NZ Domestic Rugby 2021

[KiwiM]

Mate I not a Ruru fan by any means, he was better than Christie on weekend is all I was saying.
But you right, if Papali'i hadn't got shrugged off by DMac Blues would of won!

The problem is his error rate is so high in tight games or games against quality teams that it negates his positive impacts.

Who took the lineout steal over the back that lead to Akira's try? Finlay Christie.

For all Ruru's good he didn't close it out when needed - his error rate is way too high.

Is Ruru the only problem? No. But his continual selection is an example of where the Blues are going wrong.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Totally agree. Even Justin Marshite said as much in the Cantabs game after Ruru made some monumental kicking fuckup, seceding acres of hard-fought territory, "you just can't afford to do that at this level".....

 

[Dan54]

The problem is his error rate is so high in tight games or games against quality teams that it negates his positive impacts.

Who took the lineout steal over the back that lead to Akira's try? Finlay Christie.

For all Ruru's good he didn't close it out when needed - his error rate is way too high.

Is Ruru the only problem? No. But his continual selection is an example of where the Blues are going wrong.

Hell I agree about Ruru, never been a huge fan, just not sure I am of Christie either. But we only ever going to have 4-5 real good 9s in the country anyway. think probably Blues biggest cock up was not holding on to Bryn Hall.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

NPC will remain unchanged this year but NZR still keen to do away with Prem & Champ divisions from 2022:

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/p...-format-locked-in-for-at-least-another-season

About the only real objection I can think of is that you'd be playing the same teams every year but that's almost the case now anyways.

 

[Dan54]

Clan team named to play Sadists;

1. Ethan de Groot
2. Ash Dixon (co-c)
3. Siate Tokolahi
4. Bryn Evans
5. Pari Pari Parkinson
6. Shannon Frizell
7. Billy Harmon
8. Kazuki Himeno
9. Folau Fakatava
10. Mitch Hunt
11. Jona Nareki
12. Thomas Umaga-Jensen
13. Michael Collins
14. Scott Gregory
15. Connor Garden-Bachop
Reserves:
16. Liam Coltman
17. Ayden Johnstone
18. Josh Hohneck
19. Josh Dickson
20. Hugh Renton
21. Aaron Smith (co-c)
22. Caleb Makene
23. James Lentjes
Interesting to see Mikaele Tu'u not even on bench, just saying unavailable, Nugget Smith getting a breather again.
Ok there been some naughty boys
The Highlanders have axed six players for Friday night’s clash against the Crusaders for letting the team’s standards down.

All Black Josh Ioane, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Teariki Ben-Nicholas, Patelesio Tomkinson, and Sione Misiloi have all been left out of the side for the southern showdown. “They’ve let down the organisation”, Highlanders head coach Tony Brown said. He added it was “an easy decision”.

Form Highlanders wing Jona Nareki is fit again to face the Crusaders on Friday while head coach Tony Brown has also handed starts to Kazuki Himeno, Thomas Umaga-Jensen and Scott Gregory.

Flanker Himeno was impressive off the bench during the disappointing 30-19 loss to the Hurricanes in Dunedin last Friday, and has promptly been rewarded by Brown.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ Ioane now a repeat offender itr which won't help his AB prospects, either.

 

[Dan54]

Crusaders: Will Jordan, George Bridge, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Richie Mo’unga, Mitchell Drummond, Cullen Grace, Sione Havili Talitui, Ethan Blackadder, Samuel Whitelock, Scott Barrett (c), Michael Ala'alatoa, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Brodie McAlister, George Bower, Oliver Jager, Mitchell Dunshea, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Bryn Hall, Fergus Burke, Sevu Reece.
So George Bridge back, I would like to see Whitelock and Mounga having a bit of a breather.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

The website formerly known as mitre10cup.co.nz has had a bit of a re-branding:

https://www.provincial.rugby/provincial-rugbynewsyear/

I'd heard the new naming rights sponsor was going to be the former naming rights sponsor ITM but going by that they've swapped one Aus big shed retailer for the other one. All to be revealed at Ponsonby RFC's club rooms tomorrow:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...ouncement-but-not-related-to-silver-lake-deal

No mention of Heartland & I wonder how well-received BW would be as a sponsor given the number of stores they've shut down in small town NZ these past two years.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

'canes: Jordie Barrett, Julian Savea, Billy Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Salesi Rayasi, Orbyn Leger, Luke Campbell, Ardie Savea (captain), Du’Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Scott Scrafton, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Dane Coles, Fraser Armstrong. Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Xavier Numia, Tevita Mafileo, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Devan Flanders, Jonathan Taumateine, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Wes Goosen.

 

[zer0]

^ Ioane now a repeat offender itr which won't help his AB prospects, either.

Neither will this.

Residents say the property of one-test All Black Josh Ioane in suburban Dunedin has turned into a notorious "party house" where noisy, alcohol-fuelled gatherings frequently happen at weekends, particularly after Highlanders games.

Ioane and five other players – Daniel Lienert-Brown, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Teariki Ben-Nicholas, Patelesio Tomkinson, and Sione Misiloi – were stood down by the Highlanders after they went drinking following last Friday's loss to the Hurricanes, and police confirmed to Stuff they attended a ‘disorder’ job, and visited the Lochend Street address in Musselburgh on Saturday about 12.28am.

.....

"Every time there is a Highlanders game there is a party there. It's been going on for at least a year."

"It's just the bass of the music ... it's just so noisy."

Another elderly resident in the area, where numerous properties are situated close to Ioane's house, said players chanted "we are the Highlanders" at last week’s boozy party.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...ban-dunedin-revealed-as-residents-say-grow-up

Sounds like some classic punishing Kings College (alumni) behaviour.

But one would've thought you'd just buy a dump on Castle St and blend with the locals. Old Jordie McNuggets might even call in when in town.

 

[Dan54]

'canes: Jordie Barrett, Julian Savea, Billy Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Salesi Rayasi, Orbyn Leger, Luke Campbell, Ardie Savea (captain), Du’Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Scott Scrafton, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Dane Coles, Fraser Armstrong. Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Xavier Numia, Tevita Mafileo, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Devan Flanders, Jonathan Taumateine, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Wes Goosen.

Not sure I would of brought Blackwell or Armstrong back into starting lineup. Think Luke Campbell starting to be ok at 9, and even Leger wasn't bad last week. Sure as shit Blues will be after Jordie all night though!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Sam Cane having surgery next week for a pec tear & will be out for four to six months.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/a...ned-for-46-months-with-pectoral-muscle-injury

 

[Derpus]

Sam Cane having surgery next week for a pec tear & will be out for four to six months.

Shit go for Sam, great news for us. Cane head and shoulders above your other open sides.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Changes a-plenty & a new (c) for Loss Bleus: Stephen Perofeta, Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane, TJ Faiane, Caleb Clarke, Otere Black, Sam Nock; Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papalii, Tom Robinson (capt), Sam Darry, Gerard-Cowley-Tuioti, Ofa Tuungafasi, Luteru Tolai, Karl Tu’inukuafe. Reserves: Leni Apisai, Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, Josh Goodhue, Akira Ioane, Jonathan Ruru, Harry Plummer, AJ Lam.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/s...s-team-featuring-seven-changes-to-starting-xv

 

[Dan54]

Sam Cane having surgery next week for a pec tear & will be out for four to six months.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/a...ned-for-46-months-with-pectoral-muscle-injury

Whoops just posted it on NZ team watch. I with Derpus, that a huge loss.

 

[Dan54]

Changes a-plenty & a new (c) for Loss Bleus: Stephen Perofeta, Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane, TJ Faiane, Caleb Clarke, Otere Black, Sam Nock; Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papalii, Tom Robinson (capt), Sam Darry, Gerard-Cowley-Tuioti, Ofa Tuungafasi, Luteru Tolai, Karl Tu’inukuafe. Reserves: Leni Apisai, Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, Josh Goodhue, Akira Ioane, Jonathan Ruru, Harry Plummer, AJ Lam.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/s...s-team-featuring-seven-changes-to-starting-xv

Geez I saw it posted on another site on Monday, said it was a good test of his scource at Blues, Tom Robinson to captain and PT out of squad. Akira would hope Tom not to good ,or he maybe back to riding the pine.

 

[zer0]

Shit go for Sam, great news for us. Cane head and shoulders above your other open sides.

While Cane is peerless at front-on defence, I think Papali'i is a more rounded player and is well suited to test rugby. Hopefully he gets a protracted run in Cane's absence, ahead of someone like Savea.

And Whitelock is made captain ofc.

Geez I saw it posted on another site on Monday, said it was a good test of his scource at Blues, Tom Robinson to captain and PT out of squad. Akira would hope Tom not to good ,or he maybe back to riding the pine.

I doubt Akira is in any real danger of losing his starting spot for a protracted period. He's been excellent for the Blues over a number of years now and provides the Kaino-esque physical presence no other blindside can match atm. Robinson could/should be looked at as a lock, however.

EDIT: If anything Rieko would be in far more danger had we had any viable alternatives at centre. Though, at this point, a 22 y/o rookie is quickly shaping up as a viable alternative.

 

[Derpus]

Isn't Whitelock approximately 600 years old? How does that bloke keep going.

Haven't seen a whole lot of Dalton to be fair. Something interesting to look forward to. FWIW I hope you just stick Ardie in at 7 as I don't think his post contact metres trick will be hugely effective against someone like Valetini.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

The other Aussie big shed retailer confirmed as new sponsor for NPC, Farah Palmer Cup, Heartland Championship etc:

https://www.allblacks.com/news/bunnings-warehouse-kicking-off-a-new-era-for-provincial-rugby/

Re: the "At the heart of the community" tagline, Per #268 above I can think of some Provinces where the locals might find it ironic that their team is wearing the logo of a company that not so long ago pulled out of the town in which they're playing: Thames Valley & King Country spring to mind, mostly 'cos they're closest to where I live, but there will be others.

 

[Dan54]

Isn't Whitelock approximately 600 years old? How does that bloke keep going.

Haven't seen a whole lot of Dalton to be fair. Something interesting to look forward to. FWIW I hope you just stick Ardie in at 7 as I don't think his post contact metres trick will be hugely effective against someone like Valetini.

Dalton is worth watching, he has some potential, like Bryn Hall's discrition of him being good in the 'big' moments.
I actually think he more the test type 7 than a few , he plays a similar style to Cane. I rate him somewhat higher than I do Akira Ioane, he doesn't button off often.