The Silver Fern

@Duluth backline shape looking nice there, still some of that shape with the tag off the back of a pod ball off 9. But there were a couple plays where a midfielder actually steps into that role, as opposed to (De Groot/Scott Barrett).
That try to ENS down the right is a real nice look at a stacked backline which i havent seen much of from ABs, that looked real good for the U20s - though was a bloody good offload from fihaki to actually make the try happen

@ShaquilleOatmeal The Ardie situation is arguably even tougher than the BB situation. It feels like the Barrett situation will run its course following this tour, where he physically is not up to it and its fairly obvious even to the lesser engaged fans. Beaudie could retire from international footy or just have an 'injury cloud' and fade into a much lesser role in the squad. Its not a hard decision for Razor to make.

Ardie on the other hand is actually still in seemingly great physical condition, but is just refusing to be a role player in the team. For one, its not immediately clear that the coaching staff even see this issue, but assuming they actually do some analysis on this - Razor has to either re-train him into actually peforming his core role (& him actually doing it on the field) or drop him for an actual 7 who can and will tackle and hit rucks all day. For a coach/organisation that seems to be so heavily dictated by broader influence, i dont see this happening until it becomes so bad that everyone starts to agree (as per BB situation) and even then all it takes is a short instagram snippet of a turnover or big dummie and the masses will be satisfied that all is well. I just cant see a situation where Ardie is dropped, and i cant see one where he changes his play. So will be a holding pattern through to the RWC

@Bovidae Must be next year sometime? Believe he last played for Tonga at world cup

@Bones as far as it goes, i dont think his top end, 50m sprint speed is up there with the likes of Cullen or Young Beaudie. But I believe his 5-10m acceleration, change of direction and balance is where he is really strong.

@gt12 Yeah its actually tough. They have to time their run very well and get lucky with a super rugby starting or solid bench role (without just getting shuffled to fullback) around age 23-24 and make a good fist of it. Probably quite clear in the Jacomb situation that he sees it that way. Poor Reihana nearly had the perfect situation before Mounga decided to waltz back in.
Unlike outside backs, midfielders, 9s, loosies and all tight 5 - who expect rotation every game or have multiple positions to have a crack at, if you're a 10 and not playing 80 mins most games in super rugby, you have little to no chance of cracking ABs as a 10

To be fair, to date hes a 25 year old who has played maybe 20 games of super rugby? If he doesnt take it, hes banking on being a ~27 year old in 2028 hoping to have a break out season and make the ABs. risky at best unless he really loves playing super rugby

I kept a slightly closer eye on Will Jordan this game. Hes such a strange player to watch. And he is the polar opposite to the dual playmaker role that we tried to deploy.

In the attacking line, he is an absolute seagull looking to run off shoulders, he is barely ever actually in the line as such. when it comes off its excellent and he has already got a few yards on the defender because hes so quick off the mark. But two things i noticed

• When he spots a gap and runs it - If he doesnt get the pass, he runs about 3 or 4 metres past the play and completely removes himself from the next phase like a league player. Its really strange, i dont see anyone else do it like this, most backs are itching to get back in the line and will stop on a dime to reset
• When he does make a break - his decision making is not flash. But its almost like he doesnt allow himself to slow down and look around, he is purely ears pinned and go. And his body is so locked in to his running style that he just cant give a good pass when it arises.

Its like hes built for pure line breaks

@sparky said in Scotland v All Blacks:

How many bad games can Ardie Savea and Beauden Barrett keep having in Black?

I can't remember any of our players in the past escaping scrutiny for such consistently disappointing performances.

Thats the issue - there is a cognitive dissonance across the whole of NZ (& world) rugby media and consumers - people genuinely watch these guys play and their branding just over rides any actual critical thought about how these guys should be playing

@Daffy-Jaffy This reds squad is pretty stacked. 3 decent 10s to choose from.

Great to see Bason, Flanders & Will Cole in there. I actually rated Will Cole over Rico Simpson for the U20s. How good for Drew Wild too.

@Grooter said in Hurricanes 2026:

as we know Riley Higgins is set to be a generational player, so I'm thinking for the majority of the season Laidlaw should go Love 10. Higgins 12. Jordie 15. Cheers

It will be very interesting to see how the juggle them. Higgins and Proctor were clicking big time for the few games they were both healthy last year. Laidlaw has a tendancy to be pretty conservative so I dare say we will see Cameron at 10 a fair bit - probably will start the season there and hopefully play himself out of 10/Love play himself into it

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2026:

@mikey07 said in Hurricanes 2026:

Seriously think we messed up re signing Enari also I think Shields is getting a little long in the tooth would’ve been better getting a younger loose forward

Yeah I wish we kept TK Howden, Shields is done in my view. Enari is also another massively dud signing, alongside Poliko.

If required, I hope Delany is played at 6 before Shields.

Yeah i think if you split it into the positions (in descending order) I would look at it as:

6. Flanders, Delaney, Shields, (Ariko??) i think hes a 6
7. Kirifi/Lakai (pretty even for me)
8. Lakai, Iose, Flanders

In the locks would want Dearns starting i would say, other lock jersey up for grabs unless IWL can sort himself out and play some consistent footy like he is capable of!

Good to see Vernon Bason in there. Pretty settled squad. Pending injuries I put us a top 3 finish

@pakman So do the doctors get their own TMO to decide if HIA or no HIA? So ref can refer to TMO who can refer to doctor who can refer to their Doctor TMO?

@Steven-Harris Good to see Barnes picked up somewhere. That guy is an enforcer could develop well with a season or 2 under his belt

@Fredsaua12 Assuming he is signed as a loose forward? Believe they have to specify each player, as they can only move into the team based on injuries in their subsequent position

@Canes4life Missed responding to this. I am surprised that Cashmore didnt try to sure up a spot at chiefs or blues, given he is really just signing up for a year.

I have a feeling that Godfrey's inbox will be getting some offers towards the end of this year. Wonder if hes looked as a replacement at the chiefs for Jacomb, or Blues for Perofeta. And if that happens Canes will panic and extend Cameron well beyond his use by date. So it is good to have Cashmore as a keen young 10.

@Canes4life Wow thats pretty surprising and dissapointing

Is this not being aired on any NZ platform?

@Canes4life really should have picked him up around 20/21 when you look at the 10s that have come and gone from the canes since. Been a solid operator for years but never really cracked super other than MP. Not so bad now days but always felt there historically has been a clear bias for Wellington based players over turbos or magpies