@Machpants said in Māori All Blacks to play Ireland?:

Tickets in welly with the boys, woot. Pop over to the rapa afterwards to see the family.

Hell Mach, I was going to do Wellington Tues, then head to the Rapa for a couple of days then back to test., but today got tickets to Hamilton so will go see fmily up there, home and down to Welly for the test.
By christ I so happy being back in Aotearoa and being able to do rugby again!!!
Yeehaa!

Fakatava news now officially confirmed

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/128674150/highlanders-halfback-folau-fakatava-cleared-to-play-for-all-blacks-as-eligibility-case-is-settled

@Daffy-Jaffy Holy crap, looks like some grandads are in for an expensive season ice cream wise for each try, especially the small kid with the affro. Hard to believe he has such beautiful running and stepping skills at such a young age. And there were a good number of others too.

Him leaving now is just weird as opposed to the end of the year unless there is more happening behind the scenes. Although being a prize fluffybunny he was getting metres and minutes where others were failing.

CHT also confirmed he rejected the Warriors offer to stay, no sign yet where he goes.

@Stargazer They may be Mormons and doing some studies at the Mormon Temple up that way?

@KiwiPie said in EPL 2021 / 2022:

At least that scumbag has gone to jail apparently

24 weeks

Apparently he doesn't know why he went on the pitch and he was just running trying to get off again. He swerved to avoid people and accidentally ran into Billy Sharp. Please don't send me to jail. It was an accident. I won't be able to pay my mortgage.

Fortunately the judge saw it differently (properly) and wanted to send a message.

Also banned for life by Forest.

Can it be arranged for him to do his time in Sheffield?

@Chester-Draws said in 2022 School rugby:

Being a Moascar Cup game, RBHS won't take the same chances as for a friendly.

Rotorua have already played a lot of games so far this year.

Does the Super 8 always start so late?

Yes, the competition usually starts in June.

@Stargazer No, he is back up at the Chiefs. I might, or might not, be at the game tomorrow. If it is too wet for Speedway then pretty good chance I will venture over for the game after taking in the Texans Under 21s 1.15pm match against Pirates at Whitmore Park. Pretty sure that is one of the Colts boys starting at first five for the Altherm Prems tomorrow, a player that is quite diminutive size wise! That backline looks like it is a sort of who is fit type team where you slot in anyone that is not injured and stick them anywhere!
Interesting to note NZ Superstocks runnerup Jason Long on the team sheet of the home side. Looks like he will have to bugger off at half time if he is to make the grid for the first race in the Superstock Autumn Nationals being staged at Meeanee Speedway starting at 4.00pm! Also, is that homeside openside flanker a Chinese Samoan or a genuine Chinese?
EDIT: I see he is a Cook Island International under the name of Jardine Pumati-Chung Ching. http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/player/308628.html

The season is starting to take shape now, but a couple of pivotal matches; HH (3) v Sharks (5) & Waipu (4) Moerewa/United Kawa Kawa (6)

Mid Northern (1) & Kamo (2) should both record wins, and I think Sharks will get up over HH and Waipu will be too strong for Moerewa/United Kawa Kawa.

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weird playoffs really. Seems like every game is a blow out

Honestly was the closest series of games the first round sweep of the Nets?

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ALL HAIL TO THE MIGHTY BEARD!!

@Derpus nor do I, but as I said, just pointing it out as a possible risk.

@SouthernMann which is sad, seemed like a good bloke when i met him in melbourne the other week and would honestly be a better option than gregory

@Machpants said in Law trials and changes:

I like these new laws, a good starting point. For me water should be available at the sideline, help yourself whenever, but the game doesn't stop.

Era of 'Rassie the water boy' is over as World Rugby trial new law Era of 'Rassie the water boy' is over as World Rugby trial new law

The era of Erasmus running onto the Test pitch delivering water to his Springboks is over after World Rugby adopted to trial a new trial law.

Great news. Not sure why they stopped at 'head coach' though. Usually it is an assistant coach sent on with messages.
Currently refs look really weak demanding that water carriers leave while they are totally ignored.

A brief summary of each team, including players to look out for, captains etc.

PREVIEW: Bunnings Warehouse Super Rugby Under 20 PREVIEW: Bunnings Warehouse Super Rugby Under 20

The Bunning Warehouse Super Rugby Under 20’s Tournament kicks off at Owen Delany Park in Taupō this Sunday, with 162 players looking to put their hand up for higher honours.

If Tucker makes the ABs - great. He is a Waikato player after all. But I am not sure who he would displace. Time to move on from Tuipulotu anyway.

Tucker has often played at 6, and even no.8.

@KiwiMurph the presence of Larkham might be a carrot, but having these signings continue will give other players some food for thought.

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Niall Williams is back!

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@Hooroo said in Rough tips and other bets...:

Super duper exciting. Expectations are realistic but fuck a duck it’s exciting to just have a horse in the race, let alone being competitive on paper

@Duluth @JK @allothers

I’ll be watching at the Auckland Casino TAB if you want a beer on me!!!

Shit. Normally I would say yes, completely impossible this weekend

@Victor-Meldrew I recall reading something only a few weeks about it, from Smith, although as always, cannot find it, but googling it comes up with Smiths name.

World Rugby media release about the Pacific Nations Cup:

worldrugby.org Pacific Nations Cup returns in July for its 15th edition | World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup returns in July for its 15th edition | World Rugby

The World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup 2022 is returning after a three-year absence and will feature four teams from the Pacific region in Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Australia A.

Now playing:

NZ Māori v Ireland (Rotorua, 18 June 2010)

NZ Māori line-up:
1 Bronson Murray Northland Ngapuhi
2 Corey Flynn Canterbury Kai Tahu
3 Ben Afeaki North Harbour Ngati Awa
4 Hayden Triggs Otago Ngati Kahungunu
5 Jarrad Hoeata Taranaki Ngati Kahungunu/Ngai Tuhoe
6 Liam Messam ( c ) Waikato Ngai Tuhoe
7 Tanerau Latimer Bay of Plenty Tapuika/Ngati Makino/Te Arawa
8 Colin Bourke Bay of Plenty Ngati Wairere
9 Aaron Smith Manawatu Ngati Kahungunu
10 Stephen Brett Canterbury Ngapuhi/Te Arawa
11 Hosea Gear Wellington Ngati Porou/Ngariki Kaiputahi
12 Luke McAlister North Harbour Te Atiawa
13 Dwayne Sweeney Waikato Ngati Mahanga
14 Sean Maitland Canterbury Ngapuhi
15 Robbie Robinson Southland Ngati Tuwharetoa

Reserves
16 Dane Coles Wellington Ngati Porou
17 Clint Newlands Hawke’s Bay Ngati Kahungunu
18 Romana Graham Waikato Ngati Awa
19 Karl Lowe * Hawke’s Bay Ngati Pikiao/Te Arawa
20 Ruki Tipuna * Wellington Ngai Te Rangi
21 Willie Ripia * Taranaki Ngai Tuhoe
22 Jackson Willison Waikato Ngati Mahuta

Note: * denotes New Zealand Maori debutant

@Bovidae said in Highlanders 2022:

Marshall (who replaced Jackson) is the youngest of the current three at 29.

So still significantly younger than the AB hookers?

@Bovidae said in 2022 Black Ferns:

@Crucial I am relying on what is in the match programme I have which has DOBs.

Probably the correct one rather than the team sheet media release. Makes more sense

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Media release:

Nathan Williamson  /  May 18 Wallaroos announce squad for Pacific Four | Latest Rugby News | RUGBY.com.au Wallaroos announce squad for Pacific Four | Latest Rugby News | RUGBY.com.au

The Wallaroos have confirmed their 32-player squad for next month's Pacific Four series in New Zealand.

@MiketheSnow said in NH International Rugby:

@Daffy-Jaffy said in NH International Rugby:

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Thoughts on the squad and what can you tell us about the new caps @MiketheSnow ?

As much as I love Lydiate, why?

Unless our other flankers like Thomas Young and Botham are injured.

Same for Priestland.

The rest picked themselves.

New boys have been playing well but would still have gone with Young and Botham

We’re going to be hammered regardless

You know you’re getting old when a cricketer you have fond memories of watching play has a grandson playing international sport.

@mariner4life said in Classic Rugby Videos:

all that talent and a grand total of 1 NPC title....

how shit were the other 5 blokes?

Words not normally associated with Wellington: Great tight five.

@KiwiMurph that screams Mounga off the bench for the AB's. Would be interesting to see the breakdown of Jordie's stats across his positions.

@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2022:

@gt12 said in Chiefs 2022:

@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2022:

@Bovidae I'm such a massive fan of his, I've seen him around a few times at the supermarket and shit but I never say anything when I see players out as they're just humans. Mum's met him at games and says he's the loveliest guy out. Always a big fan of players personalities coming out rather than the standard "full credit to the boys" shit. Defs a future All Black.

no way.

Why?

He’s a bits and pieces player who is great at Super level but not good enough at either to make the next step in my opinion.

The lock/six spot is one where you have to be world class in one and really serviceable in the other.

So, he’d be well behind Vaa’i, Barrett, Robinson, and likely Grace right now, for me. The key one is Vaa’i who is basically the same thing but better, and already capped. He’s need an injury to Vaa’i to get the opportunity in my opinion, plus the selectors to ignore Robinson, and not use Barrett as a potential 6.

Too many dominos in my opinion.

@NZbloke said in B B McCullum: England Test Coach:

@Nevorian said in B B McCullum: England Test Coach:

The Senior Coaches role is not necessarily about coaching the skills, they have specialist batting, bowling and fielding coaches for that. Baz will bring a lot of positivity to the set up and the correct team culture and the analytical and match plan knowledge that England currently lack at Test level anyway

Yeah, a coaches job is basically about man management/motivation skills, tactics etc... going to be a bit strange playing against the poms with McCullum as their coach, also another NZer as their captain.

I don’t count him. He couldn’t look or sound more English if he tried and has lived there most of his life.

South Africa have far more reason to gripe at us when you consider a few of our recent stars.

@Tim Mark Telea will be looking to chanel vili waqasedua & get his hands on the log of wood

I see josh bartlett nikora broughton and veveni lasaqa playing for varsity in hamilton. Bernie hati been playibg for whaka and a few played for greerton marist other day lamolio.etc
Heard jacob norris might be playing for bop
Any news

@MN5 good read m8

NPC is now played in two pools. A province now plays every other province in their own pool and 4 cross-over games against provinces in the other pool.

Provinces in our pool are: Waikato, Counties Manukau, Otago, Southland, Wellington, BOP.
Our cross-over games are against: Manawatū (away), North Harbour (home), Canterbury (away), Tasman (home).

I've tried to rationalise who picked who, but witht he complicated selection process for cross-over games (see below), it's a lot of guess work.

All you can say is that in the first round of selections, the HBRU had 6th pick for a home game, so only two provinces would have been left to chose from for a Ranfurly Shield game (either North Harbour or Tasman).

In the 2nd round of picks, the Magpies would have been picked for an away game (for the Magpies), so by Manawatū or Canterbury.

In the 3rd round of selections, the HBRU would be 2nd to pick for an away game, so (again) Manawatū or Canterbury.

In the 4th and final round of selections, the Magpies would have been picked for a Ranfurly Shield game in Napier, by either North Harbour or Tasman. Tasman had first pick in that round of selections; North Harbour 6th (so only two teams left).

From the Competition Regulations Handbook:

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@Higgins said in Magpies 2022:

Do you think it is about time we took the Shield on Tour to give some of the minor unions like Bay of Plenty another chance after last years failed attempt?

No.

In case there's any doubts about work experience kids, Girmay - the Eritrean - wins Stage 10 of the Giro - outsprinting Van Der Poel. He's not used to champagne corks though and hits himself in the eye during the celebration. Goes to hospital...

Stage 9 was a little bit of a GC sort out - shaking lots of pretenders out on a mountain stage. Suprisingly (to me), Jai Hindley won an uphill sprint of the big guns - with Bardet, Landa, Carapaz, Almeida and Pozzovivo finishing behind him. Juan Pedro Lopez still has the leader's jersey, but lost time on the Blockhaus climb and will surely hand it over in the next few days.

Carapaz remains the overall favourite for me, with Almeida and Bardet looking next most likely.