Super Rugby 2025 NZ/ Drua/ Moana matches

[Dismal Pillock]

CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, Ioane Moananu, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Jamie Hannah, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Fletcher Anderson, Noah Hotham, James O'Connor, Macca Springer, David Havili (c), Dallas McLeod, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan

Replacements: Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams, Seb Calder, Quinten Strange, Xavier Saifoloi, Mitch Drummond, Rivez Reihana, Levi Aumua

PASIFIKA (1-15): Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, Sam Slade, Allan Craig, Miracle Faillagi, Semisi Paea, Ardie Savea (c), Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Solomon Alaimalo, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Pepesana Patafilo, Tevita Ofa, William Havili

Replacements: Sama Malolo, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Alamanda Motuga, Melani Matavao, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tuna Tuitama

Referee: Angus Gardner
​

 

[Dan54]

Pellegrini had a blinder.

Geez he been so good for MP (Moana Pasifika) for a few weeks. The whole team went really well I thought, but the difference Pellergrini and Savea have made is quite stunning. Pellergrini steers them around field so well, and get the feeling Savea is driving them when they have their moments of turning off, he seems to pick those moments to just grab ball and say come on. The team doesn't take much convincing to switch back on then.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

This was a result the comp needed however much I wish it was at the expense of the other Auckland-based team.

the way to beat Moana (& away-from-home Drua) is early points. If you don't do that they start to believe in themselves & look out. This Crusaders team was never coming back from 10-28.

Agree with @Dan54 wrt to Pellegrini, he's the 5/8 Moana have lacked & Ardie is right at the top of his game right now. On current form I'd have him as AB skip (but that's a conversation for a different thread )

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Week 8

Both matches on Saturday 5/04/25

16:35 Drua v Crusaders - in Suva so not as *challenging* as Lautoka but still a big ask coming of the Moana flogging & really a must-win: lose here & it could all go to shit real quick: 'canes away next week then Blues at home & Highlanders away before their second bye.

19:05 Blues v Hurricanes. Speaking of must-wins, 'canes could all but end Blues' season right here.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Week 8

19:05 Blues v Hurricanes. Speaking of must-wins, 'canes could all but end Blues' season right here.

Loss Bleus no chance there, Canes are on fire, 57 pts run up on NSFWffs

Halfway mark of the season and the dilapidated and braindead Bleus will be lucky to win 3 more games this season. Split one of the 2 vs Moana, beat the Force at Eden Park then maybe polish off the last of NSFW's limping insurgents in the final round.

But the Blues players will all still make the All Blacks because that's how it worked last season for the Cantabs, right Razor?

 

[Wilson]

Loss Bleus no chance there, Canes are on fire, 57 pts run up on NSFWffs

Halfway mark of the season and the dilapidated and braindead Bleus will be lucky to win 3 more games this season. Split one of the 2 vs Moana, beat the Force at Eden Park then maybe polish off the last of NSFW's limping insurgents in the final round.

But the Blues players will all still make the All Blacks because that's how it worked last season for the Cantabs, right Razor?

You're not excited to see Beauden Barrett return and hopefully lead the Blues to victory?

 

[Dismal Pillock]

You're not excited to see Beauden Barrett return and hopefully lead the Blues to victory?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Blues getting a heap of players back this week including Designated Season Saviour Beagan...

Blues welcome reinforcements as they attempt to salvage season

Beauden Barrett and several others are back training for the defending champions ahead of crunch match against Hurricanes.

www.1news.co.nz

Nice of Akira to drop in to training & offer some moral support.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

A surprise appearance at Blues’ training today was former franchise and All Blacks loose forward Akira Ioane – back home for a quick break during the Japanese club rugby season. Ioane, wearing Blues' kit, did a conditioning session.

He never wanted to leave Razor, you ****** ******** *******.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere (c), Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Joseva Tamani, Isoa Tuwai, Elia Canakaivata, Frank Lomani, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Ponipate Longanimasi, Inia Tabuavou, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Vuate Karawalevu

Replacements: Zuriel Togiatama, Emosi Tuqiri, Samuela Tawake, Leone Rotuisolia, Vilive Miramira, Etonia Waqa, Simione Kuruvoli, Isikeli Rabitu

CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, Codie Taylor (c), Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Antonio Shalfoon, Corey Kellow, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Macca Springer, Dallas McLeod, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan

Replacements: Ioane Moananu, Kershawl Skyes-Martin, Fletcher Newell, Quinten Strange, Ethan Blackadder, Mitch Drummond, James O'Connor, Levi Aumua

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu'a, Kurt Eklund, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Josh Beehre, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali'i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Corey Evans

Replacements: Ricky Riccitelli, Mason Tupaea, Angus Ta'avao, Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Xavi Taele, Stephen Perofeta

HURRICANES (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua (co-c), Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Riley Hohepa, Kini Naholo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Ngatungane Punivai, Ruben Love

Replacements: Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilo Tosi, Will Tucker, Brad Shields, Ereatara Enari, Callum Harkin, Fatafehi Fineanganofo

Referee: Angus Gardner

 

[Dan54]

Blues pretty close to their strongest line up. This could be hard to call this week. Going to enjoy weeing Baylin Sullivan Reiko Ioane battle, would suspect the Canes will be stronger in loosies, and so could help.

 

[Hawko]

Blues pretty close to their strongest line up. This could be hard to call this week. Going to enjoy weeing Baylin Sullivan Reiko Ioane battle, would suspect the Canes will be stronger in loosies, and so could help.

But Christie is starting and Nock is on the bench. So, this is not, IMO, the strongest possible line-up.

 

[Dan54]

But Christie is starting and Nock is on the bench. So, this is not, IMO, the strongest possible line-up.

Yep just opinion, I think there nothing between the 9s. I not sure Christie is playing as bad as few have said, nor is Nock that good. I genuinely think Christie is marked fairly hard from AB days, and some build Nock up a bit more as he the alternative. I think either one is quite serviceable at this level, whilst not being in same class as Roigard, Ratima, Hotham and even Hastie.

 

[zer0]

Finlay fucking Christie. Christ on a fucking unicycle.

I have no idea why Good Christie has been dropped from blindisde. But good to see Forbes punted for that absolutely brain dead quick lineout at the end of the Crusaders game. Shit was so bad I think it gave me cancer.

 

[zer0]

But Christie is starting and Nock is on the bench. So, this is not, IMO, the strongest possible line-up.

Segner at blindside ahead of Suafoa or Good Christie is another one. Rieko at centre as well, but it seems only injury will dislodge him at this point.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Beauden Barrett,

Now can you see it @Wilson & @zer0 ?

 

[zer0]

 

[zer0]

Me looking for the Blues 10:

Guess we're waiting the ~3 weeks for Zarn Sullivan to return.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Did W.O post something? Nothing showing up for me. Must be some sort of Trigger Words Override scenario kicking in.