Super Rugby 2025
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Tonga to the ABs could be accurate though?
Alatini played for Tonga first but I'm not sure if he was capped
@Duluth said in Super Rugby 2025:
Tonga to the ABs could be accurate though?
Alatini played for Tonga first but I'm not sure if he was capped
I think it was Pita's brother (?) Sam who played v Samoa in 1995, so Pita was not capped by Tonga. (He may have been a junior U19 rep, and/or a Tongan rep at a minor sevens tournament though).
But Emosi Koloto played a test for Tonga in 1986, and was grabbed by New Zealand 7's the year after - and then went on to represent New Zealand at Rugby League.
So, there is a precedent for a capped Tongan switching to New Zealand.
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@Bovidae said in Super Rugby 2025:
1 v 2 coming up on Friday.
And 3rd v bottom. And after the saders last payed the bottom tam, does anyone see them winning against the Drua?
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Well I've unsubscribed (feed in youtube) to the Aotearoa Rugby Pod. Last weeks 'Ioane is playng excellently, form 13 in NZ' has been added to with 'Scott Barrett's form has not dipped' this week. I'm happy with a bit of bias, but man they are rose tinted spectacles ATM.
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Well I've unsubscribed (feed in youtube) to the Aotearoa Rugby Pod. Last weeks 'Ioane is playng excellently, form 13 in NZ' has been added to with 'Scott Barrett's form has not dipped' this week. I'm happy with a bit of bias, but man they are rose tinted spectacles ATM.
@Machpants said in Super Rugby 2025:
Well I've unsubscribed (feed in youtube) to the Aotearoa Rugby Pod. Last weeks 'Ioane is playng excellently, form 13 in NZ' has been added to with 'Scott Barrett's form has not dipped' this week. I'm happy with a bit of bias, but man they are rose tinted spectacles ATM.
We all know how hard it is to win in Fiji. Looks like it's going to be raining and 30 degress on Saturday so the ball will be like a bar of soap. The Crusader's loosies will definitely need to step up in this one.
One thing going for the Crusaders is that they are playing in Suva and not Lautoka where the Drua have a vastly better record.
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Well I've unsubscribed (feed in youtube) to the Aotearoa Rugby Pod. Last weeks 'Ioane is playng excellently, form 13 in NZ' has been added to with 'Scott Barrett's form has not dipped' this week. I'm happy with a bit of bias, but man they are rose tinted spectacles ATM.
@Machpants said in Super Rugby 2025:
'Scott Barrett's form has not dipped
TBF, that's a true statement, he's remained consistently shit.
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The ARP was fluff this week, apart from the interview with Ben Tameifuna. Parsons and Hall refuse to criticise any player and they spent far too long talking about Mo'unga.
@Bovidae said in Super Rugby 2025:
The ARP was fluff this week, apart from the interview with Ben Tameifuna. Parsons and Hall refuse to criticise any player and they spent far too long talking about Mo'unga.
I really enjoyed the show last year but Hall keeps reverting everything back to the Crusaders. Parson's provides great insight about the game but is still mates with a lot of players so never really has a bad word to say. We need a show that provides honesty.
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@Bovidae said in Super Rugby 2025:
The ARP was fluff this week, apart from the interview with Ben Tameifuna. Parsons and Hall refuse to criticise any player and they spent far too long talking about Mo'unga.
I really enjoyed the show last year but Hall keeps reverting everything back to the Crusaders. Parson's provides great insight about the game but is still mates with a lot of players so never really has a bad word to say. We need a show that provides honesty.
@Canes4life yeah if you can get Parsons to talk on about the game and not focus on his ex-team, he provides some great insights.
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That show is much better when they talk strategy and tactics, rather than about players. I’m a pretty avid listener but I’ll give it a skip this week.
Edit: if Ross Karl is a lurker here, please consider this consumer feedback.
@gt12 said in Super Rugby 2025:
That show is much better when they talk strategy and tactics, rather than about players. I’m a pretty avid listener but I’ll give it a skip this week.
Edit: if Ross Karl is a lurker here, please consider this consumer feedback.
Quoted for truth
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For all you stats buffs out there, this very well put together article by Rugby Pass highlights why Super Rugby has been a 'cut above' this year compared to other comps around the world.
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Just an odd note.
We are 8 weeks into the super rugby season and the Highlanders are the only NZ side(not including Moana as an NZ side) to have played in Australia, tonight will be their 3rd game there.
I’m not saying this is a direct reflection of the results, but I do think it’s an odd way to schedule a comp by those who plan it out. It should make for a very interesting end of the season once other NZ sides start their Aussie tours.
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The time restrictions are having an effect.
Super Rugby Pacific – Shape of Game Metrics
Game Length (excluding half-time): 1h29m28s (2025), 1h31m7s (2024)
Static Time (excluding half-time): 54m51s (2025), 56m04s (2024)
Penalty Kick Time: 40s (2025), 1m8s (2024)
Conversion Kick Time: 55s (2025), 1m9s (2024)
Scrums (mark to “crouch”): 26s (2025), 45s (2024)
Lineout (mark to formed): 17s (2025), 25s (2024)
Points per game: 61 (2025), 53.7 (2024)
Tries per game: 8.8 (2025), 7.3 (2024)
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MVP Voting at mid point
Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year voting
22 – Ardie Savea [MOA]
21 –Tom Hooper [BRU]
19 – Timoci Tavatavanawai [HIG], Carlo Tizzano [FOR]
16- Damian McKenzie [CHI]
13 – Will Jordan [CRU], Peter Lakai [HUR], Patrick Pellegrini [MOA], Harry Wilson [RED], Caleb Tangitau [HIG]
12 – Cam Roigard [HUR], Jeremy Williams [FOR], Kini Naholo [HUR], Langi Gleeson [WAR], Mac Grealy [FOR]
11 – Sevu Reece [CRU], Jona Nareki [HIG], Harry Godfrey [HUR], Darcy Swain [FOR], Angus Bell [WAR], Mark Telea [BLU], Vuate Karawalevu [DRU]
10 – Elia Canakaivata [DRU], Du’Plessis Kirifi [HUR], Christian Lio-Willie [CRU], Charlie Cale [BRU], Beauden Barrett [BLU], Filipo Daugunu [RED], Fraser McReight [RED], Nathan Hastie [HIG], Patrick Tuipulotu [BLU], Quinn Tupaea [CHI], Tupou Vaa’i [CHI]
9 – Tate McDermott [RED], Ben Donaldson [FOR], Allan Alaalatoa [BRU], Motikiai Murray [DRU], Naitoa Ah Kuoi [CHI]
8 – Ponipate Loganimasi [DRU], Miracle Faiilagi [MOA], Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula [DRU], Dalton Papali’I [BLU], Andy Muirhead [BRU], Max Jorgensen [WAR]
7 – David Havili [CRU], David Porecki [WAR], Harry Potter [FOR], Kyle Preston [CRU], Kyren Taumoefolau [MOA]
6 – Teddy Wilson [WAR], Taniela Tele’a [HIG], Simon Parker [CHI], Nic White [FOR], Meli Derenalagi [DRU], Luke Reimer [BRU], Macca Springer [CRU], Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii [WAR], Joseva Tamani [DRU], Ioane Moananu [CRU], Heremaia Murray [RED], Fatafehi Fineanganofo [HUR], Finley Christie [BLU], Finn Hurley [HIG], Emoni Narawa [CHI], Ethan Blackadder [CRU], Cam Christie [BLU], Bailyn Sullivan [HUR], AJ Lam [BLU], Alex Hodgman [RED]
5 – Brayden Iose [HUR], Charlie Gamble [WAR], Etonia Waqa [DRU], Jackson Garden-Bachop [MOA], Luke Jacobson [CHI], Nic Dolly [FOR], Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa [MOA], Seru Uru [RED], Shaun Stevenson [CHI], Tom Lynagh [RED], Tom Wright [BRU], Veveni Lasaqa [HIG], Xavi Taele [BLU], Noah Hotham [CRU], Iosefo Masi [DRU]
4 – Joe Brial [RED], Josh Canham [RED], Triston Reilly [WAR], Tevita Ikanivere [DRU], Sione Havili Talitui [MOA], Sean Withy [HIG], Len Ikitau [BRU], Leroy Carter [CHI], Jonathan Taumateine [MOA], Lalomilo Lalomilo [MOA], Corey Toole [BRU], Harrison Goddard [BRU], Hoskins Sotutu [BLU]
3 – Andrew Kellaway [WAR], Caleb Clarke [BLU], Chay Fihaki [CRU], Declan Meredith [BRU], Folau Fakatava [HIG], Harry Plummer [BLU], Hugh Sinclair [WAR], Jahrome Brown [CHI], Jake Gordon [WAR], Joey Walton [WAR], Kaylum Boshier [CHI], Lachie Anderson [RED], Lawson Creighton [WAR], Nic Frost [BRU], Rieko Ioane [BLU], Rory Scott [BRU], Samipeni Finau [CHI], Simione Kuruvoli [DRU], Siosifa Amone [WAR], Soane Mikaele Vikena [HIG], Tamaiti Williams [CRU], Tane Edmed [WAR], Feleti Sa’e-Ta’ufo’ou [MOA], Vaiolini Ekuasi [FOR], Matt Faessler [RED]
2 – Brandon Paenga-Amosa [FOR], Selestino Ravutaumada [DRU], Isaia Walker-Leawere [HUR], Will Harris [FOR], William Havili [MOA], Ryan Lonergan [BRU], Ricky Riccitelli [BLU], Nick Champion De Crespigny [FOR], Kurt Eklund [BLU], Josh Flook [RED], Josh Jacomb [CHI], Julian Heaven [NSW], Jacob Devery [HUR], Isoa Nasilasila [DRU], Hunter Paisami [RED], Hamish Stewart [FOR], Dylan Pietsch [FOR], Chris Apoua [MOA], Codie Taylor [CRU], Danny Toala [MOA], Cam Suafoa [BLU], Ben Grant [WAR], Brad Shields [HUR], Anton Lienert-Brown [CHI], Anton Segner [BLU], Antonio Shalfoon [CRU], Fletcher Anderson [CRU]
1 – Allan Craig [MOA], Asafo Aumua [HUR], Caleb Delaney [HUR], Fabian Holland [HIG], Frank Lomani [DRU], Ilaisa Droasese [DRU], James Slipper [BRU], Kalani Thomas [RED], Marcel Renata [BLU], Max Burey [FOR], Mesake Vocevoce [DRU], Mesulame Dolokoto [DRU], Mitch Dunshea [HIG], Rob Valetini [BRU], Ryan Smith [RED], Sio Tomkinson [FOR], TK Howden [HIG], Tom Savage [MOA], Tuidraki Samusamuvodre [DRU], Xavier Numia [HUR], Taha Kemara [CRU], Sam Slade [MOA], Ethan de Groot [HIG]
