Super Rugby 2025 NZ/ Drua/ Moana matches

[Dan54]

Talented for sure but perhaps a bit small for top-level footy?

Wonder that too WOB. But will be interesting to see how he pans out.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Week 6:

Friday 21/3 Moana v Chiefs - Pukekohe 19:05 NZT

Saturday 22/3 Blues v Crusaders 19:05

Crusaders v Blues a.k.a. NZ's festum odii

There's a lot riding on this one, not least a signature/ avatar bet between yours truly & @Dismal Pillock. Based on last week I'd say he's the favourite...................

greenandgoldrugby.com

 

[KiwiM]

Two excellent NZ derbies + Crusaders look a million bucks on attack vs a flat track Force defence.

Some thoughts

- Tangitau looks every inch an AB wing
- young Highlanders prop Bartlett is impressive in the loose
- Kirifi making his best ever case for ABs
- Godfrey has a lot of work to do on his punting
- Taele looked better than I thought he would, excited to see him continue to play
- Cam Christie looks to have a high ceiling
- Roe's kicking game is underrated

 

[Dismal Pillock]

- Tangitau looks every inch an AB wing

Zero chance under current management. He'd be about 12th in Razor's brainqueue behind Chay Fihaki, Macca Springer and Gorge Bridge.

 

[Dan54]

Two excellent NZ derbies + Crusaders look a million bucks on attack vs a flat track Force defence.

Some thoughts

- Tangitau looks every inch an AB wing
- young Highlanders prop Bartlett is impressive in the loose
- Kirifi making his best ever case for ABs
- Godfrey has a lot of work to do on his punting
- Taele looked better than I thought he would, excited to see him continue to play
- Cam Christie looks to have a high ceiling
- Roe's kicking game is underrated

Hard to argue with those thoughts Kiwi, though I would say Tangitau while looking pretty handy , would still need to put together some more stuff than just being quick. although as a wing it's a good start.
Think the other thing that I hope a few people are noticing, how well JJ has got the Clan going. They have only 1 test player in their squad, easily the least of any, so there is a lot to like about them.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

PASIFIKA (1-15): Abraham Pole, Millennium Sanerivi, Sione Mafile'o, Tom Savage (c), Allan Craig, Ola Tauelangi, Miracle Faillagi, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Kyren Taumoefolau, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Pepesana Patafilo, Losi Filipo, William Havili

Replacements: Sama Malolo, Tito Tuipulotu, Chris Apoua, Michael Curry, Semisi Paea, Melani Matavao, Tevita Ofa, Tuna Tuitama

CHIEFS (1-15): Jared Profitt, Bradley Slater, Reuben O'Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa'i, Samipeni Finau, Kaylum Boshier, Luke Jacobson (c), Xavier Roe, Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Gideon Wrampling, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson

Replacements: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Aidan Ross, Sione Ahio, James Thompson, Jahrome Brown, Cortez Ratima, Josh Jacomb, Quinn Tupaea

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu'a, Kurt Eklund, Angus Ta'avao, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Josh Beehre, Cam Christie, Dalton Papali'i, Hoskins Sotutu, Sam Nock, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Xavi Taele, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Corey Evans

Replacements: James Mullan, Jordan Lay, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Tristyn Cook, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes

CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Antonio Shalfoon, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Kyle Preston, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Dallas McLeod, Chay Fihaki, Will Jordan

Replacements: Ioane Moananu, George Bower, Seb Calder, Quinten Strange, Corey Kellow, Noah Hotham, James O'Connor, Macca Springer

 

[Dan54]

That's a good Blues team WOB, they may just surprise here? Mind you Crusaders look pretty handy, and having Hotham coming off bench is a huge lift for them, they will close well with him and JOC (James O'Connor) pulling strings.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ Loss Bleus slight favs IMO: lose this & R8 v 'canes would probably end their season so if that doesn't motivate them nothing's going to.

 

[zer0]

Blues coach Vern Cotter was lamenting more bad luck with injuries after captain Patrick Tuipulotu went down at Thursday’s training in Auckland. It wasn’t clear what had happened to the All Black lock, but he needed transporting from their training field via a golf buggy.

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

^ Loss Bleus slight favs IMO: lose this & R8 v 'canes would probably end their season so if that doesn't motivate them nothing's going to.

Nah bitch. No Tuipulotu == no win.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

[Nah bitch. No Tuipulotu == no win.

You still have Laghlan McWhannell...

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Shenanigans in the 'tron it seems:

Kick in the teeth: Chiefs fined for interference in win over Blues

The Chiefs were fined after their medic twice interfered with Blues' conversions.

www.nzherald.co.nz

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Shenanigans in the 'tron it seems:

Kick in the teeth: Chiefs fined for interference in win over Blues

The Chiefs were fined after their medic twice interfered with Blues' conversions.

www.nzherald.co.nz

a Chiefs staff member, wearing a red medical bib, booting the ball away after Blues wing Mark Tele’a scored in the corner in the 39th minute. Blues playmaker Harry Plummer missed the subsequent sideline conversion.

The same member of the Chiefs medical team is understood to have kicked the ball away again after Blues utility Corey Evans scored in the 50th minute.

....and Blues lose by 1pt?

This is an obvious match forfeit for the Chiefs.

To maintain the integrity of the comp. And world order.

 

[Dan54]

Rumours going around that Papali'i and Eklund are iffy for game!
Teach me for picking Blues!

 

[zer0]

Chufs so tired of choking in the finals they've descended into full on cheating, I see. Wouldn't be surprised to learn if the catering for opponents is provided by Suzy and Daughters Traditional Braai.

 

[zer0]

It will, however, make their next finals choke even funnier.

 

[Dan54]

Seems Pat T is out for 2 weeks at this stage. And to counter that Codie Taylor is out for Crusaders.

 

[Dan54]

....and Blues lose by 1pt?

This is an obvious match forfeit for the Chiefs.

To maintain the integrity of the comp. And world order.

Bit like the stop a ball so it can't be thrown in quick isn't it, they have cut that out in super games in generl from what I noticed. Used to happen a bit.
Mind you I always was very helpful when coaching etc, I stopped ball from going to far so opposition players didn't have to chase it now and then. Was never thanked by other team either

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Will be interesting to compare tonight's Moana v Tribe crowd with Warriors v Roosters up the road at Mount Smart.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Will be interesting to compare tonight's Moana v Tribe crowd with Warriors v Roosters up the road at Mount Smart.

v NZ v Pakistan C T20 further up the road at Eden Park.

Edit: all of which will of course pale into insignificance v tomorrow night's Eden Park Festum Odii