Great news that the man is back playing!

Lealiifano makes rugby return in Singapore

Arrived back home from hospital, this morning. I missed most of the SR final due to an asthma attack. I'm okay again, but it was a bit scary for a while. Absolutely bad timing, of course (although I think I know what triggered it), but fortunately we recorded the final on mysky and I just watched it, although it's not quite the same when you know the final score.

I don't have much to add to comments already made. It was a typical final in which defence won the game. Todd and Read were outstanding in the forwards, and Bridge, Mo'unga and Havili in the backs. Lots of dew on the ground and a wet ball can explain some of the bad ball handling, but it has to be said that the Jaguares also made some really stupid mistakes. Their 10 was terrible. Overall, the Jaguares played reasonably well and they'll learn from their mistakes. The Crusaders looked - as expected - the more experienced team. Awesome how they changed their game plan when the first one didn't work and good decision-making when they went for the points when they were on offer. Mo'unga's goal-kicking is outstanding now and that's good for the RWC. Not sure whether some of the other rookies are ready though. Still think Havili should have been named in the ABs.

And then reading this thread .. jaysus. How can a welcome new addition to the Fern with a fresh point of view turn so quickly into an arrogant, trolling twat. Although it was quite hilarious to read how those who responded to his nonsense were referred to as the "Cantab crew & their cheerleaders", considering many of them support other franchises in SR games other than the final and are quite fervent anti-cantabs 52 weeks per year.

Anyway, 2019 SR season done and dusted. I'll put the Crusaders 2020 blog post up tonight (had already prepared most of it). Can't wait for the Mitre 10 cup now, oh, and yes, some international games ...

@mariner4life said in Hurricanes v Chiefs:

i am going to carry on like an absolute fuckhead.

No more starts for SBW, please.

@taniwharugby For me, it's this one with Cory Jane:

U18 Chiefs v Blues

Thu 1 October 2020 - St Paul's Collegiate, Hamilton
1.05pm – Chiefs U18 (Team Clarke) v Blues U18
2.35pm – Chiefs U18 (Team Messam) v Blues U18

According to the St Paul's Collegiate Facebook page, both games will be broadcast live on Sky, but there's nothing in the Sky tv schedule, yet.

@Kiwiwomble Uhm, which team & stadium?

Round 4 results:

Wellington 28 (Thamsyn Newton, Ayesha Leti-l'iga, Joanah Ngan-Woo tries; Penalty try; Newton 3 con)
Manawatu 31 (Janna Vaughan 2, Crystal Mayes, Carys Dallinger tries; Selica Winiata con, 3 pen).
HT: 14-23

Tasman 24 (Stephani Mitchell 2, Anna Bradley, Ashley Ulutupu tries; Eve Findlay 2 con)
Otago 67 (Hinemoa Watene 2, Kilistine Moata'ane 2, Bree Thomas 2, Leah Miles, Amy du Plessis, Meg Breen, Rosie Kelly, Teilah Ferguson tries; Kelly 6 con).
HT: 5-33

North Harbour 0
Auckland 72 (Daynah Nankivell 2, Patricia Maliepo, Grace Kukutai 2, Charmaine McMennamin, Saphire Abraham 2, Ruahei Demant, Aleisha-Pearl Nelson, Shannon Leota, Joeannah Uaseli-Purcell tries; Maliepo 6 con).
HT: 0-38

Bay of Plenty 73 (Risaleaana Pouri-Lane 2, Pia Tapsell, Mahina Paul, Alena Saili 2, H Parata-Kingi 2, Luka O'Connor, Kelsie Wills, Natalie Delamere, Esra van Ramele, A.N. Other tries; Parata-King 3 con; K Tahere con)
Taranaki 17 (Paige Neilson 2, Tiana Davison tries; Gayle Broughton con).
HT: 41-0

Hawke's Bay 15 (Niamh Jefferson, Cortez Te Pou, Ashley Palu tries)
Canterbury 72 (Alana Bremner 2, Martha Lolohea 2, Grace Brooker 2, Lucy Anderson, Kendra Cocksedge, Isabella Waterman, Grace Steinmetz, Sam Curtis, Trina Greenslade tries; Cocksedge 4 con; Waterman 2 con)

Countries Manukau 20 (K Mailata, Ngatokutoru Arakua, Shonte To'a tries; Hazel Tubic con, pen)
Northland 32 (Tyler Nankivell 4, Leilani Erwin tries; Timara Leaf 2 con, pen).
HT: 20-10

Great win from Championship team Northland over Premiership team Counties Manukau.
Apart from Wellington v Manawatu, the other cross-over games had predictable results.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/300118074/young-dutch-trio-forging-a-path-in-new-zealand-rugby

@cgrant Yeah, he has been good for years and was training with the Canes during preseason in 2019. He has been around their development team (Hurricanes Hunters) for years. It's mind-boggling that has never been signed, esp by the Canes. I hope this year's stint with the Highlanders leads to something; either in Dunedin or elsewhere.

@shark Highlanders, not Blues. But, he is a cousin of Blues' hooker James Parsons, so there is a link.

I found a replay of Bulls v Sharks on Wed, 30 Sep at 8.00am (Sky Sport 1). Can't find one of the Lions v Stormers game.

@ACT-Crusader No, I meant to watch the second game, but totally forgot about daylightsaving. So I'm hoping to find a replay of the games.

@Yeetyaah I find Hames very annoying as a commentator, but I trust he knows the rules as a referee.