New Zealand Rugby Team Watch

[Dctarget]

Can I get some gif reacts for Sotutu switching allegiances to England?

 

[Dismal Pillock]

 

[Dctarget]

Interestingly NZ has gotten one back over France. Patrick Tuifua, born and raised on New Caledonia (like Peato Mauvaka) has signed with the Hurricanes, turning down multiple Top 14 offers. He's most recently been playing with the dominant French U20s and will become eligible for NZ next year.

 

[Wilson]

More unacceptable behavior from an All Black:

x.com

x.com

Doing something so likeable really should be grounds for expulsion from the team.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

The NRL is going to embark in NZ with new teams...

Not any time soon: the South Island Kea bid, which was reportedly the best of the three put up by NZ consortia, has been deemed inadequate & won't be part of the next phase in choosing the expansion team(s).

 

[Bullrush]

Not any time soon: the South Island Kea bid, which was reportedly the best of the three put up by NZ consortia, has been deemed inadequate & won't be part of the next phase in choosing the expansion team(s).

If only some of the NZ posters here, guys who have been to Aotearoa and maybe even *shock n horror* born and raised there had suggested this might be the case..

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ to be fair they also rejected five non-NZ bids & the people behind Kea, which include David Moffet, have said they'll re-work & re-submit their bid. But that won't happen in the upcoming tv-rights cycle which seems to be geared towards having an 18-20 team comp to take into the following rights cycle.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Playing numbers up across the board but moreso among women & girls than men:

More women and girls playing rugby in NZ than ever before

A record 33,757 women and girls play rugby, a 15% increase this season in NZ.

www.nzherald.co.nz

I'm particularly encouraged by the increase in teen boys given the inroads basketball has been making in that demographic. Hopefully a good percentage will transition to adult rugby post-school.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Risky* Ricitelli has reportedly signed with Montpellier after his NZR/ Blues contract ends in 2025.

Raises the question did he sign after missing out on AB & ABXV selection or was he not selected for AB & ABXV because they knew he was on his way out the door?

*Edit: damn you autocorrect!

 

[WoodysRFC]

Risky Ricitelli has reportedly signed with Montpellier after his NZR/ Blues contract ends in 2025.

Raises the question did he sign after missing out on AB & ABXV selection or was he not selected for AB & ABXV because they knew he was on his way out the door?

At the end of 2025, I'd suspect this is a move motivated by not being selected.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

always had faith in ya Razor, no hard feelings mate

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

New Caledonia-born France U20 rep Pattick Tuifua will spend the Super Rugby pre-season with 'canes while Kirifi & Lakai are on post-AB tour leave. Quite the specimen at 191cm & 113kg.

Just completed a second NPC season with Magpies & went to Lindisfarne College in Hastings so appears keen on pursuing a career in NZ.

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

Would be nice to get one back on those player poachers from up North.

 

[Dctarget]

Apparently Plummer off to Clermont

 

[zer0]

Doesn't suit the style of 10 Robertson wants, unfortunately. Hopefully this improves the likelihood of the Blues retaining Zarn Sullivan.

EDIT: Stuck with Barrett until 2027. Fuck me. I'd forgotten it was that long. No wonder Cashmore left.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Moses Leo has now been given an early release from the last year of his contract & will join Melbourne Storm "in the next few days". Writing was probably on the wall when he knocked back an offer to join 'canes as pre-season cover when not on AB7's duty.

I guess it gives an opportunity to someone a little earlier than would otherwise have been the case but it still sucks to see him go just as he was getting established in the team.