The Silver Fern

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Chiefs 2026:

Wallaby Lalakai Foketi has sued Rugby Australia and the Waratahs for wrongful dismissal.
https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/12/12/ill-never-come-back-wallaby-sues-rugby-australia-after-crossing-the-ditch-to-join-rival-super-club/

I made the mistake of reading the comments under the article ... took me back to the trolling of the earlier days of the internet.

@No-Quarter said in Final - Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Canerbry said in Final - Crusaders v Chiefs:

It was pretty predictable really, target the playmaker as he is pertty much all of their attacking flair and also a notorious flake under pressure.

This has been a real problem for the ABs, both DMac and Mo'unga have been really flaky when the heat goes on, Mo'unga in particular has been a possum in the headlights on many occasions for the ABs. I think that's why the coaches have gone with Beauden so much, he makes errors etc, but he doesn't tend to get flustered when the opposition are trying to target him.

DMAc and BB have had so many chances (BB more so), and yet the same flaws remained. It makes it even more exasperating that they didn't at least try Plummer (you know, SR winning 10 Plummer) in the captain's seat once in a real game. Even the Bled dead rubber would have been a legitimate test.

@antipodean said in SF Chiefs v Brumbies:

@ACT-Crusader said in SF Chiefs v Brumbies:

Brumbies lineout has been poor.

And leniently ruled by Berry - a number of contested lineouts that should have been penalised he let play despite going to the outside shoulder.

On this, Murphy wasn't interested in calling some that were definitely not straight (in front of where I was sitting). It's interesting to hear what is said by the ARs, and often ignored by the ref.

@frugby said in QF Chiefs v Blues:

@Tim If Papalii put on 5kg, he could turn himself into a bastard of a blindside.

I always assumed long tern he'd be a 6 so was surprised when he specialised at 7, but I guess it was the best way for the Blues to keep their best loosies on the park.

@Bones said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:

@Bovidae said in Highlanders Vs Chiefs:

Apart from one botched kick when he slipped I thought that Roe was very good in this game. Obviously Ratima will start but Roe will be better for playing 80 mins.

That was quite funny, who was he yelling at as he went down?

I think he was just cursing himself.

@Bovidae said in Chiefs v Moana Pasifika:

I don't think that Carter's speed is an issue - he is quick. Decision-making going into contact is a work-on as he has been held up in the tackle a few times. If you want some chaos and unpredictability on attack, he is your man.

He is quick but I am not sure he is top end quick if that makes sense - but then again nor is Sevu Reece.

He did play a bit of half-back for the Bay last season but only towards the ends of games, not really enough evidence to know if he could do it at test level.

The rest of the conversation about who can win the competition continues here:
https://www.forum.thesilverfern.com/topic/6854/super-rugby-2025/819

Please keep the match threads on the match. Generic stuff can go in the main forum, new threads etc

There is a reason.. new features coming soon for the match threads

IMO I'm happy with the ref anouncing things like 'ruck' 'that's a maul' 'use it' but there should be no coaching. Takes me back to kiddies rugby, these guys are pros, the ref shouldn't be saying that.

As to thanking or praising players for pulling back from offending when told to do so by the ref - FFS

Ref coaching has been increasing massively. Ref should assess if it affects and penalise if it does.

Chiefs vs hurricanes next week is going to be interesting, hurricanes look to be getting back in form

@Canes4life said in Chiefs v Highlanders:

@Mr-Fish said in Chiefs v Highlanders:

Few big injury returnees for the Chiefs this week.

Sititi?

Lord, Trask too.

Teamwork

@Duluth thanks

Follow the NH club comps on instagram and their highlight tries almost always have comical defending involved.

@nzzp said in Chiefs v Blues:

@Machpants said in Chiefs v Blues:

That should be a points loss, disgusting

You can't ding the team for that. The individual should lose pitchside privileges for some time though - it's a muppet thing to do... twice!

The rot starts at the top: “We have co-operated fully with Sanzaar on this matter and accept responsibility for the technical breach and the outcome of this process,” Graafhuis said. “As this is an employment matter, we will not be making any further comment.”

What a great catch-all comment that is as practically everything can be considered an employment matter.

It was noticeable from about the 60min that the Chiefs were sucking in the big ones... I'd imagine the air would've been heavy in the humidity .. not an easy place to win

Other comment - Home ground advantage is basically +10 Fiji

@Bovidae said in Chiefs v Brumbies:

@gt12 said in Chiefs v Brumbies:

Mataele is a terrible signing for us.

The slowest Fijian winger I've seen live. He's only a WTG player and shouldn't be near the 23 once everyone is fit.

Weird to think he's still running round in NZ in 2025. He was destined for big things I feel at around 2018/19 but injuries have certainly caught up with him.

@Bovidae said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

Who was the final Chiefs captain in this game?

To answer my own question, it was ALB.

There will be yet another captain named today for the Brumbies game - Vaa'i.

@Frank said in Blues v Chiefs:

@Dan54 said in Blues v Chiefs:

Blues v Chiefs
4 - Naitoa Ah Kuoi (CHI)

AB contender but we are pretty flush at lock.

is he? Has appeal but is kind of a loosie/smaller lock crossover at AB level?

The returning ABs looked a little rusty at times, but I think all will start in Rd 1.

My guess is that the back three will be Carter, Narawa and ENS. The loose forwards Finau, Brown and Jacobson (Parker on the bench, as he has switched between 6 and 8 in the pre-season games). There are some decisions to be made at lock and in the front row, including the reserves. Maybe some of the missing players were just being rested.

There are a few try highlights on the Chiefs FB page.

@voodoo if anything it’s a compliment. a shit Richie McCaw > good Peter O’Mahony QED.

Cane showed the mouthy Irish git exactly that in the QF. He was immense that night, inviting reasonable comparison with the Incomparable. Takes some going to make the ludicrous a serious consideration, even for just a game.

Go well, Sam Cane. They asked the impossible of you: leave the jersey better than you found it. You failed gloriously, honourably. Coming up to the scratch over and over, seemingly undaunted by the heavy yolk of your responsibility. Unbowed by a broken neck, still less the critics’ ludicrous, invidious comparisons.

Each of the 99 times you toed the mark reducing the awful weight of that famous jersey for the next few men to shoulder.