Super Rugby 2026
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@ploughboy said in Super Rugby 2026:
counties is part of the chiefs so Wesley is not outside
That would explain his population error too
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So many mistakes and typos (Fita and Hayden Sa?) in that article. Using where players first went to school is also convenient to have a dig at the Chiefs.
A better analysis would be using SR U18 representation as some players are schooled outside their home region but committed to their local PU.
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@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2026:
@SouthernMann said in Super Rugby 2026:
Few predictions heading into the year
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MP to take the loss have Savea hard. Last.
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Crusaders to dominate the competition once again. Final to be held at the new Christchurch stadium.
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Blues to miss the playoffs.
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Highlanders to win more than they lose.
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Two Aussie sides to make the top 6.
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If Zac Lomax comes across, he will be one of the top try scorers. With Kyren Taumoefolau and Tangitau up in the top 4.
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Riley Higgins' injury woes continue. Sadly.
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Nathan Hastie plays his way into Wallabies contention.
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Samipeni Finau squashes at least four first fives.
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George Bell is the standout starting hooker. Codie Taylor's time is primarily managed from the bench.
Just some random thoughts by watching some bazball
Fk right off pal.
Yeah listen to the bloke, trying to say that the Blues won't make the playoffs! The disrespect!
That's what you were talking about right?
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@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2026:
@SouthernMann said in Super Rugby 2026:
Few predictions heading into the year
-
MP to take the loss have Savea hard. Last.
-
Crusaders to dominate the competition once again. Final to be held at the new Christchurch stadium.
-
Blues to miss the playoffs.
-
Highlanders to win more than they lose.
-
Two Aussie sides to make the top 6.
-
If Zac Lomax comes across, he will be one of the top try scorers. With Kyren Taumoefolau and Tangitau up in the top 4.
-
Riley Higgins' injury woes continue. Sadly.
-
Nathan Hastie plays his way into Wallabies contention.
-
Samipeni Finau squashes at least four first fives.
-
George Bell is the standout starting hooker. Codie Taylor's time is primarily managed from the bench.
Just some random thoughts by watching some bazball
Fk right off pal.
We all want FAB Riley Higgins on the field. The country needs him. Jackson street needs a new addition to its Walk of Champions too. Just going off previous seasons, he doesn't have a strong history of playing full campaigns.
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@SouthernMann said in Super Rugby 2026:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2026:
@SouthernMann said in Super Rugby 2026:
Few predictions heading into the year
-
MP to take the loss have Savea hard. Last.
-
Crusaders to dominate the competition once again. Final to be held at the new Christchurch stadium.
-
Blues to miss the playoffs.
-
Highlanders to win more than they lose.
-
Two Aussie sides to make the top 6.
-
If Zac Lomax comes across, he will be one of the top try scorers. With Kyren Taumoefolau and Tangitau up in the top 4.
-
Riley Higgins' injury woes continue. Sadly.
-
Nathan Hastie plays his way into Wallabies contention.
-
Samipeni Finau squashes at least four first fives.
-
George Bell is the standout starting hooker. Codie Taylor's time is primarily managed from the bench.
Just some random thoughts by watching some bazball
Fk right off pal.
We all want FAB Riley Higgins on the field. The country needs him. Jackson street needs a new addition to its Walk of Champions too. Just going off previous seasons, he doesn't have a strong history of playing full campaigns.
This is the year of Riley, he’s primed for a big season. Injuries will be a distant memory for him.
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@Bones said in Super Rugby 2026:
"Higgins revealed as marquee signing for R360, hoping to be fit to play by 2028"
Lets be honest, the bloke will be playing for Wales sooner rather than later.
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@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2026:
This is the year of Riley, he’s primed for a big season.
And I've never heard that before...
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@nostrildamus said in Super Rugby 2026:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2026:
This is the year of Riley, he’s primed for a big season.
And I've never heard that before...
Every year. Then he gets injured.
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@SouthernMann said in Super Rugby 2026:
@nostrildamus said in Super Rugby 2026:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2026:
This is the year of Riley, he’s primed for a big season.
And I've never heard that before...
Every year. Then he gets injured.
You’re talking like he’s been around forever.
2025 was the year he was talked up big time because Jordie was in Ireland and we were finally going to see Higgins get a good run at the next level after looking like a cheat code in the NPC. (Similar to Pledger this year). Unfortunately he got injured and Jordie’s now back.
Higgins showed even with a handful of appearances last year that he’s destined to do very well at Super level as well and will push for higher honours, let’s hope he stays on. the park.
Oh and he’s definitely not going to Wales.
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@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2026:
@SouthernMann said in Super Rugby 2026:
@nostrildamus said in Super Rugby 2026:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2026:
This is the year of Riley, he’s primed for a big season.
And I've never heard that before...
Every year. Then he gets injured.
You’re talking like he’s been around forever.
2025 was the year he was talked up big time because Jordie was in Ireland and we were finally going to see Higgins get a good run at the next level after looking like a cheat code in the NPC. (Similar to Pledger this year). Unfortunately he got injured and Jordie’s now back.
Higgins showed even with a handful of appearances last year that he’s destined to do very well at Super level as well and will push for higher honours, let’s hope he stays on. the park.
Oh and he’s definitely not going to Wales.
I certainly hope he stays on the park. Petone, Lower Hutt, Wellington, the Canes and NZ as a whole needs a fit and firing messiah.
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@SouthernMann said in Super Rugby 2026:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2026:
@SouthernMann said in Super Rugby 2026:
@nostrildamus said in Super Rugby 2026:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2026:
This is the year of Riley, he’s primed for a big season.
And I've never heard that before...
Every year. Then he gets injured.
You’re talking like he’s been around forever.
2025 was the year he was talked up big time because Jordie was in Ireland and we were finally going to see Higgins get a good run at the next level after looking like a cheat code in the NPC. (Similar to Pledger this year). Unfortunately he got injured and Jordie’s now back.
Higgins showed even with a handful of appearances last year that he’s destined to do very well at Super level as well and will push for higher honours, let’s hope he stays on. the park.
Oh and he’s definitely not going to Wales.
I certainly hope he stays on the park. Petone, Lower Hutt, Wellington, the Canes and NZ as a whole needs a fit and firing messiah.
All going well he'll largely only play for the latter two going forward.
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@Canes4life was that one of the years he was used on the wing also?
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@Bones said in Super Rugby 2026:
@Canes4life was that one of the years he was used on the wing also?
A Holland special was it? I vaguely remember that.
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@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2026:
@Bones said in Super Rugby 2026:
@Canes4life was that one of the years he was used on the wing also?
A Holland special was it? I vaguely remember that.
Sounds like a very invaluable midfielder that's using cheat code then eh...
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@Bones said in Super Rugby 2026:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2026:
@Bones said in Super Rugby 2026:
@Canes4life was that one of the years he was used on the wing also?
A Holland special was it? I vaguely remember that.
Sounds like a very invaluable midfielder that's using cheat code then eh...
Pffffft. On the wing, in the midfield, with finishes like the below, the guy can play anywhere. #cheatcode
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@Duluth said in Super Rugby 2026:
Van Royen makes the mistake of talking about he population and assuming the Blues have a huge advantage.
The Chiefs region is more populated than people think
2019 population numbers for the franchises:
Region Population Blues 1.396m Chiefs 1.333m Hurricanes 1.019m Crusaders 0.797m Highlanders 0.337m He should make the point about the schools comp attracting outside talent instead
I do think there is an issue with franchise distribution though. 40% of contracts being in the SI and 20% being in Dunedin isn't a good spread
Might not be good for the players - but what about the fans?
The Highlanders certainly used to have the best average crowd (and possibly still do)
The Blues struggle to get a crowd to match their population with one team, so why chuck another team up there. The crowds Moana get are poor.
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Some buzz around Jeneriro Wakeham. He is a 2.08 m/140 kg lock who was signed by Stade Français as a teenager and then played for Pro D2 side Stade Niçois and RFU Championship club Ealing Trailfinders. Also involved in the NFL International Player Pathway training camp last year.
A few others will NZ school/PU connections.
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@frugby said in Super Rugby 2026:
Might not be good for the players - but what about the fans?
You are taking a very narrow view of 'fans'. Of course it's good for fans in Dunedin to have a subsidised team. Is the current situation good for fans in Tauranga? They produce plenty of players have a population 150% that of Dunedin but they get pro rugby scraps
I think there should be more teams and the larger ones should be broken up. There should be more opportunities for players to play close to their home.. that makes for a more tribal competition with more interest.
