NPR

Tahs vs Canes kicking off shortly.


Waratahs: 1-Angus Bell, 2-Dave Porecki, 3-Archer Holz, 4-Jed Holloway, 5-Hugh Sinclair, 6-Will Harris, 7-Charlie Gamble, 8-Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, 9-Jake Gordon (c), 10-Tane Edmed, 11-Dylan Pietsch, 12-Lalakai Foketi, 13-Izaia Perese, 14-Mark Nawaqanitawase, 15-Alex Newsome
Reserves: 16-Mahe Vailanu, 17-Te Tara Faulkner, 18-Paddy Ryan, 19-Ned Hanigan, 20-Langi Gleeson, 21-Jack Grant, 22-Ben Donaldson, 23-Triston Reilly

Hurricanes: 1-Xavier Numia, 2-Asafo Aumua, 3-Tyrel Lomax, 4-James Blackwell, 5-Justin Sangster, 6-TK Howden, 7-Du'Plessis Kirifi, 8-Ardie Savea (c), 9-Jamie Booth, 10-Aidan Morgan, 11-Salesi Rayasi, 12-Jordie Barrett, 13-Bailyn Sullivan, 14-Julian Savea, 15-Josh Moorby
Reserves: 16-Dane Coles, 17-Tevita Mafileo, 18-Owen Franks, 19-Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20-Caleb Delany, 21-Cameron Roigard, 22-Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23-Billy Proctor

how was that not a YC, swinging arm straight to the head

This looks like it might be a painful night for the Canes, they are not in this game at all, getting beaten in every phase.

Tahs pack taking charge.

and just like that, lead is gone.

Canes coach seems to send out his cannon fodder early hoping the opposition will tire themselves out and then sends in his top side. Different, to be sure!!

Rebels vs Chiefs kicking off in about 15 minutes.


Rebels: Reece Hodge, George Worth, Andrew Kellaway, Stacey Ili, Glen Vaihu, Carter Gordon, James Tuttle, Rob Leota, Brad Wilkin, Michael Wells (c), Josh Hill, Matt Philip, Pone Fa’amausili, Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon.
Reserves: James Hanson, Cameron Orr, Cabous Eloff, Josh Canham, Richard Hardwick, Joe Powell, Nick Jooste, Lukas Ripley.

Chiefs: Kaleb Trask, Emoni Narawa, Rameka Poihipi, Quinn Tupaea, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Josh Ioane, Brad Weber (cc), Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane (cc), Samipeni Finau, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Josh Lord, Angus Ta’avao, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross.
Reserves: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, Atu Moli, Pita Gus Sowakula, Mitch Brown, Xavier Roe, Rivez Reihana, Inga Finau.

Neither team playing particularly well so far

How the farrkkk did the Chiefs not score there? It was 3 on one

The usual intercept try given away when they are down to 14. twas ever thus

Chiefs ahead 12-10 at HT.

Why are we so shit when we are a man up? Rebels given another 7 points

Ioane is so flakey. He has the odd great game, but otherwise it's a lottery.

How much more can you wrap than if your hands touch?

When are they going to improve the quality of the TMOs? Arms wrapped, chest hits ball-carrier's shoulder. How the fuck is that a yellow card?

He's a PR poster as well.

How the hell did we give away 21 points thru stupid errors and still win

Chiefs prevail 33-30.

Ollie Ollie Ollie oi oi oi!

Heading into work for my first shift in almost three months tonight... just over the border in the Waikato...


a golden opportunity missed here to really remind the crew of just how much they need me in these difficult times.

Enzedder wrote: Sun May 15, 2022 5:46 am He's a PR poster as well.

How the hell did we give away 21 points thru stupid errors and still win

I know (EF). A great escape and a brilliant time to score his first SR try.

Tupaea was very good again.

Hurricane expressing his appreciation to the crowd Andrew Mehrtens style.

Enjoyed this...

That was a great interview that I missed post-game (feed went missing)

The Crusaders' line up for the game against the Drua looks... interesting

Scott Barrett at 6????

Kiwias wrote: Thu May 19, 2022 6:32 am Scott Barrett at 6????

As a Saffer I approve. We like huge lumps for our blindside flankers. I know its not the NZ way to go for size over skill or mobility but I think the ABs would do well with a 3rd lock size forward as well. From what I've seen of Akira Ioane he just doesn't make a big enough impact at rucks and mauls.

FalseBayFC wrote: Thu May 19, 2022 6:40 am

Kiwias wrote: Thu May 19, 2022 6:32 am Scott Barrett at 6????

As a Saffer I approve. We like huge lumps for our blindside flankers. I know its not the NZ way to go for size over skill or mobility but I think the ABs would do well with a 3rd lock size forward as well. From what I've seen of Akira Ioane he just doesn't make a big enough impact at rucks and mauls.

That's what Hansen thought in the World Cup semi... and played Scott Barrett at 6... didn't work... though it wasn't all his fault... Kaino was the perfect 6 for us... big, very mobile and powerful... we shoulda cloned him...

Kiwias wrote: Thu May 19, 2022 6:32 am Scott Barrett at 6????

I reckon that's okay at Super Rugby level, despite the often frenetic pace.

Scooter gives it his all at test level in that position, but I think it's fairly proven that his best position there is at lock.

Grandpa wrote: Thu May 19, 2022 9:10 am

FalseBayFC wrote: Thu May 19, 2022 6:40 am

Kiwias wrote: Thu May 19, 2022 6:32 am Scott Barrett at 6????

As a Saffer I approve. We like huge lumps for our blindside flankers. I know its not the NZ way to go for size over skill or mobility but I think the ABs would do well with a 3rd lock size forward as well. From what I've seen of Akira Ioane he just doesn't make a big enough impact at rucks and mauls.

That's what Hansen thought in the World Cup semi... and played Scott Barrett at 6... didn't work... though it wasn't all his fault... Kaino was the perfect 6 for us... big, very mobile and powerful... we shoulda cloned him...

The England performance in the RWC 2019 semi final would have beaten the Boks' best in that tournament.

Most England fans will be too gracious to say it, but I can.

You boys may like to pass your eyes over the rest of the team if you can get over your Scooter love.

Guy Smiley wrote: Thu May 19, 2022 9:37 am You boys may like to pass your eyes over the rest of the team if you can get over your Scooter love.

Should still have too much firepower for a plucky Drua, even with the likes of Mo'unga and Jordan et al not playing.

Jimmy Smallsteps wrote: Thu May 19, 2022 9:52 am

Guy Smiley wrote: Thu May 19, 2022 9:37 am You boys may like to pass your eyes over the rest of the team if you can get over your Scooter love.

Should still have too much firepower for a plucky Drua, even with the likes of Mo'unga and Jordan et al not playing.

Obviously Razor has more coaching smarts than an entire rugby forum could muster.... so we trust he knows what he's up to. I do find it strange that after finally getting it together and playing with cohesion and decent skill levels for the last two games, on top of a season marked by sub par performance, poor skill levels and questionable decision making he swaps out most of the team either resting the key player(s) entirely, or throwing the others into unfamiliar positions with inexperienced team mates all around them... in a round that has a key bearing on finishing positions and finals' hosting privilege.

I hope he pulls it off. I don't share the complacency. Not this year.

I also think writing the Drua off is a mistake. They have the firepower to hurt. Give them a sniff and they'll be onto it like bleaching on a coral reef.

Kick off imminent

https://www.viprow.nu/crusaders-vs-fiji ... e-stream-3

https://www.vipbox.lc/crusaders-vs-fijian-drua-4-live


warning...

Marshall is on the mic.

6C and raining, welcome to Christchurch in winter.

Jimmy Smallsteps wrote: Thu May 19, 2022 9:33 am

Kiwias wrote: Thu May 19, 2022 6:32 am Scott Barrett at 6????

I reckon that's okay at Super Rugby level, despite the often frenetic pace.

Scooter gives it his all at test level in that position, but I think it's fairly proven that his best position there is at lock.

Yep, I am not casting aspersions on his efforts at 6 but he is just not a test 6, so I see bugger-all to be gained from playing him there in SR.

Quite impressed with Fergus Burke so far tonight.

Not so much with Reece, though.

I agree with your comment on Burke and wonder why Reece did not go for the line there.