The Silver Fern

Looking at the TV team, Liam Pratt was their starting LH prop. He was named in the original Harlequins squad.

PNBHS now has the Moascar Cup, the first time since 1985. That will mean it will have to be defended in the Hurricanes Top 4 playoffs.

@NTA said in Wallabies vs Lions III:

Recently they had a weather-affected game in the USA vs England I believe?

It also happened last week in the Aust-Wales women's test in Brisbane where they left the field.

@NTA said in Wallabies vs Lions III:

Lol Curry thinks Beirne can't handle White by himself

Curry has been involved in too much of the pushing/shoving.

BTW, Kiwi Richard Kelly is the TMO that has ignored the Sheehan "clean out".

@taniwharugby said in Taranaki v Northland:

Wtf RR

Reihana was poor compared to Jacomb.

The win might have come at a cost for Taranaki.

I'd like to see him get more involved but Fiti Sa looks much more physical this year as a ball-carrier.

@Steven-Harris said in Southland v Otago:

Head contacts in the Npc viewed in a different light compared to other levels of rugby

TUJ caused Withy to collide with Timu's head by cleaning him into Timu's path.

I went to this corresponding fixture last year and it was a close game. Not the strongest Harlequins team available so maybe Thames Valley are in for a tough season compared to the highs of 2024.

@Grooter said in Wellington v Canterbury:

Love hasn't blown me away so far today

He needs to do away with the Campese-style goose step. Very predictable.

Super 8 - final
Palmerston North BHS 25 - 24 Rotorua BHS

It seems that Jamie Viljoen got a penalty in added time to win it. That will be their first title in a long time.

CNI - SFs
St Peter’s Cambridge 29 - 10 Wesley College
Feilding High School 29 - 20 Lindisfarne College

@WoodysRFC said in Chiefs 2026:

@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2026:

So there might be room for a new midfield back.

Foketi, right? Wrampling has signed on for another season.

Foketi will be ALB's replacement. If Gibbes and co want a fifth midfield option another will be needed. Gibson Popoali'i was part of the wider squad.

Otherwise, get Hake Wiseman in the environment.

He will be one of the NDC players but too early to make the step up.

@WoodysRFC said in Northern Region Representative Rugby 2025:

Is there any connection to the UK Harlequins?

I'm not sure. The BOP equivalent are Wasps.

https://www.sporty.co.nz/nzharlequinsrugbyclub

There are a couple of articles in the newspaper today. One from Paul Cully says that Sky and TVNZ will be sharing broadcasting rights from 2026, so there will be FTA coverage. This agreement is well advanced and unlikely to change after Sky's acquisition of Three. This will also mean a reduction in the value of the broadcasting deal from Sky but should allow more eyes on games, presumably with ads. There is also a mention of making SR clubs declare by the end of the season who has been signed for the following year and how many contracts are available for NPC players.

The second article is more about the future of the NPC including the movement to smaller grounds to reduce match-day costs. Obviously there is only a limited number of afternoon slots available for grounds without adequate lighting.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360776605/work-be-done-new-zealand-rugbys-steve-lancaster-bullish-about-npc

So there might be room for a new midfield back.

Is Aisake Vakasiuola now injured?

Playing Thames Valley today.

@MacDazzler said in Manawatu v North Harbour:

@Bovidae A big blow for Manawatu losing Jamie Viljoen the PNBHS 1st 5/8 to Taranaki next year.

Yes, I posted that Viljoen had been signed by Taranaki when he appeared in the Chiefs U18 development camp list.

I'd say he's the most promising player to come out of Manawatu schoolboy rugby in the last few years.

Eli Oudenryn, and before him Ruben Love, are a couple of other recent players.

@Mauss Brown is a midfielder that wouldn't look out of place in a SR squad.

As I've said before, if Manawatū could retain the majority of their talent from PNBHS and FAHS they would have a strong NPC side.

Good impact from Sam Coles off the bench.

@Duluth said in Manawatu v North Harbour:

3mins 30 secs of TMO

And the wrong decision. Are the cameras not good enough for NPC games?