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@Chris-B said in Wellington v Canterbury:
@Chris Yeah - I think that's the purpose of swapping Chapman and Drummie.
Ta$man has Christie and Hotham, so whomever is behind them probably won't get much time - that's OK for Mitch at the tailend of his career, but they want Chapman playing.
Yep that is exactly the reason for the swap.
@Chris-B said in Wellington v Canterbury:
Louie Chapman can play - if he could find a few more kgs he could go a long way.
He is in line for a Crusaders contract for 2026,
Mitch Drummond maybe done as a SR player.
@Donsteppa said in Black Caps in Zimbabwe:
@Chris Out of curiosity, what's the turnover of age grade coaches in the Queensland setup like?
I've only seen a very small glimpse of the ND system, but there seems to be a lot of staff turnover - and perhaps not always consistency for individual players as a result.
It has been consistent over the last 10 years
The core group of about 5 are still here.
We utilise a lot of Qld bulls and Australian players especially in the off season due to the weather and facilities at the high performance centre the Australian team trains a lot up here.
@Crazy-Horse said in Black Caps in Zimbabwe:
@canefan said in Black Caps in Zimbabwe:
@Crazy-Horse said in Black Caps in Zimbabwe:
@Cyclops said in Black Caps in Zimbabwe:
O'Rourke was out in that second innings too, so it was just Henry and the spinners. (Mitchell too I guess). Described as 'stiffness' so hopefully precautionary and he'll be a go for the second match.
He's a Kiwi quick looking useful. It'll be a stress fracture.
We have pretty average form in terms of keeping our young quicks injury free
We do. @Chris can probably give us an idea why. Training? Lack of match play? Or maybe, with our limited depth we notice it more.
A tough one the pulling back of bowling loads was being used as a training tool,this seems to lead to more back problems.
In the QLD under age rep programs we are more building up loads safely to get the body stronger.It seems to be working with less problems developing,
You can not train for a marathon by doing sprint training is the thinking.You need a decent amount of load work to build strength.
I think NZ are still working on the less work theory.
I also think NZ at under age level are not working enough on things like over rotation of hips and shoulders which leads to back problems and proper alignment when the player is young then you have less problems latter.
Some players with poor nutrition when young also leads to structural problems within the back.
@WoodysRFC He didn't give Inch much chance (rated fair on his scale). Also mentioned that Inch got a full Ta$man contract ahead of Cooper Roberts. Different positions, of course.
Ahead of Cooper Grant the first five
Cooper Roberts has a full contract.
@canefan said in Black Caps in Zimbabwe:
@MN5 said in Black Caps in Zimbabwe:
@Virgil said in Black Caps in Zimbabwe:
Nice to win a meaningless T20 series no one will remember 2 weeks from now… but seriously how good is Henry across all 3 formats now
I’ll have forgotten two days from now…
Matt Henry’s improvement across all formats is inspiring stuff. The numbers are excellent across the board.
Still got quite a few years left in the team provided injuries and form don’t become issues for him.
Considering until fairly recently he was pretty much a spare part if Southee/Boult/Wagner broke down he’s done so well to get where he is
Not bad for a one time pie chucker
Southee made a career out of chucking pies from start to finish.Now he is teaching the English bowlers not sure what though.
@Donsteppa said in Black Caps in Zimbabwe:
One of those players where stats and a bit of luck finally swung the way of talent that was always there.
yep hard work pays off and he is a hard worker off the field as well as on.
@george33 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris but he's not eligible for Rugby Championship Ta$man be his lot.
End of year tour I am thinking.
@hikastags said in All Blacks 2025:
The coaching in France must be amazing for him to have improved that much.
If you didn't watch any of his 40+ games for Toulon then just say so.
Yep I watched a lot of them the ones I watched he was very good at centre,It will be interesting where he ends up wing or centre for both the Crusaders and ABs.
@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:
@antipodean said in All Blacks 2025:
@hikastags said in All Blacks 2025:
Leicester should be straight back in the squad. He killed it in France at centre and is better than all of our current wings.
The coaching in France must be amazing for him to have improved that much.
At least as good as the coaching in Ireland.
Maybe better mate
@Duluth said in Fern Outage:
@Chris said in Fern Outage:
Brilliant work @Duluth and @Kirwan
you don’t know how much you miss this place until it is gone.It was so strange having a couple of big games to watch without the chat
Yeah it just didn’t feel right at all.
So glad you guys got it back.
@mariner4life said in All Blacks v France III:
Thoughts to generate some chat again.
Anyone who watched that and doesn't think Finau belongs in test rugby shouldn't bother logging back in, just go post on reddit rugby. He was our most effective loose forward for the majority of the match while the other two swanned about doing dumb shit.
Anyone who watched DMac calmy pass the ball to dangerous areas, kick with accuracy and depth, and just calmly guide us around, and doesn't think he should own that 10 jersey should also not bother logging back in.
The fact Jordie Barrett has come back from Europe playing this well is a damning indictment on our domestic coaching. He's night and day better than last year, so thank you Ireland.
If Razor puts Barrett back to starting lock given the form of the other two guys it would be a disgraceful piece of selecting.Geez the French have some depth. They played bloody well, that #8 was a fucking menace. Their forwards were so strong too, stopping us over and over again. Credit to the big lads who eventually got over the top of them.
Good test and a good win.
Yep I will eat my words on Finau he did stand up I was impressed by him for once, hopefully he keeps going that way.
@Bones said in Crusaders 2026:
Any news on George Bell? Hearing whispers he had a haircut.
It is a dirty lie it was a manicure.
@1kiwi said in Crusaders 2026:
@Chris said in Crusaders 2026:
I hear most of the squad is signed or has been re signed main areas are who the 3rd HB will be Drummond or Chapman maybe.
3rd First five James White or look for an experienced option.
Find a place for Oil Mathis maybe at Fletcher Andersons expense.
Maybe replace Strange if he goes overseas he has a contract in front of him.
Liam Jack probably will get that spot if Strange does move.
6th Prop stick with Finlay Brewis or look elsewhere.I'd be surprised if Drummond sticks around for Super next year as he is likely going to be the third or fourth ranked halfback behind Hotham, Preston & possibly Louis Chapman in the mix too.
I agree I think Chapman maybe in the mix for the 3rd contract spot.
Especially if he has a strong NPC.
@Crazy-Horse said in Crusaders 2026:
@BellsGeorg said in Crusaders 2026:
@Crazy-Horse Moananu was fully contracted this year, he's just saying he wasn't offered a full contract for next year.
Ok, but my question still stands.
Moananu didn’t have to give way as he was fully contracted ,Same as Bell, it was a selection decision to select Bell ahead of Maoanau not a directive due to his contract.
If he was on an injury cover contract then yes he would have to give way to Bell.