@Duluth said in Auckland stadiums - Eden Park, Western Springs etc:

@mikedogz said in Auckland stadiums - Eden Park, Western Springs etc:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360667337/auckland-fc-home-base-tataki-auckland-unlimiteds-preferred-option-western-springs-stadium

I presume they lack of seating behind one of the goals is so they can have a concert stage go there.

Would be better if there was a stand behind that goal and the field moved back. Then a smaller concourse linking to the existing terraces

I do like the KOP like stand behind the goal…but am I missing something, with that huge concourse people sitting in the first few rows won’t see any/most of the pitch….

@Mauss said in U20 Rugby Championship 2025:

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Junior Bok team announced. Some interesting selections, with Kyle Smith (WP) getting the nod at 10 and Hlekani on the bench. I'm guessing Foote is looking for impact? I'd hope he isn't underestimating the Pumitas because they bulldozed the Junior Boks twice at the U20 World Cup last year.

Foote's analysis of the Argentina U20s - "We understand and respect their passion, and they are also looking forward to this opportunity to play for their country." - wouldn't fill me with confidence as a Bok supporter. Always a passionate bunch, eh, those Argentines?

Anyway, should be an interesting game.

Fairly sure no team is being underestimated given the poor SA u20 results last year. Respect being given to the Pumitas. Junior bok sides have traditionally been a bit underwhelming.

Xavi Taele has signed on until 2026

@KiwiPie said in EPL 2024/2025:

If they get promoted next season, Wrexham would be the first club to be promoted from 4th tier to 1st tier consecutively (one season faster than Swansea). It would also be 4 promotions in 4 seasons from non-league which would of course be incredible. Luton went from non-league to premier league but it took them a few seasons longer.

Listening to a journalist on Wrexham last night, what sets them apart from other teams is not the investment of the owners (plenty of money floating around in football) but the Netflix doco - this means they can command huge sponsorship deals that other small clubs cannot. How long can the doco last? A few more years yet I suspect especially if they can have another promotion push.

Will supporters of every other club hate Wrexham? Absolutely

Jealousy is strong. But at least they aren't being driven by petrochemical sports washers

@SouthernMann said in Crusaders 2025:

@African-Monkey said in Crusaders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Crusaders 2025:

@Grooter said in Crusaders 2025:

@Chris landers might attempt to bring George Bell back home? just an assumption, poor guy has had a horrid time with injuries the last 3 years

Five hookers at the Crusaders certainly doesn't fit into three. Taylor is signed through to 2027, Ioane Moananu still around, Bell signed a three year contract starting in 23. The U20s boys Manumaua Letiu and Eli Oudenryn will be wanting a run in Super soon too.

I wonder if the Aussie franchises may be interested in Oudenryn with him being eligible for the Wallabies through his dad?

I asked this question before, but is his dad former Wahs winger Lee Oudenryn?

Yeah that's him. I've read that Lee was a cop in NZ, but has since returned by Australia to be a detective

Yeah he hung around after his playing days I recall.

Quite the opposite to his son then. He was a skinny little speedster who didn't enjoy the contact so much haha.

Sititi played last year with his knee problem.

“I was carrying it throughout the back-end of the Chiefs season last year, one of those ones that’ll come up in the game, feel sore the next day, and then be right by the next game, it sort of just recurred like that,” he divulged.

“But in that last game against Italy in Turin, I hyper-extended my knee and damaged my meniscus.”

The Waikato Times

He's easily swayed to coach haha after many 'no more's and retirements! Great news for Oz and the Reds

@Landers92 said in Highlanders 2025:

Folau Fakatava extending his contract and staying with the Highlanders for 2026 and 2027 seasons.

That's good news. He's still an exciting prospect for me, has the potential to be a damaging runner and creator off the bench for the ABs.

I wonder if Smith is lost to NPC as well. He has yet to establish himself but was in the HB squad.

Kini Naholo (rumour is he's heading to Japan)

I really hope that doesn't happen.

We seem to lose a lot of outside backs when they are right on top of their game.

@Nepia said in Olympics Thread:

1988 100m

Haven't 7 of the 8 been done for drugs?

And yes, great read.

Mar 24  /  01:56 Sources: Shaq agrees to be Sac State's hoops GM Sources: Shaq agrees to be Sac State's hoops GM

Shaquille O'Neal has agreed to become the men's basketball general manager of Sacramento State, sources told ESPN.

Shaq is now the general manager of the Sacramento State basketball program. Not sure what exactly the role entails but he links with Mike Bibby who is coaching the team.

It's funny because Shaq has his finger in so many pies it's hard to keep count. Good luck to him because he is a busy and in demand guy despite being long retired.

ALB in for surgery tomorrow.

And it is always great quality

And it's not like he was facing a terrible bowling lineup, they had Siraj, Sharma and Washington with plenty of international experience. Yes T20s in India favour the batsmen heavily but that is an absolutely outrageous innings at that age. He also hit his first ever ball in T20 for 6 a few weeks back as well. Crazy talent, going to be interesting to see how he develops - e.g. will he just be a T20 specialist or does he have a game that can translate to tests.

Māori All Black and Irish & British Lion Riki Flutey completes Black Ferns coaching group Māori All Black and Irish & British Lion Riki Flutey completes Black Ferns coaching group

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) have announced the addition of Māori All Blacks and British and Irish Lions international Riki Flutey to the Black Ferns coaching group.

@dogmeat said in By the balls:

@MN5 Great coaches but not sure i'd define either Rassie or Ted as good blokes. Plenty of guys that do meet those dual criteria though for what it’s worth. BJ Lochore at the top of the list

Henry seems nice under the school headmaster demeanour and Rassie visited Sam Cane in hospital. That’ll do for me

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634K views · 2.5K reactions | Suncorp Stadium's playing surface is... 634K views · 2.5K reactions | Suncorp Stadium's playing surface is...

Suncorp Stadium's playing surface is being replaced days out from Magic Round, after being left damaged by three matches in three days. #Suncorp #MagicRound #NRL #sport #turf #replace #SuncorpStadium...

@MiketheSnow said in Boxing Thread:

Benn v Eubank was a classic

yeah was a great fight even if the two of them dont really trouble the top guys in their division ,

Sometimes a local grudge fight really delivers because of the intense rivalry