The Silver Fern

What do I know!

️ Emoni Narawa plays his 50th off the bench
️ Leroy Carter returns to the starting left wing
️ Simon Parker to make his return in the 20 jersey
️ Ratima unavailable due to the approaching birth of his second child

PLAYERS UNAVAILABLE DUE TO INJURY
Samipeni Finau – Concussion Protocol – Expected return Rnd 3
Wallace Sititi – Hamstring – Expected return Rnd 3
Jayden Sa – Shoulder – Expected return Rnd 3
Brodie McAlister – Hand – Expected return Rnd 5
Isaac Hutchinson – Knee – Expected return Rnd 8

Oh, that's right, the teams are named on a Wed.

As for the Chiefs, with no inside knowledge I expect a few of the other ABs might be back for this game. Narawa and Sititi would be the most likely. Parker seems to being eased back.

The timeframe is going to be tight for either Rennie or Joseph. That is why I said previously that the choice of assistant coaches will be more important as they can run a critical eye over the players in SR for the selection process. More complicated if some are currently part of a SR coaching group.

• Rennie and Joseph both see themselves as head coaches only.
• Next All Blacks coach unlikely to known until the second week of March.
• High-calibre and diverse assistants ready to work with either coach.

https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360951310/head-coach-or-bust-jamie-joseph-and-dave-rennie-wont-team-all-blacks

I couldn't watch but I see that NZ is still struggling to take wickets in the power play, and in general.

Very sad news. I saw Angus with his son a few times at the local supermarket.

The AB no.7 needs to be playing there regularly in SR. It's obvious what the openside needs to provide - getting to the breakdown, effective cleans, making tackles. Winning ruck turnovers is a bonus.

@African-Monkey said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:

Malicious. He's from the Crusaders region.

Worse. He's a North Harbour ref now.

Personally, I think what Vaa'i did should be legal. He didn't dive over a ruck.

A delay could also point to some new assistant coaches, and possible negotiations to exit existing contracts.

An opportune time for Jacomb to step up against his soon-to-be team in Rd 2. The 50:22 was his highlight, but we didn't see him put players into space. And like Perofeta, goal-kicking can be erratic.

@booboo said in NZR CEO Mark Robinson Resigns:

What's the issue with Lancaster?

It would be beneficial to appoint someone from outside the NZR ecosystem rather than just promote internally.

No new CEO yet, but NZR have a new CFO and CCO. I hope Kirk's praise of Lancaster isn't a sign of what will happen.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360938915/nz-rugbys-search-all-blacks-coach-and-chief-executive-continues-other-top-brass-appointed

It might just be an admin mistake but I note that in the Chiefs player profiles:

A couple of long throws were the problem for ST. The not straight was no worse than one of Slater's throws. Both lineouts were at 80%.

https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360948772/new-zealand-rugbys-vision-all-blacks-and-under-20s-adapt-world-never-lose-our-identity

• The group of about 200 players is about to be reduced to 100 for a development camp in Taupō after testing and individual meetings last week.
• The new NZ U20 coach will be immersed with the ABs to make sure everyone is on the same page.
• The games in Taupō seem to be trial games under the banner of the NZ Barbarians, Harlequins, Saracens and Centurions.

@OleOleOle said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:

@Landers92 yeah, Coombes-Fabling is not SR quality, he should have been hooked.

Yeah, that was a puzzling substitution. To be fair LCF had a decent game. He defended well when often he has been run over by bigger backs.

I'll take the win but it's hard for teams to look slick with a limited pre-season, and some players returning with no games behind them. Thompson will be relieved that his two penalties didn't cost the Chiefs the game.

When both teams are tackling at 90%+ there aren't going to be many try-scoring opportunities.

Happy that Cook-Savage had an impact in the short time he was on the field.

This was the Crusaders team:

Maybe the Crusaders will stream as it's their home game.

There is no excuse for Sky not to show the Blues-Chiefs game live. It would be better than listening to the pre-match waffle from the so-called experts.

@game_film said in Waratahs v Reds:

Wilson and Tate a big loss for the Reds, but not sure how many of those points that they would claw back.

Qld have a big injury list. They were missing their top two halfbacks and top three 1st 5s amongst others.