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.

An absolute legend of the game. One of the best, ever, has retired.

No more starts for SBW, please.

Write-up of yesterday's academy game by "clubrugby" (a Wellington-based account). There's an instagram post at the bottom of the article with a video of Tiaki Fabish' try. He's become a lot bigger since I last saw him play (about two years ago). I wonder how far off he is of NPC level? This is his third year out of school (same Napier BHS 1st XV as the Thompson twins).

https://clubrugby.nz/wp/2021/03/06/hawkes-bay-beat-wellington-in-academy-clash/

I expected a comfortable win for the Brumbies. Instead, it took a 82nd minute penalty kick to take the win.

The Rebels aren't as weak as I thought at the beginning of the season.

Awesome kick!

Weird, messy game this.

Red card. Correct call, although the Rebels prop went a bit low himself.

@nepia I have no idea whether Cooper can play 7; I was just wondering whether it would be a good idea for him to develop into a 7, or at least a backrow utility who can play 7 (like Evans).

I suspect there are already a few provinces lining up to poach him and he might be tempted, if he thinks he won't get a starting spot in the Magpies squad because Devan and MMT are already claiming that 8 and 6 jersey.

I'd like to see them all starting for the Magpies, one day (if they're not in the ABs), but that's only possible if one of them moves to 7.

The prospect of the British and Irish Lions proceeding with their tour of South Africa as scheduled this summer remains a live option after officials requested more information on Friday (Saturday NZT) and time before making a final call.

The only firm decision taken by the eight-man Lions board, which is chaired by Jason Leonard, was to rule out the option of relocating the tour to Australia.

Rugby Australia had made a bold offer to host the eight-match series Down Under, including the promise of capacity crowds for three test matches to be played at major stadiums in Perth, Sydney and Brisbane, given the almost zero community transmission of the virus in the country.

However, it is understood that Rugby Australia's offer of a minimum guarantee to cover the costs of relocating the tour and the loss of revenue in the event of a short-notice lockdown was not enough to make it a viable option. There was also concern about the guarantee of capacity crowds.

Rugby Australia had been dealing directly with the South African Rugby Union, as tour host, but the Lions board also decided to turn down the offer.

(...)

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/300246367/british-and-irish-lions-rule-out-relocating-springboks-tour-to-australia

@higgins It will be interesting to see what Cooper Flanders is going to do when he leaves school. He's one of the few players in the Academy squad, who is still at school (I think Bethel Lutele-Malasia is, too). I really hope the HBRU will be able to lock him in for the next few years, so others can't poach him. With his brother and MMT certain starters for the next few years at 6 and 8 (unless one or both them manages to get picked up by the ABs), he might want to consider a switch to openside, or at least increase his utility value? I expect big things from this lad, but it really has to be for the Magpies.

IMO Cane is a great player, but it seems he isn't as good as he was a few years ago. I wonder whether that has anything to do with that serious neck injury he's had?

Result: Hawke's Bay Academy 29 - 12 Wellington Academy (HT: 19 - 12)

Our points differential is better than Manawatu's, so this should mean that we've won this mini-competition.

It wouldn't surprise me at all if Wellington - despite being convincingly beaten by both other provinces - still manages to get the largest number of players in the Hurricanes U20 squad. Because that's how the Hurricanes roll ...