Super Rugby 2025 Thread

[Kiwias]

Bit of a fight back from the Reds but Preston steals an intercept and the good guys now lead 32 - 12.

That is the 30th home game in the knock-out stages and the Crusaders record is 30 - 0.

[Gumboot]

Impressive 32-12 win to the Saders, who controlled the territory and bossed the Reds scrum all night.

[Kiwias]

Crusaders forwards do much better at the breakdown with Blackadder.

[Guy Smiley]

Crusaders forwards do much better at the breakdown with Blackadder.

That's only because he's Razor's favourite and they all know it.

[Kiwias]

Crusaders forwards do much better at the breakdown with Blackadder.

That's only because he's Razor's favourite and they all know it.

Impressed that the Reds forwards all cooperated so well.

[Guy Smiley]

Crusaders forwards do much better at the breakdown with Blackadder.

That's only because he's Razor's favourite and they all know it.

Impressed that the Reds forwards all cooperated so well.

Razor hypnotised them, just like Crocodile Dundee and the water buffalo.

[Gumboot]

Good to see Fletcher Newell back. He's having a great season.

[Kiwias]

That's only because he's Razor's favourite and they all know it.

Impressed that the Reds forwards all cooperated so well.

Razor hypnotised them, just like Crocodile Dundee and the water buffalo.

We knew the man had skills but, still, that is some deep shit.

[Enzedder]

Cost cutting Moana style

Moana Pasifika have dropped a bombshell in the form of 15 players.

The franchise announced on social media the mass release of squad members, many of whom have been with the side since its inception.

Also leaving is star winger Kyren Taumoefolau, rumoured to be heading to the Chiefs and former skipper Sione Havili-Talitui.

The players released include Fine and Lotu Inisi, Neria Fomai, Danny Toala, Michael Curry, Havili-Talitui, Taumoefolau, Pepesana Patafilo, Alamanda Motuga,

Sama Malolo, Aisea Halo, Tomasi Maka, Connor Seve, Irie Papuni and Pone Fa'amausili.

"Goodbyes are never easy, but they remind us just how meaningful the journey has been. Thank you brothers for everything," Moana posted on their social media channels.

Moana enjoyed their strongest season to date in 2025, picking up wins over every Kiwi franchise except the Chiefs, and narrowly missing out on a play-off berth, finishing in seventh.

However, the gloss was somewhat removed from a sparking start, conceding 149 points in their final two outings.

[Hugo]

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/563357 ... ew-zealand

Enz, this made me think of you.....

[Gumboot]

Impressed that the Reds forwards all cooperated so well.

Razor hypnotised them, just like Crocodile Dundee and the water buffalo.

We knew the man had skills but, still, that is some deep shit.

St Ethan was industrious as ever, but he might need to work on his tackle technique. Didn't really matter with the game already won last night, but imagine it happening in the final minutes of a tight test match...

[Enzedder]

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/563357 ... ew-zealand

Enz, this made me think of you.....

Yeah, me too. I posted it on another thread (here and PR)

[Gumboot]

Battle of the Bombays kicking off shortly in Kirikiriroa.

Captain Luke Jacobson's a late scratching for the good guys with a shoulder injury...

Chiefs:
Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Daniel Rona, Gideon Wrampling, Leroy Carter, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima; Simon Parker, Kaylum Boshier, Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa’i (capt), Naitoa Ah Kuoi, George Dyer, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross.
Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Ollie Norris, Reuben O’Neill, Josh Lord, Wallace Sititi, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Etene Nanai-Seturo.

Blues:
Corey Evans, Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, AJ Lam, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie; Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i, Adrian Choat, Laghlan McWhannell, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Marcel Renata, Ricky Riccitelli, Joshua Fusitu’a.
Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Jordan Lay, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Anton Segner, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes.

[Guy Smiley]

Here we go...

Gus Gardner running the whistle. I dunno... good luck everyone.

[Kiwias]

Weather and pitch conditions look ideal

[Guy Smiley]

So… Nisbo. DMac plays in the 10 jersey and has blonde hair. Shaun Stevenson plays in 15 and has dark hair.

Hope this helps

[Torquemada 1420]

Keewees might be interested in a certain Mr Nonu is taking the field for Toulon today. At the age of 43 and alongside Faingaʻanuku who is 20 years younger!!!!!

[Guy Smiley]

Finau putting his hat back in the forefront of dumb loosie of the year award

[Kiwias]

Ratima!!!!!!!!!!??????!!!!!

Chiefs doing their utmost to let the Blues win

[Torquemada 1420]

Both SHs having days to forget. Whenever I watch Christie, I wonder how TF he is an AB.

[Kiwias]

Utterly bonehead play by Riccitelli, should be red

[Torquemada 1420]

Deserved red for the stupidity.

[Kiwias]

Ratima won't feel as bad now

[Gumboot]

Chiefs ahead 9-3 after a half of missed chances by both sides.

Clarke's only contributions so far: a wayward lineout throw, and picking a fight with Finau of all people.

[Hugo]

The definition of a low scoring classic match.

[Firewater]

9-3 Chiefs

Fairly average half of rugby

Blues players. Evans is poor. Barrett is much better than DMac so far.

Chiefs look like they are just going through the motions, and its not working for them so have relied on penalties to accumulate points

Hope the std of rugby improves in the 2nd half

[Firewater]

Both SHs having days to forget. Whenever I watch Christie, I wonder how TF he is an AB.

Bad from Ratima esp as Christie is already on the outer

[Torquemada 1420]

Ratima won't feel as bad now

Should have trusted his feet.

[Torquemada 1420]

Surprised they didn't look at what looked like a head hit in the build up.

[Kiwias]

Surprised they didn't look at what looked like a head hit in the build up.

The tackle by Stevenson? Looked a bit dodgy to me

[Torquemada 1420]

Surprised they didn't look at what looked like a head hit in the build up.

The tackle by Stevenson? Looked a bit dodgy to me

Yeah. That one.

[Torquemada 1420]

Blues looking leggy now. Maybe all those tackles catching up.

[Kiwias]

The try there means Blues escape a YC

[Torquemada 1420]

The try there means Blues escape a YC

Which I hate.

[Biffer]

What’s up with this lunatic playoff structure? Next game this morning looks pretty meaningless. Both teams guaranteed to get to the semifinals, both away from home in NZ.

[Hugo]

Credit where it is due - Barrett has influenced this game more than DMac.

[Biffer]

What’s up with this lunatic playoff structure? Next game this morning looks pretty meaningless. Both teams guaranteed to get to the semifinals, both away from home in NZ.

My mistake, looks like they have a reason to play after all. But the Chiefs go through anyway. Weird, weird setup.

Edit - and the Chiefs only drop to second seed so still get home advantage? Mental.

[Guy Smiley]

Well...


well well well

[Gumboot]

Well done, Blues. Staunch defence kept them in the fight.

[Moral Dilemma]

Holy balls! What a win!

Played our best game of the season last week, so I had some hope for tonight... but not a lot!

PT really has become a great leader.

The bad news is, we've pretty much just gifted the 'saders the title now.