NPR

Gumboot wrote: Sat May 28, 2022 10:10 am Segner off early with what looks like a serious ankle injury.

He fell very clumsily

Pretty sure that would be a yellow against Hooper in the north... I would have thought a penalty at least?

Awful game... nothing seems to be happening...

Two YCs now and Blues down to 13

Blues 9 is awful, very Ben Youngs like

ASMO wrote: Sat May 28, 2022 10:31 am Blues 9 is awful, very Ben Youngs like

Very much the second string to Christie

What a defensive scrum from the 6-man Blues pack!

Gumboot wrote: Sat May 28, 2022 10:33 am What a defensive scrum from the 6-man Blues pack!

It looked as if Tua the centre had joined in the back row but it was a huge play

Kiwias wrote: Sat May 28, 2022 10:35 am

Gumboot wrote: Sat May 28, 2022 10:33 am What a defensive scrum from the 6-man Blues pack!

It looked as if Tua the centre had joined in the back row

Ah OK, impressive all the same. Romano: "Don't give up! Don't give up!"

ASMO wrote: Sat May 28, 2022 10:31 am Blues 9 is awful, very Ben Youngs like

Eddie on phone already to check on his grannies.

Blues leading 3-0 at HT. Tough watch so far.

Gumboot wrote: Sat May 28, 2022 10:35 am

Kiwias wrote: Sat May 28, 2022 10:35 am

Gumboot wrote: Sat May 28, 2022 10:33 am What a defensive scrum from the 6-man Blues pack!

It looked as if Tua the centre had joined in the back row

Ah OK, impressive all the same. Romano: "Don't give up! Don't give up!"

Very impressive. I must admit that it still looks odd to see Luke captaining the Blues.

Thats gonna sting for the Tah's, losing to a second string side.

That was some droppie by Sullivan. He looks good at first receiver btw.

FM. Just back in and saw the MP result. Must be shock of the season.

If Mounga gets injured at the RWC, the ABs are in a whole heap of trouble.

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sat May 28, 2022 1:34 pm If Mounga gets injured at the RWC, the ABs are in a whole heap of trouble.

I just don’t think we’ve got the squad this time around.

I’m struggling to see an outcome other than your boys winning it. The stars have finally aligned for the Franch.

Ymx wrote: Sat May 28, 2022 1:37 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sat May 28, 2022 1:34 pm If Mounga gets injured at the RWC, the ABs are in a whole heap of trouble.

I just don’t think we’ve got the squad this time around.

I’m struggling to see an outcome other than your boys winning it. The stars have finally aligned for the Franch.

They'll find some way to screw it up! FH selection is a massive problem for France too. Probably end up with the Paddies or Safas winning it.

This is every bit the bad old Canes.

Usual Canes whining at the ref at the end when their own laziness and ineptitude was the cause of their downfall.

Ymx wrote: Sat May 28, 2022 1:37 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sat May 28, 2022 1:34 pm If Mounga gets injured at the RWC, the ABs are in a whole heap of trouble.

I just don’t think we’ve got the squad this time around.

I’m struggling to see an outcome other than your boys winning it. The stars have finally aligned for the Franch.

Stephen Donald did OK. I am sure A-Crude could do something similar. Does he still play?

Ymx wrote: Sat May 28, 2022 1:37 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sat May 28, 2022 1:34 pm If Mounga gets injured at the RWC, the ABs are in a whole heap of trouble.

I just don’t think we’ve got the squad this time around.

I’m struggling to see an outcome other than your boys winning it. The stars have finally aligned for the Franch.

We don't have the coach to do it and the squad is his to build.

I think a few of us mentioned this in the thread on AB prospects... that we need at least another likely 10 added to the squad. My pick is Perofeta but the last two weeks have me thinking Fergus Bourke might just be pushing for a spot as well.

Yep. The dire coach being the biggest issue. Can’t wait til he’s gone.

I struggle to get enthusiastic about “Fosters ABs” now.

I shudder at the phrase.

Rebels vs Highlanders kicking off in about 10 minutes.

Make or break for the Highlanders - they need at least a draw to make the play-offs ahead of the Force.


Rebels: 1-Matt Gibbon, 2-Jordan Uelese, 3-Pone Fa'amausili, 4-Matt Philip, 5-Josh Canham, 6-Michael Wells (c), 7-Brad Wilkin, 8-Rob Leota, 9-James Tuttle, 10-Carter Gordon, 11-Glen Vaihu, 12-Matt To'omua, 13-Andrew Kellaway, 14-Lukas Ripley, 15-Reece Hodge
Reserves: 16-James Hanson, 17-Cameron Orr, 18-Cabous Eloff, 19-Ross Haylett-Petty, 20-Richard Hardwick, 21-Joe Powell, 22-Nick Jooste, 23-George Worth

Highlanders: 1-Ethan de Groot, 2-Andrew Makalio, 3-Jermaine Ainsley, 4-Bryn Evans, 5-Josh Dickson, 6-James Lentjes, 7-Billy Harmon, 8-Marino Makaele-Tu'u, 9-Aaron Smith (c), 10-Marty Banks, 11-Rory van Vugt, 12-Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 13-Josh Timu, 14-Fetuli Paea, 15-Liam Coombes-Fabling
Reserves: 16- Rhys Marshall, 17-Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18-Saula Mau, 19-Sam Caird, 20-Hugh Renton, 21-Folau Fakatava, 22-Vilimoni Koroi, 23-Denny Solomona

Really pleased that Brown has gone with Marty Banks at 10 in this do-or-die match.

Kiwias wrote: Sun May 29, 2022 4:06 am Really pleased that Brown has gone with Marty Banks at 10 in this do-or-die match.

No idea what's going on with Mitch Hunt, but Sam Gilbert was definitely unavailable for selection.

Gumboot wrote: Sun May 29, 2022 4:16 am

Kiwias wrote: Sun May 29, 2022 4:06 am Really pleased that Brown has gone with Marty Banks at 10 in this do-or-die match.

No idea what's going on with Mitch Hunt, but Sam Gilbert was definitely unavailable for selection.

Hunt has been the most disappointing player of the season for me. He never looked a shadow of the very decent player he was at the Crusaders.

Kiwias wrote: Sun May 29, 2022 4:24 am

Gumboot wrote: Sun May 29, 2022 4:16 am

Kiwias wrote: Sun May 29, 2022 4:06 am Really pleased that Brown has gone with Marty Banks at 10 in this do-or-die match.

No idea what's going on with Mitch Hunt, but Sam Gilbert was definitely unavailable for selection.

Hunt has been the most disappointing player of the season for me. He never looked a shadow of the very decent player he was at the Crusaders.

Yep, his form's been going backwards this year.

de Groot's ball security's been poor so far.

Highlanders ahead 18-14 at HT. Once again, they've blown so many scoring chances close to the line. Story of their season.

Gumboot wrote: Sun May 29, 2022 4:52 am Highlanders ahead 18-14 at HT. Once again, they've blown so many scoring chances close to the line. Story of their season.

Keep this up and their ko hopes are over.

Noooo!

Carn Landers!!!

Landers 14 is a headless chicken in defence. Utterly clueless.

Also, this really ought to be the end of Smith starting. Landers so much more dangerous with Fakatava on.

Meantime Landers trying out suicide with dim rugby in the wrong part of the field.

Rebels end up doing the Landers a favour.

Force will be gutted.

Great win to the Rebels.

Good to see a win for the good guys.

So, this is how it’s shaping

Razor has named possibly his strongest 23 for the quarter-final on Friday.

Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Pablo Matera, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett (captain), Oli Jager, Codie Taylor, George Bower.

Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Finlay Brewis, Fletcher Newell, Zach Gallagher, Tom Christie, Mitch Drummond, Braydon Ennor, George Bridge.

What if Mo'unga goes down with a serious injury in the first 20 minutes?

Guy Smiley wrote: Wed Jun 01, 2022 7:27 am What if Mo'unga goes down with a serious injury in the first 20 minutes?

David Havili will take over?