Super Rugby Pacific

[Guy Smiley]

Beauden is just a cunt

Perhaps, but he's quite a popular cunt.

cockgobblers

[Kiwias]

Beauden is just a cunt

Perhaps, but he's quite a popular cunt.

That is absolutely bullshit. There is no way four different commentators would come up with exactly the same order for five players in a given position.

[Grandpa]

Beauden is just a cunt

Perhaps, but he's quite a popular cunt.

That is absolutely bullshit. There is no way four different commentators would come up with exactly the same order for five players in a given position.

They did have differences of opinion at scrum half though... apart from Smith starting...

[Gumboot]

Interesting how Perenara seems to be falling out of favour, with the armchair selectors at least. I hope the actual selectors go with Smith, Fakatava and Christie.

[Torquemada 1420]

Interesting how Perenara seems to be falling out of favour, with the armchair selectors at least. I hope the actual selectors go with Smith, Fakatava and Christie.

From an armchair viewer's perspective, I've already said (on this thread) that Smith increasingly looks like past sell by date. Also that at the moment Christie looks a long way from being the standard I'd expect from an AB i.e. that there are several better SHs in T14, many of whom are not intl standard IMHO. I do like Fakatava. He's pretty raw but he makes things happen whereas Smith seems to be going through the motions. I don't feel TJP has been at his best this season but hard to tell playing behind a patchy Canes pack.

On another note:

THEY’RE ON FIRE!
Beauden Barrett the hero in the big Super Rugby clash

FM, he had a shocking game all round.

[Kiwias]

They did have differences of opinion at scrum half though... apart from Smith starting...

The varied selections at 9 reinforce my view that their opinions on first five are utter bullshit.

Smith at his best, focused on his job and not waving his arms and pleading with the ref, is still the top scrummie in NZ but his lapses are becoming more frequent. For me, his best sustained work was in the last two minutes of the great escape test vs Ireland in 2013.

[Gumboot]

They did have differences of opinion at scrum half though... apart from Smith starting...

The varied selections at 9 reinforce my view that their opinions on first five are utter bullshit.

Smith at his best, focused on his job and not waving his arms and pleading with the ref, is still the top scrummie in NZ but his lapses are becoming more frequent. For me, his best sustained work was in the last two minutes of the great escape test vs Ireland in 2013.

That's a long time ago, but yes Smith at his best is still the best.

[Grandpa]

Interesting how Perenara seems to be falling out of favour, with the armchair selectors at least. I hope the actual selectors go with Smith, Fakatava and Christie.

The only one of them that agrees with you is Ben O'Keefe...

[Guy Smiley]

Christie can be lively but he doesn't deliver consistently.

Like so many 9s playing at the moment, he is getting urged to 'play it' by the ref frequently and ignoring that call to the point where he'll piss the ref off and there's no winning that fight.

The thought that he could end up second fiddle to Fakatava isn't confidence inspiring.

I should temper my language to be polite... my outburst about BB being a cunt was an immediate reaction to his drop goal celebration after doing fuck all for his team all night and then claiming the glory.

Those 'pundit' opinions are... well, illuminating. Maybe there's something secret going on that I don't have privilege granted to see.

[FalseBayFC]

I would take TKB into the 2023 WC. Choosing a RWC 2023 squad should be the guiding thought for any national coach or panel of selectors this year. A Smith, TKB and Fakatava for 9. Choose a steady, boring no.4 for back up. Brad Weber would do nicely.

[Torquemada 1420]

I would take TKB into the 2023 WC. Choosing a RWC 2023 squad should be the guiding thought for any national coach or panel of selectors this year. A Smith, TKB and Fakatava for 9. Choose a steady, boring no.4 for back up. Brad Weber would do nicely.

You appear not to have watched TKB for LaR over the last few years. It's a standing joke that from the conveyor belt of SHs and FHs in NZ, LaR managed to hire the 2 sh*t ones (West being the FH).

[Niegs]

I wondered how many Moana players were actually locals from Tonga / Samoa ...

[Kiwias]

They did have differences of opinion at scrum half though... apart from Smith starting...

The varied selections at 9 reinforce my view that their opinions on first five are utter bullshit.

Smith at his best, focused on his job and not waving his arms and pleading with the ref, is still the top scrummie in NZ but his lapses are becoming more frequent. For me, his best sustained work was in the last two minutes of the great escape test vs Ireland in 2013.

That's a long time ago, but yes Smith at his best is still the best.

He has had excellent games since 2013, in particular RWC2015, but in Irish test, it was right at the end of a tough match and he was still firing absolute bullets through that last magical two minutes. He was the Boss.

[Guy Smiley]

I wondered how many Moana players were actually locals from Tonga / Samoa ...

Now go ask how many are required to be eligible for their island home unions. What so many people fail to understand with regard to the PIs is that NZ is part of the Pacific with very strong ties to the islands that includes providing residence and work for so many who still identify as Islanders while living in NZ.

[Torquemada 1420]

Not understanding MP's thinking here. Rested most players for the Reds game but surely this one should have been targeted for the win?

[Kiwias]

Crusaders named for Friday's match vs Reds. Richie still being rested for the final rounds.

[FalseBayFC]

I wondered how many Moana players were actually locals from Tonga / Samoa ...

Now go ask how many are required to be eligible for their island home unions. What so many people fail to understand with regard to the PIs is that NZ is part of the Pacific with very strong ties to the islands that includes providing residence and work for so many who still identify as Islanders while living in NZ.

That's all well and good for the senior rep teams of the PI unions. But how does that money help develop the game outside of the NZ PI communities? Are there any Super matches played in Fiji, Tonga or Samoa? Are their unions involved financially?

[Biffer]

So, Kiwis - what's this Wes Goosen laddie who's coming to Edinburgh like? Decent?

[FalseBayFC]

So, Kiwis - what's this Wes Goosen laddie who's coming to Edinburgh like? Decent?

Not a Kiwi but follow Super Rugby and NPC enough to know that he's a very handy signing. He'll do very well up North. He's still a youngster and covers centre and wing equally well. May even have a Scottish grandparent.

[Guy Smiley]

I wondered how many Moana players were actually locals from Tonga / Samoa ...

Now go ask how many are required to be eligible for their island home unions. What so many people fail to understand with regard to the PIs is that NZ is part of the Pacific with very strong ties to the islands that includes providing residence and work for so many who still identify as Islanders while living in NZ.

That's all well and good for the senior rep teams of the PI unions. But how does that money help develop the game outside of the NZ PI communities? Are there any Super matches played in Fiji, Tonga or Samoa? Are their unions involved financially?

Ok, I'm convinced. It should never have been done.

[Guy Smiley]

So, Kiwis - what's this Wes Goosen laddie who's coming to Edinburgh like? Decent?

He's a powerful player. Not the sheer speed of some but he's a pretty handy pick up all the same. A casual parallel might be to compare him with James Lowe and add a little strength.

[FalseBayFC]

Now go ask how many are required to be eligible for their island home unions. What so many people fail to understand with regard to the PIs is that NZ is part of the Pacific with very strong ties to the islands that includes providing residence and work for so many who still identify as Islanders while living in NZ.

That's all well and good for the senior rep teams of the PI unions. But how does that money help develop the game outside of the NZ PI communities? Are there any Super matches played in Fiji, Tonga or Samoa? Are their unions involved financially?

Ok, I'm convinced. It should never have been done.

I see Drua are playing the Chiefs in Lautoka this weekend. But Moana Pasifika will have their home ground in Auckland until 2028. They're owned by NZ rugby and the bulk of their squad are NZ citizens. I thought somehow Moana Pasifika was involved with the Samoan and Tongan Unions.

[Niegs]

Nice little spot on Segner (side note... so much for that bored stereotype of Kiwi girls, check out his gf!).

Odds of him being an AB? Low I should think, though what do I know? He doesn't look that muscular or even that tall.

[Grandpa]

Nice little spot on Segner (side note... so much for that bored stereotype of Kiwi girls, check out his gf!).

Odds of him being an AB? Low I should think, though what do I know? He doesn't look that muscular or even that tall.

He'll fill out when he grows up.. only 19 or 20 isn't he? In 2 or 3 years he'll be first choice in the Blues...

[Guy Smiley]

That's all well and good for the senior rep teams of the PI unions. But how does that money help develop the game outside of the NZ PI communities? Are there any Super matches played in Fiji, Tonga or Samoa? Are their unions involved financially?

Ok, I'm convinced. It should never have been done.

I see Drua are playing the Chiefs in Lautoka this weekend. But Moana Pasifika will have their home ground in Auckland until 2028. They're owned by NZ rugby and the bulk of their squad are NZ citizens. I thought somehow Moana Pasifika was involved with the Samoan and Tongan Unions.

A majority of their players must be eligible for their ‘home’ unions in the islands. The reasoning is that they don’t lose players to NH contracts this way… players good enough can get a local contract and remain available for their home nations’ teams.

[convoluted]

It seems 4 or 5 of them have just been named in the Tongan national team for a Pacific Tournament that will include Australia A.
And, hallelujah, Folau, Piutau and Fakitova are included too. If Tonga swiped a Highlander's halfback and a Chiefs' hooker then they'd start looking real threatening.

[Gumboot]

Crusaders vs Reds kicking off in 10 minutes.


Crusaders: 1-George Bower, 2-Brodie McAlister, 3-Oli Jager, 4-Scott Barrett (c), 5-Sam Whitelock, 6-Pablo Matera, 7-Ethan Blackadder, 8-Cullen Grace, 9-Bryn Hall, 10-Fergus Burke, 11-Leicester Fainga'anuku, 12-David Havili, 13-Braydon Ennor, 14-Sevu Reece, 15-Will Jordan
Reserves: 16-Ricky Jackson, 17-Finlay Brewis, 18-Tamaiti Williams, 19-Zach Gallagher, 20-Tom Christie, 21-Mitch Drummond, 22-Chay Finaki, 23-George Bridge

Reds: 1-Dane Zander, 2-Matt Faessler, 3-Feao Fotuaika, 4-Seru Uru, 5-Ryan Smith, 6-Angus Scott-Young, 7-Fraser McReight, 8-Harry Wilson, 9-Tate McDermott, 10-Lawson Creighton, 11-Filipo Daugunu, 12-Hamish Stewart, 13-Jordan Petaia, 14-Suliasi Vunivalu, 15-Jock Campell
Reserves: 16-Richie Asiata, 17-Harry Hoopert, 18-Sef Fa'agase, 19-Angus Blyth, 20-Connor Vest, 21-Liam Wright, 22-Kalani Thomas, 23-Mac Grealy

[Kiwias]

Crusaders vs Reds kicking off in 10 minutes.


Crusaders: 1-George Bower, 2-Brodie McAlister, 3-Oli Jager, 4-Scott Barrett (c), 5-Sam Whitelock, 6-Pablo Matera, 7-Ethan Blackadder, 8-Cullen Grace, 9-Bryn Hall, 10-Fergus Burke, 11-Leicester Fainga'anuku, 12-David Havili, 13-Braydon Ennor, 14-Sevu Reece, 15-Will Jordan
Reserves: 16-Ricky Jackson, 17-Finlay Brewis, 18-Tamaiti Williams, 19-Zach Gallagher, 20-Tom Christie, 21-Mitch Drummond, 22-Chay Finaki, 23-George Bridge

Reds: 1-Dane Zander, 2-Matt Faessler, 3-Feao Fotuaika, 4-Seru Uru, 5-Ryan Smith, 6-Angus Scott-Young, 7-Fraser McReight, 8-Harry Wilson, 9-Tate McDermott, 10-Lawson Creighton, 11-Filipo Daugunu, 12-Hamish Stewart, 13-Jordan Petaia, 14-Suliasi Vunivalu, 15-Jock Campell
Reserves: 16-Richie Asiata, 17-Harry Hoopert, 18-Sef Fa'agase, 19-Angus Blyth, 20-Connor Vest, 21-Liam Wright, 22-Kalani Thomas, 23-Mac Grealy

I thought that kick-off had been moved to 7:35

[Gumboot]

I thought that kick-off had been moved to 7:35

Ah right, cheers.

[Guy Smiley]

I thought that kick-off had been moved to 7:35

Ah right, cheers.

Got home just in time for the …

Late kick off

[Kiwias]

This comment is a bit behind the play but how good was Bower's one-handed scoop up of that low pass leading to Jordan's try?

[Gumboot]

This comment is a bit behind the play but how good was Bower's one-handed scoop up of that low pass leading to Jordan's try?

Yep, very impressive.

[Kiwias]

This comment is a bit behind the play but how good was Bower's one-handed scoop up of that low pass leading to Jordan's try?

Yep, very impressive.

So impressive that for a second, I thought it was Sevu Reece

[Gumboot]

This comment is a bit behind the play but how good was Bower's one-handed scoop up of that low pass leading to Jordan's try?

Yep, very impressive.

So impressive that for a second, I thought it was Sevu Reece

He's in career best form - been great around the field.

[Guy Smiley]

Yep, very impressive.

So impressive that for a second, I thought it was Sevu Reece

He's in career best form - been great around the field.

It was a thing of beauty to behold.

I don’t know how anyone could think Marshall adds anything to commentary.

[Torquemada 1420]

In a way, I'm not really enjoying this because it's just going to become a bumming.

[Guy Smiley]

In a way, I'm not really enjoying this because it's just going to become a bumming.

Different for me… this is my team and there are a bunch of second string type selections to observe.

I’m seriously impressed by Fergus Bourke. Others I’m liking the look of include Bower, Ennor and Bridge is playing as well as I’ve seen from him for a long while.

[Grandpa]

This comment is a bit behind the play but how good was Bower's one-handed scoop up of that low pass leading to Jordan's try?

Yep, very impressive.

So impressive that for a second, I thought it was Sevu Reece

Can he play 12? Just the sort of physical presence with good handling skills we need there in the All Blacks...

[Gumboot]

Jordan surely has to be our starting test fullback now? Jordie on the bench covering 10,11,12,13,14 and 15.

[Kiwias]

In a way, I'm not really enjoying this because it's just going to become a bumming.

I can understand how a neutral could see it that way but them's my boys out there, wanting to lay down yet another marker heading into the semis. I am also enjoying watching players like Bridge and Whitelock in such excellent form, along with youngsters like Burke, Ennor, and Bower playing so well. The backrow is performing really well too.