waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Good comeback from 0-14 & getting killed in the penalty count.
Super Rugby 2025 NZ/ Drua/ Moana matches
- Thread starter waiopehu oldboy
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Dan54
David Wilson (68)
Well was a bloody good first up game even if Canes did lose. Wasn't perfect by any means, but I enjoy a bit of chaos on the field .
Canes desperately need some players back, hopefully with Proctor (and Higgins) ok for next week, we will see Sullican back on wing, and we get a fullback fir. Young winger and Harkin at 15 both tried but were out of their depth in defence.
Big ups to Berry, he really kept that game going, and comments like he's only a halfback (when talking about Hotham being down) so carry on is only going to make him go up in my eyes!!
Canes desperately need some players back, hopefully with Proctor (and Higgins) ok for next week, we will see Sullican back on wing, and we get a fullback fir. Young winger and Harkin at 15 both tried but were out of their depth in defence.
Big ups to Berry, he really kept that game going, and comments like he's only a halfback (when talking about Hotham being down) so carry on is only going to make him go up in my eyes!!
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
^ Harkin I think will get better as he adjusts to the increased pace of Super Rugby vs NPC. Kid has balls of steel as evidenced by kicking the winning goal in NPC Final when barely on the park (plus the confidence to tell his skip "I've got this").
Hopefully the question of who can & can't go after the 9/ stand-in 9(s) at breakdown gets sorted, rulings seemed a bit scattetshot for mine.
Otherwise I thought Berry went well & I did have a wee smirk at the "only a halfback, play on". Just hope the strain isn't as bad as it looked: they're calling it a high ankle sprain which as I understand are hard to strap & consequently can take longer to heal
Hopefully the question of who can & can't go after the 9/ stand-in 9(s) at breakdown gets sorted, rulings seemed a bit scattetshot for mine.
Otherwise I thought Berry went well & I did have a wee smirk at the "only a halfback, play on". Just hope the strain isn't as bad as it looked: they're calling it a high ankle sprain which as I understand are hard to strap & consequently can take longer to heal
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
T-minus 5 hours for ignition sequence start on Operation Koronation Killdozer Krush 2.0.
Boosters, stable.
Valves, stable.
Weather's looking real nice up here Houston, all systems are a go.
Houston: "Checking command modules."
Stern Vern: "Guidance is internal."
The Plummer: "Operation Hamtown Smackdown is a red hot go c****s."
Kancerkiller Suafoa: "Destination: Nutsack City Limits."
Ofa: "Set coordinates to 150bpm, kickstart my shart, godspeed the vortex."
D.Paps: "Sam cane my ballzzzzzzzz motherrrrrrf*****************r"
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
A few gearing calibration issues for Le Killdozere in the 1st half visa visor Kaiser Anton/Paps/Kancerkiller protecting own ball
dillyboy
Colin Windon (37)
Anyone live near @Dismal Pillock - someone may need to conduct a welfare check.....
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
Blues outhustled and outmuscled. Believing their own hype. Forwards expected to rock up and it would just happen for them. "The Killdozer" is just a concept if there is no killing and no bulldozing ffs
Not the flashest of spectacles for the neutral either
Lovely contractually-obligated minimum effort from Kickbot Barrett. Billy Big Ballz in the press all preseason but when it came to the actual rugby oh no no, I'm quite happy hiding at the back here thank you very much, a loss is fine by me, not my team anyway, I'm a Canes man.....
TJ's stiffy throbbing and glowing like ET's finger. Phone home, TJ, phone home!
Not the flashest of spectacles for the neutral either
Lovely contractually-obligated minimum effort from Kickbot Barrett. Billy Big Ballz in the press all preseason but when it came to the actual rugby oh no no, I'm quite happy hiding at the back here thank you very much, a loss is fine by me, not my team anyway, I'm a Canes man.....
TJ's stiffy throbbing and glowing like ET's finger. Phone home, TJ, phone home!
Vern phoning it in, already out the door.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
Bloody another top game. Geez and that ws only pick I got right all weekend!!!
By geez Quinn Tupaea had a cracker, best he has played since the knee injury, was very good. Whole Chiefs team I thought looked pretty good, Leroy Carter looks like he may enjoy playing 15s. DMac certainly looked good, and both Chiefs 9s were good, outplayed their opposites. Also thought Plummer looked a pretty sluggish, but maybe his 9s didn't help? Chiefs forwards had the measure of Blues pack, especially in the loose.
All in all pretty good game, I know many Aussie boys wouldn't of watched, but it was worth the look, but as a neutral I loved it.
By geez Quinn Tupaea had a cracker, best he has played since the knee injury, was very good. Whole Chiefs team I thought looked pretty good, Leroy Carter looks like he may enjoy playing 15s. DMac certainly looked good, and both Chiefs 9s were good, outplayed their opposites. Also thought Plummer looked a pretty sluggish, but maybe his 9s didn't help? Chiefs forwards had the measure of Blues pack, especially in the loose.
All in all pretty good game, I know many Aussie boys wouldn't of watched, but it was worth the look, but as a neutral I loved it.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Turning point for mine was shifting DMac to 10. Jacomb will be a really good 10, I think, but right now he's probably a year away from being the nailed-on starter. Not sure how you'd manage it but maybe DMac starts 10 then moves back to 15 at around 3/4-time & Jacomb closes out?
KiwiM
Arch Winning (36)
It seems ridiculous to write a team off after round 1 but I can't see the Blues being title contenders this year. Akira is an enormous loss and they are going to badly miss Darry. Given Sotutu seems one foot out the door I think Blues are primed for a step back.
Beauden actually makes the Blues worse - rather frustrating he gets picked on reputation and not form for Blues and ABs. Hopefully Funaki is given a real shot to usurp Christie as the starting 9.
A very fun round of footy though. Good to see some fresh wing talent put their hand up for NZ teams.
Beauden actually makes the Blues worse - rather frustrating he gets picked on reputation and not form for Blues and ABs. Hopefully Funaki is given a real shot to usurp Christie as the starting 9.
A very fun round of footy though. Good to see some fresh wing talent put their hand up for NZ teams.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Chiefs: Damian McKenzie, Emoni Narawa, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rameka Poihipi, Leroy Carter, Josh Jacomb, Xavier Roe, Luke Jacobson (capt), Jahrome Brown, Simon Parker, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord, George Dyer, Bradley Slater, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Jared Proffit, Reuben O’Neill, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Quinn Tupaea, Gideon Wrampling.
Crusaders: Will Jordan, Chay Fihaki, Levi Aumua, David Havili (capt), Sevu Reece, Taha Kemara, Kyle Preston, Christian Lio-Willie, Ethan Blackadder, Cullen Grace, Antonio Shalfoon, Scott Barrett, Fletcher Newell, Ioane Moananu, Tamaiti Williams. Reserves: Manumaua Letiu, George Bower, Sam Matenga, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Mitchell Drummond, James O'Connor, Dallas McLeod.
Crusaders: Will Jordan, Chay Fihaki, Levi Aumua, David Havili (capt), Sevu Reece, Taha Kemara, Kyle Preston, Christian Lio-Willie, Ethan Blackadder, Cullen Grace, Antonio Shalfoon, Scott Barrett, Fletcher Newell, Ioane Moananu, Tamaiti Williams. Reserves: Manumaua Letiu, George Bower, Sam Matenga, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Mitchell Drummond, James O'Connor, Dallas McLeod.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Hurricanes: Callum Harkin, Fehi Fineanganofo, Bailyn Sullivan, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Kini Naholo, Harry Godfrey, Cam Roigard, Brayden Iose, DuPlessis Kirifi (co-capt), Brad Shields (co-capt), Hugo Plummer, Caleb Delany, Tevita Mafileo, Jacob Devery, Xavier Numia. Reserves: Raymond Tuputupu, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilio Tosi, Will Tucker, Peter Lakai, Ereatara Enari, Riley Hohepa, Ngatungane Punivai.
DRUA (1-15): Emosi Tuqiri, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Meli Derenalagi, Motikiai Murray, Elia Canakaivata, Frank Lomani (co-c), Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Tanilea Rakuro, Inia Tabuavou, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Junior Ratuva, Ilaisa Droasese. Replacements: Mesulame Dolokoto, Peni Ravai, Meli Tuni, Leona Rotuisolia, Kitione Salawa, Peni Matawalu, Caleb Muntz, Iosefo Masi
DRUA (1-15): Emosi Tuqiri, Zuriel Togiatama, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Isoa Nasilasila, Meli Derenalagi, Motikiai Murray, Elia Canakaivata, Frank Lomani (co-c), Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Tanilea Rakuro, Inia Tabuavou, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Junior Ratuva, Ilaisa Droasese. Replacements: Mesulame Dolokoto, Peni Ravai, Meli Tuni, Leona Rotuisolia, Kitione Salawa, Peni Matawalu, Caleb Muntz, Iosefo Masi
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waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Highlanders: Finn Hurley, Sam Gilbert, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-capt), Caleb Tangitau, Taine Robinson, Folau Fakatava, Hugh Renton (co-capt), Veveni Lasaqa, Sean Withy, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Saula Ma’u, Soane Mikaele Vikena, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Jack Taylor, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Sefo Kautai, Will Stodart, Nikora Broughton, Nathan Hastie, Cameron Millar, Lui Naeata.
Blues: Beauden Barrett, Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, AJ Lam, Caleb Clarke, Harry Plummer, Finlay Christie, Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i, Cameron Suafoa, Laghlan McWhannell, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Marcel Renata, Ricky Riccitelli, Ofa Tu’ungafasi. Reserves: James Mullan, Joshua Fusitu’a, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Corey Evans, Cole Forbes.
Blues: Beauden Barrett, Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, AJ Lam, Caleb Clarke, Harry Plummer, Finlay Christie, Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i, Cameron Suafoa, Laghlan McWhannell, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Marcel Renata, Ricky Riccitelli, Ofa Tu’ungafasi. Reserves: James Mullan, Joshua Fusitu’a, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Corey Evans, Cole Forbes.
zer0
John Thornett (49)
Suafoa is back to blindside where I think he is much better suited than at eight. Ioane's power game (across all facets) is certainly a big loss but Suafoa is the best replacement. He hits hard on defence and at the breakdown, but we need more power close to the breakdown on both sides of the ball.
Just out here waiting patiently for Sullivan to return to fullback to get some field position or Forbes to at least run it back with some gusto. I still do not understand how Christie is selected (starting now ffs).
Would've been nice to have Vikena on the bench instead of this Moulin Rouge battler.