The Silver Fern

Spain being heavily touted as the hosts of the 2035 Rugby World Cup with the knockouts in Madrid and Barcelona.

Nou Camp gives Spain edge over Gulf states for 2035 Rugby World Cup

Will Kelleher, Deputy Rugby Correspondent  /  Sport

Nou Camp gives Spain edge over Gulf states for 2035 Rugby World Cup

Spain’s bid, which includes matches at the revamped 105,000 home of Barcelona and Real Madrid’s Bernabeu, has momentum over the Qatar-UAE-Saudi Arabia option

@cgrant said in All Blacks 2025:

Rieko Ioane won't be dropped, IMO. He'll start, not ALB.

He's shown nothing this year. Absolutely zero form at all. Unless he can fix that, I can't see him making the squad. Robertson is loyal, not blind.

Aston Villa into the FA Cup Semi Final. Happy Days.

Something like this for the first Test?

• Assuming they are all fit to play *

Williams, Taylor, Lomax, Vaa'i, S. Barrett (c), Finau, A. Savea, Sititi, Roigard, D Mac, C. Clarke, J.Barrett, ALB, Jordan, Love

Aumua, De Groot, Tosi, Holland, Lakai, Ratima, Perofeta, Tupaea.

The table after 7 rounds.

Reds win it 28-24.

Such an unpredictable tournament this year. Full of surprises.

@cgrant said in Hurricanes vs Waratahs:

It won't happen as Jordan is Robertson's probable choice for the fullback spot. I was just telling that Love's ability to play 1st Five and fullback (à la Perofeta) could earn him a place on the AB's bench.

Will Jordan should be given the 14 jersey. That's where he's most effective, especially at Test level.

@Machpants

My favourite thing in Rugby is when my team wins.

My second favourite thing is when a team that gets written off by the media wins against a much more fancied opponent. You can be sure that articles like that would have been put up in the MO players' room in the 24 hours before kick off.

@Bones I think Stuff have already taken down this article.

The NZ Rugby Media establishment: "The Crusaders will go top of the table this weekend."

Moana Pasifika: "Tear up that script. Here's a new one!"

@Bones The huge travelling support is definitely the thing that makes the 6 Nations such a unique tournament in global sport.

@Bones said in Six Nations Wrap Up:

Just occurred to me - why isn't the women's 6N played as double headers along with the 6N? Seems like a waste, would it result in more of a loss for stadium fees for the unions than having to pay for the extra logistics?

I'd turn every men's Six Nations Saturday into a Super Saturday and play the Women's on the Sunday, under 21s on a Friday night.

@Grooter said in Crusaders v Moana Pasifika:

Blackadder is useless tonight

He'll still make the All Blacks squad though.

Heart, heart and then more heart from MP. Just wonderful!