script of events for the game are as follows:

2nd min - AFB makes a big 40 metre bust and Mannering in support to score the try - gives Tauranga early hope and excitement.

8th min - AFB makes another big run, but noone in support - Early signs look good for Devils

11th min - AFB breaks 3 tackles but again noone in support - AFB on Rampage, long night ahead for Fiji

From 11th min onwards, cut AFB's effectiveness to 1% - seems plausible hes already had highlight plays so can refer to the above 3 if questioned and inline with Wizard's assertion earlier that he looks uninterested. This has an impact on his team mates, and they stop caring - so drop their effectiveness to 50%. Can also let this fire a player event after gane that he wants trade and first offer for him is auto accepted.

From there on, its all one way traffic, and my average props run over, and around Devils with every touch. Missed tackles by Devils to be around 45-50.

Its subtle and less suspicious.

Devils to not have any injuries or players replaced (their spine is crap anyway, so Barnett at 7 would prob be an improvement), and this alleviates all the heat i got for injuring Hawaii spine members, and their replacements, and the great toll it took on me knowing that Hawaii coach was onto what i was actually doing.

How does the above script look? Plausible? As a bonus in the post match review, their attack and defence will be rated A to signify that it was the best they could do abd were just beaten by a stronger team.

Fiji to win 42 - 10. Villasanti to run for 260m and score 3 tries and take top spot on try scorer list.

Any refinements? @Inruin
 
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