NPR

Gumboot wrote: Sat Mar 29, 2025 7:02 pm

Hugo wrote: Sat Mar 29, 2025 6:11 pm In addition to the forward play, Pelligrini played a blinder. Outplayed his compatriot to be fair.

Yep, he's been a revelation. They weren't going to be competitive with Garden-Bachop running the cutter.

He was incredibly impressive, just getting better each week.

Kiwias wrote: Sat Mar 29, 2025 10:54 pm

Gumboot wrote: Sat Mar 29, 2025 7:02 pm

Hugo wrote: Sat Mar 29, 2025 6:11 pm In addition to the forward play, Pelligrini played a blinder. Outplayed his compatriot to be fair.

Yep, he's been a revelation. They weren't going to be competitive with Garden-Bachop running the cutter.

He was incredibly impressive, just getting better each week.

And still only 26 years old. He would've made a fine poach, if only he was eligible.

More good news, Beauden Barrett is back, declared fit for the game v Canes.

Hugo wrote: Thu Apr 03, 2025 7:58 pm More good news, Beauden Barrett is back, declared fit for the game v Canes.

You're a Canes supporter eh? Yep, good news for you.

Enzedder wrote: Thu Apr 03, 2025 8:49 pm

Hugo wrote: Thu Apr 03, 2025 7:58 pm More good news, Beauden Barrett is back, declared fit for the game v Canes.

You're a Canes supporter eh? Yep, good news for you.

I favour the Blues tbh.

Hugo wrote: Thu Apr 03, 2025 11:42 pm

Enzedder wrote: Thu Apr 03, 2025 8:49 pm

Hugo wrote: Thu Apr 03, 2025 7:58 pm More good news, Beauden Barrett is back, declared fit for the game v Canes.

You're a Canes supporter eh? Yep, good news for you.

I favour the Blues tbh.

I'm a Canes man who has watched the Blues games this year. The only times the Blues have looked any good at all , were the 3 halves that Barrett was running the cutter! I would of preferred him to come back next week.

Dan54 wrote: Fri Apr 04, 2025 2:46 am

Hugo wrote: Thu Apr 03, 2025 11:42 pm

Enzedder wrote: Thu Apr 03, 2025 8:49 pm

You're a Canes supporter eh? Yep, good news for you.

I favour the Blues tbh.

I'm a Canes man who has watched the Blues games this year. The only times the Blues have looked any good at all , were the 3 halves that Barrett was running the cutter! I would of preferred him to come back next week.

Yep, Beauden at least gives them a chance... but he hasn't played for a while, and the Blues are coming off a bye, so I wouldn't be surprised if they're a bit clunky this week. Kinda like most of their games so far. If they manage to click, chances are it'll be mostly down to Barrett.

Their top wings aren't exactly scoring loads of tries this year. Tele'a only has 2, and Clarke hasn't scored at all yet.

Top of the table clash coming up in Hamilton, with the no.2 Chiefs hosting the no.1 Reds.

Chiefs:
Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Daniel Rona, Quinn Tupaea, Leroy Carter, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima, Luke Jacobson (c), Jahrome Brown, Simon Parker, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, George Dyer, Brodie McAlister, Ollie Norris;
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Aidan Ross, Reuben O'Neill, Tupou Vaa'i, Samipeni Finau, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Gideon Wrampling

Reds:
Heremaia Murray, Lachie Anderson, Dre Pakeho, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tate McDermott (c), Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight, Joe Brial, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Canham, Jeffery Toomana-Allen, Matt Faessler, Alex Hodgman;
Reserves: Richie Asaita, Sef Fa'agase, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, John Bryant, Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Jock Campbell

Should be a tight one... and soggy - MetService is forecasting loads of rain.

Really like the look of the loose forward match-ups. With Vaa'i and Finau coming off the bench, the Chiefs might just sneak it.

Wet old night in the Tron tonight as the Reds bought their weather for a top of the table clash.




1. Ollie Norris
2. Brodie McAlister
3. George Dyer
4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi
5. Manaaki Selby-Rickit
6. Simon Parker
7. Jahrome Brown
8. Luke Jacobson (c)
9. Cortez Ratima
10. Damian McKenzie
11. Leroy Carter
12. Quinn Tupaea
13. Daniel Rona
14. Emoni Narawa
15. Shaun Stevenson

Subs:
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho
17. Aidan Ross
18. Reuben O’Neill
19. Tupou Vaa’i
20. Samipeni Finau
21. Xavier Roe
22. Josh Jacomb
23. Gideon Wrampling

Gallagher CHIEFS’ injury update ahead of Round 8
Anton Lienert-Brown, leg, short term
Josh Lord, knee, mid-term
Rameka Poihipi, knee, season
Kaleb Trask, hamstring, mid-term
Etene Nanai-Seturo, hamstring, long-term
Liam Coombes-Fabling, knee, mid-term
Wallace Sititi, knee, long-term



1. Alex Hodgman - Sunnybank – Mount Albert Grammar, Auckland – Suburbs RFC, Auck
2. Matt Faessler – Brothers – Toowoomba Grammar School – USQ Saints
3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen - Norths - Wellington College, NZ
4. Josh Canham – Bond University - Brighton Grammar, Melb - Harlequins RC, Melb
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – Souths – John Edmondson HS, Sydney
6. Joe Brial – University of Queensland – Scots College – Easts, Sydney
7. Fraser McReight (vc) – Brothers – Brisbane Grammar – Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson – Brothers – St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace – Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Tate McDermott (c) - University of Queensland - Sunshine Coast Grammar - Flinders RC
10. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips – Wests – Brisbane Boys’ College – Gunnedah Red Devils
11. Filipo Daugunu – Sunnybank - Dogotuki District School, Fiji
12. Hunter Paisami – Wests – Mangere College, Auckland
13. Dre Pakeho – Brothers – Anglican Church Grammar School
14. Lachie Anderson – University of Queensland - Oakhill College, Sydney – Dural RC, Sydney
15. Heremaia Murray - TBC – Auckland Grammar - Te Rarawa RC, NZ

Reserves:

16. Richie Asiata - Sunnybank – Anglican Church Grammar School
17. Sef Fa’agase - Sunnybank – Shailer Park State High – Beaudesert Warriors
18. Zane Nonggorr - Bond University – The Southport School – Gold Coast Eagles
19. Ryan Smith – Brothers – St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe – Caboolture Snakes
20. John Bryant - Souths - St Laurence’s College - Souths
21. Kalani Thomas – University of Queensland – Ipswich Grammar School - Souths
22. Tom Lynagh – University of Queensland – Epsom College – Richmond RC, UK
23. Jock Campbell – University of Queensland – The Southport School – Inverell Highlanders

Unavailable through injury: Josh Flook, Matt Gibbon, Frankie Goldsbrough, Mason Gordon, Isaac Henry, Will McCulloch, Josh Nasser, Liam Wright

Officials



Will be invisible Friday (hopefully)

Referee: Nic Berry

Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Angus Mabey

TMO: Brett Cronan

10-all at HT.

Absolutely pissing down now and Reds get a somewhat fluky try right on halftime. Good chase by Brial though

FFS, that long to get that incident reviewed.

Well that was dumb: going for the long miss pass to a man marked on the touchline.

Reds offside at every ruck in the build up.

I'd lost count of the number of visits to the Reds 22m without points then finally the maul works.

Chiefs up 20 - 10 and 8 mins left

Good win to the Chiefs 27-15 in difficult conditions. Controlled much of the second half. Bloody good defence by the Reds tbf.

Harder than I thought it would be - those 2 defences really worked well in the rain.

Man, we were weak in midfield though with Rona getting injured early and ALB absent injured.

Jacobson showing some real form right now at No, 8

I get more impressed with Vaií every time I see him these days, he in my opinion is best lock running around in NZ teams!

Dan54 wrote: Fri Apr 04, 2025 7:16 pm I get more impressed with Vaií every time I see him these days, he in my opinion is best lock running around in NZ teams!

Couldn't agree more.


Completely forgot about today's early game...

Moana Pasifika trailing the Tahs 7-21 in Albany, early in the second half.

Havilis grubber.

The game is amazing — MP 26 - 28 Tahs with 17 mins to go.

Hugo wrote: Sat Apr 05, 2025 2:30 am Havilis grubber.

That was a thing of beauty

MP are now playing the way they did last week — precision, pace, power, width. Damned hard to stop

MP playing like a champion team. *Hope I don't jinx them*

Another delightful little grubber for another try to MP

36 - 28 lead now

This is great fun!

Suddenly, last week’s loss makes a lot more sense.

Great stuff, MP!

That's two on the bounce... and two consecutive losses to the Tahs.

Kiwias wrote: Sat Apr 05, 2025 2:46 am Suddenly, last week’s loss makes a lot more sense.

Feeling nervous about the Drua at home today, mate?

Gumboot wrote: Sat Apr 05, 2025 2:50 am

Kiwias wrote: Sat Apr 05, 2025 2:46 am Suddenly, last week’s loss makes a lot more sense.

Feeling nervous about the Drua at home today, mate?

Hell, yes, but you gotta believe in the lads. They’ll do the job today

Kiwias wrote: Sat Apr 05, 2025 2:33 am MP are now playing the way they did last week — precision, pace, power, width. Damned hard to stop

They are on a roll. Definitely in with a shout of the finals.

Gumboot wrote: Sat Apr 05, 2025 2:50 am

Kiwias wrote: Sat Apr 05, 2025 2:46 am Suddenly, last week’s loss makes a lot more sense.

Feeling nervous about the Drua at home today, mate?

It's time we got a win there to be honest, 3rd straight year playing over there and no wins to show for it yet.

Guy Smiley wrote: Sat Apr 05, 2025 2:54 am

Gumboot wrote: Sat Apr 05, 2025 2:50 am

Kiwias wrote: Sat Apr 05, 2025 2:46 am Suddenly, last week’s loss makes a lot more sense.

Feeling nervous about the Drua at home today, mate?

It's time we got a win there to be honest, 3rd straight year playing over there and no wins to show for it yet.

It'll be tough - it always is for visitors in the heat. And the Fijian crowds are the best in the business.

Can't help feeling the Saders are in for another tough day.

Gumboot wrote: Sat Apr 05, 2025 2:59 am
Can't help feeling the Saders are in for another tough day.

Yup, absolutely. It'll be interesting to see how Reece goes playing centre alongside the giraffe like Mcleod. Nice to see Kemara is back in the team too along with Codie Taylor. The Saders are going through some selection inconsistencies, I hope they can settle in and get the job done.

Guy Smiley wrote: Sat Apr 05, 2025 3:05 am

Gumboot wrote: Sat Apr 05, 2025 2:59 am
Can't help feeling the Saders are in for another tough day.

Yup, absolutely. It'll be interesting to see how Reece goes playing centre alongside the giraffe like Mcleod. Nice to see Kemara is back in the team too along with Codie Taylor. The Saders are going through some selection inconsistencies, I hope they can settle in and get the job done.

Yeah, Reece at centre will be fascinating.

I expect Penney will have given the pack a rocket after last week, so hoping for a much better effort up front.

The Saders jerseys are awesome, great homage to the hosts.

One of those schoolkids was bigger than the player he ran out with

Well done Jordan staying on his feet.

I think my stream is giving me the Stan feed and the commentary must be just about the worst I've ever heard... these clowns won't shut up. The ref is doing plenty of talking but these cunce just foghorn right over it all.

Saders have a very handy 17-0 lead at HT.

They should run away with it from here, but... I'm picking a good old fashioned game of two halves.

Gumboot wrote: Sat Apr 05, 2025 4:24 am Saders have a very handy 17-0 lead at HT.

They should run away with it from here, but... I'm picking a good old fashioned game of two halves.

Taylor looks gassed, wouldn't be surprised to see Moanunu take over. The Saders look composed and it's just handling errors really letting them down. Both teams suffering from that though.