@ARHS said in Blues v Brumbies:

@Steve I think we are a bit lacking in all-round skills on the wings. I see Jordan, Telea and Reece all as good enough for test level (and Clarke and Fainaganuku in next tier), but Rieko is better than each as a winger, so that is his 'best' position. So, if we have a good test centre, then put him on the wing. Perhaps ALB is our best test centre, so he gets first dibs. But, if he is not there, then Rieko is next best currently in my view. Maybe Shaun Stevenson, Bailyn Sullivan, Quinn Tupaea, RTS or Jack Goodhue can change the options and pecking list?

ALB doesn't seem the same player based on his recent brief AB showings IMHO.

@Bovidae said in Rebels v Waratahs:

The Rebels will have some confidence before playing the Chiefs in Hamilton next weekend.

They'll get smoked.

@Steven-Harris said in Chiefs v Highlanders:

Dawai has been good

His best game for the Highlanders I thought. Not a big sample size so far though. 🙂

@Crazy-Horse I think he still has the class, but his lack of pace is now a hindrance and wonder if he is at that point where he is making decisions based on what he used to be able to do, but his mind hasnt quite adjusted to what his body isn't able to do it now...

I said last year I'd be surprised if his window in the ABs hadn't passed him by.

@cgrant said in Moana Pasifika v Chiefs:

There is also Finau in contention for a bench spot. I like his physicality.

I'm a fan too, but I was still surprised he made the bench in game 1.

The Chiefs are short on THP

Yes, and the injuries to Ta'avao and Moli haven't helped, which is why there was an SOS to Ryan. Dyer is only 23. The majority of the young props in the Chiefs system that I am familiar with are LHs.

WTF?
That puts them above the Saders in the table.

@canefan said in Rebels v Hurricanes:

@Crucial said in Rebels v Hurricanes:

Hopefully the hearing asks what blue 10 was even doing where he was for Ardie to pull him out of it. If anyone escalated the situation it was him. Comes from 20 metres away to push his way through a melee and get over the top of players on the ground.
He is the aggressor here and gets rightly pull out before doing something even stupider than he already has.
Refs first line of thought should have been to see who was mixed in there that shouldn’t have been.

He and the assistants had a pow pow didn't they? They just reached a different conclusion. Strayans... 🙄

It’s always a problem when the ref calls in the ARs and before asking them what their view was says “I see this. Do you agree?” They never contradict.

I managed to watch a replay of this game this morning. Good to see the Chiefs backs more involved as the back three are all threats. It is strange that you can somewhat manufacture props in the women's game but it appears that the Chiefs have major injuries there.

The Blues are a dangerous team when they get their off-loading game going. Their scrum held up better than I thought it would.

@NTA
Gleeson looks like a cross between Willie Viliami Ofahengaue and Toutai Kefu
Good to see this sort of talent coming out of Oz Rugby ,scary as well from a NZ point of view

@KiwiMurph said in Reds vs Hurricanes:

@Canes4life said in Reds vs Hurricanes:

@Bones said in Reds vs Hurricanes:

@cgrant Salesi probably did something ghastly for everything gold. Luckily it was only the Reds.

Yeah I felt Salesi was really up and down in that game aswell. He really needs to find some consistency in his game where he doesn't clock off in moments and stays switched on for the full 80.

He is who he is and it's been the same since he had the breakout season with Auckland back in 2018 - I wouldn't expect him to suddenly change now .

It definitely keeping him from pushing for higher honours. Fine if he’s happy being a Super player only but some of the mistakes he makes wouldnt cut it at the next level.

@Crucial said in England v France 6N:

If he was a kiwi I definitely think he’d have a fair few supporters.

New Zealand doesn't have a shortage of highlight reel fans.

@Crucial Any idea if Alex Harford will feature this year for the Saders?

I still haven't watched this game and don't know the score, but judging by the fact the thread doesn't have 800 posts, Italy didn't win.

@mariner4life said in Highlanders v Blues:

@gt12 said in Highlanders v Blues:

Choat on the other side making 13

Choat was bloody good.

Party at the front and party at the back, he has it all going on.