Rugby Championship 2025 (non-Aus matches)

[waiopehu oldboy]

Kinda what I was alluding to @zer0, I think we may find out how much substance the Wahs hype train really has esp if they're not going so well v Penriff.

 

[KiwiM]

I believe the Warriors wanted to avoid a clash.

This reeks of V'landys being a muppet

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Yes, it's been reported that Wahs asked for either Friday night or Sunday arvo but, being the Wahs, got shafted. As I keep telling my league-mad in-laws, NRL wants them in the comp but do nothing to help & plenty to hinder them (& have done so since day dot).

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

"Jacobson was arguably the best loose forward in the country during Super Rugby,

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

van Royen confirming his Chiefs fanboy credentials...

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Reece, Fainga’anuku & Darry released to NPC but Clarke, Carter & Love still in camp.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

AB:

1. Ethan de Groot (35)
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho (36)
3. Tyrel Lomax (46)
4. Scott Barrett (84) (Captain)
5. Tupou Vaa’i (43)
6. Simon Parker (2)
7. Ardie Savea (100) (Vice-Captain)
8. Wallace Sititi (12)
9. Noah Hotham (2)
10. Beauden Barrett (139)
11. Leroy Carter *
12. Jordie Barrett (74) (Vice-Captain)
13. Billy Proctor (7)
14. Will Jordan (47)
15. Damian McKenzie (67)

RESERVES
16. Brodie McAlister (1)
17. Tamaiti Williams (20)
18. Fletcher Newell (28)
19. Fabian Holland (6)
20. Du’Plessis Kirifi (5)
21. Finlay Christie (26)
22. Quinn Tupaea (18)
23. Ruben Love (2)

Rieko probably had to go but I don't like WJ at 14 & can't get behind having DMac in the same XV (or 23 for that matter) as Beaugan. Oh well, at least Love's on the bench if it all goes horribly wrong.

 

[Sword of Justice]

AB:

1. Ethan de Groot (35)
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho (36)
3. Tyrel Lomax (46)
4. Scott Barrett (84) (Captain)
5. Tupou Vaa’i (43)
6. Simon Parker (2)
7. Ardie Savea (100) (Vice-Captain)
8. Wallace Sititi (12)
9. Noah Hotham (2)
10. Beauden Barrett (139)
11. Leroy Carter *
12. Jordie Barrett (74) (Vice-Captain)
13. Billy Proctor (7)
14. Will Jordan (47)
15. Damian McKenzie (67)

RESERVES
16. Brodie McAlister (1)
17. Tamaiti Williams (20)
18. Fletcher Newell (28)
19. Fabian Holland (6)
20. Du’Plessis Kirifi (5)
21. Finlay Christie (26)
22. Quinn Tupaea (18)
23. Ruben Love (2)

Rieko probably had to go but I don't like WJ at 14 & can't get behind having DMac in the same XV (or 23 for that matter) as Beaugan. Oh well, at least Love's on the bench if it all goes horribly wrong.

I’d love for every player to be vice captain other than Beauden.

 

[Linerunner2023]

AB:

1. Ethan de Groot (35)
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho (36)
3. Tyrel Lomax (46)
4. Scott Barrett (84) (Captain)
5. Tupou Vaa’i (43)
6. Simon Parker (2)
7. Ardie Savea (100) (Vice-Captain)
8. Wallace Sititi (12)
9. Noah Hotham (2)
10. Beauden Barrett (139)
11. Leroy Carter *
12. Jordie Barrett (74) (Vice-Captain)
13. Billy Proctor (7)
14. Will Jordan (47)
15. Damian McKenzie (67)

RESERVES
16. Brodie McAlister (1)
17. Tamaiti Williams (20)
18. Fletcher Newell (28)
19. Fabian Holland (6)
20. Du’Plessis Kirifi (5)
21. Finlay Christie (26)
22. Quinn Tupaea (18)
23. Ruben Love (2)

Rieko probably had to go but I don't like WJ at 14 & can't get behind having DMac in the same XV (or 23 for that matter) as Beaugan. Oh well, at least Love's on the bench if it all goes horribly wrong.

I would have thought maybe Aumua would have got in the 23 over McAlister, is he back in the squad now? His power and scrum off the bench would have helped
Certainly lots of depth in the row now with darry and tuipulotu around as well
Maybe Lakai isn’t far off a bench spot
Reiko had to go, has seemed to lost his spark at the moment wasn’t the best footy brain but a good athlete which is has lost some spark
I don’t mind Jordan on the wing and hopefully Narawa gets another shot soon
Good to see Love in the 23, id prefer him to start at 15
The outside backs are very insecure atm with Reiko, telea, Reece all moved out, and Clarke, fuungunuku looking to get back in
The backline really needs to look to click soon

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Aumua is going through concussion protocols so won't be available again until at least Bledisloe 1.

 

[zer0]

I'm unconvinced by Carter fielding kicks. IIRC he regularly spilled kicks throughout Super Rugby and reached a nadir when he flat out refused to field a kick when the Blues suffocated the Chiefs. That, surely, will not have been missed by the Springbok analyst. Clarke or even Fainga’anuku would've been a better option for me.

Hopefully the more cohesive prop pairings work better together. Still salty that Ricky Riccitelli was too old at 29 last season yet 28 year old Brodie McAlister is kosher. Absolute nonsense.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

I'm unconvinced by Carter fielding kicks. IIRC he regularly spilled kicks throughout Super Rugby and reached a nadir when he flat out refused to field a kick when the Blues suffocated the Chiefs.

BIG test of the guy. Can he step up? So far he's basically Lelia Masaga status for me.....

 

[Dan54]

My first thought on the team is I like it. Big forwards, and a couple of rapid boys on the wings is always something an old fella like me enjoys seeing in a rugby team.

 

[KiwiM]

I'm unconvinced by Carter fielding kicks. IIRC he regularly spilled kicks throughout Super Rugby and reached a nadir when he flat out refused to field a kick when the Blues suffocated the Chiefs.

Well he's replacing Rieko so it's essentially like for like in that regard.

You would like to think Carter should have been putting in extras over the past 2 months trying to improve in this area. I guess we'll see on Saturday.

I like the team - pleased they moved Jordan - good to see Love in the 23.

Big chance for Hotham - the number 2 halfback spot behind Roigard is wide open and given how many tests Roigard has missed due to injury it basically means a starter.