@Bovidae said in NZ U20s 2026:
Aust is doing the opposite of NZ with their U20s development pathway.
Feels like Aus has neglected their pathways for the past 10 years so it's good to see them finally sorting it out. Super Rugby needs a strong Aussie.
Just need to keep the French donkey clubs away.
@Steven-Harris said in Exodus:
@Bovidae Not the only one theres a current super rugby prop who will be heading to the Newscastle Red Bulls club post next years super comp
According to my source ,this prop has english herritage via his grand parents
Was this Pouri Rakete-Stones?
He’s being reported in the Daily Mail to Red Bulls.
Respectfully, Wales should keep their mitts to themselves and produce their own talent.
Wales have approached Tahlor Cahill.
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wru-approach-new-zealand-rugby-33008076
@Steven-Harris said in Exodus:
Spoke to a contact yesterday Taufa Funaki more than likely leaving NZ rugby after the 2026 super season wants to represent Tonga at the 2027 RWC
That's a shame, he's a good player. Do you know if there is any truth to the Lam rumours?
Seems like the core of the Blues are all leaving once they get a decent overseas offer.
Very odd Henare Parangi didn't make it.
And none from Manukura make the girls team... and they won the girls final...
Zac Lomax to the Western Force would be fun.
@Canes4life said in Japanese Rugby:
@Duluth said in Japanese Rugby:
https://www.rugbyjp.com/post/7-newly-qualified-foreign-stars-who-could-debut-for-japan-in-2026
I know it's a small list of players but man some of them left NZ too early in their careers.
We could sure use a #7 that attacks the breakdown like Boshier does.
@African-Monkey said in Blues 2026:
@hikastags said in Blues 2026:
@African-Monkey said in Blues 2026:
@hikastags said in Blues 2026:
@george33 said in Blues 2026:
Newcastle have signed Hoskins Sotutu on a 3 year deal damn that's disappointing.
Very disappointing. And to lose Lam also.
And we'll continue to lose more too.
Our players are good enough to have a look at for higher honours, but the chances of them getting that look are bleak. Papali'i will be gone next
With the new Club World Cup happening in 2028, I expect all of our SR teams will get cleaned out by NH clubs after the 27 WC.
And R360 too. I know it seems like a shambles currently, but now with it starting supposedly in 2028 after the RWC, eventually it'll get off the ground and eventually people will join.
Yeah agree mate. Things are looking ugly for us post-RWC 27.
Meanwhile the URC and Top14 continue to grow in revenue so they can pick off more of our players.
I'm definitely a minority on it... but I think there's many benefits to NZ Rugby from R360. If NZ eventually gets to the point where we have to select overseas players (hope not, but feels inevitable at this stage) , R360 is by far the best option IMO.
@African-Monkey said in Blues 2026:
@hikastags said in Blues 2026:
@george33 said in Blues 2026:
Newcastle have signed Hoskins Sotutu on a 3 year deal damn that's disappointing.
Very disappointing. And to lose Lam also.
And we'll continue to lose more too.
Our players are good enough to have a look at for higher honours, but the chances of them getting that look are bleak. Papali'i will be gone next
With the new Club World Cup happening in 2028, I expect all of our SR teams will get cleaned out by NH clubs after the 27 WC.
@george33 said in Blues 2026:
Newcastle have signed Hoskins Sotutu on a 3 year deal damn that's disappointing.
Very disappointing. And to lose Lam also.
@African-Monkey said in Exodus:
We're becoming a decent supplier for European clubs.
Has been that way for some time. The worst part right now is we are letting players go that could actually help us get better, IMHO....
Feels like it's getting much worse though. And the NRL raiding Union pathways here is at an all-time high.
Seeing both Hoskins and Lam leave really sucks.
@antipodean said in What new players would you like to see in all blacks next year:
@hikastags said in What new players would you like to see in all blacks next year:
@antipodean said in What new players would you like to see in all blacks next year:
@hikastags said in What new players would you like to see in all blacks next year:
@antipodean said in What new players would you like to see in all blacks next year:
@S3L3CTOR said in What new players would you like to see in all blacks next year:
@antipodean He was pretty good in the Top 14.
Statistically he was one of, if not the worst centers defensively.
If he was so shit he wouldn't of been a finalist for Top14 midfielder of the year.
How many centers were in the finals, 14? Where was this voting taking place, Crusaders HQ?
His defence is clearly not up to the standard required, I don't know why people try to defend the indefensible.
Cringe.
His defense in the Top14 wasn't as crap as it's been now. Like everyone else, they've gotten worse under Razor.
IIRC it's been well documented he was amongst the worst in his position in the Top14 defensively.
That he's a powerful ball runner isn't being debated. But he can't be a serious choice to play 13 for the All Blacks until this glaring deficiency is addressed.
Yeah fair enough . Agree also regarding 13... I think his game is better suited to 12 where it's more direct.
And he's put on too much bulk to be a winger now.
@antipodean said in What new players would you like to see in all blacks next year:
@hikastags said in What new players would you like to see in all blacks next year:
@antipodean said in What new players would you like to see in all blacks next year:
@S3L3CTOR said in What new players would you like to see in all blacks next year:
@antipodean He was pretty good in the Top 14.
Statistically he was one of, if not the worst centers defensively.
If he was so shit he wouldn't of been a finalist for Top14 midfielder of the year.
How many centers were in the finals, 14? Where was this voting taking place, Crusaders HQ?
His defence is clearly not up to the standard required, I don't know why people try to defend the indefensible.
Cringe.
His defense in the Top14 wasn't as crap as it's been now. Like everyone else, they've gotten worse under Razor.
Cam Christie for the #6 jersey.
@antipodean said in What new players would you like to see in all blacks next year:
@S3L3CTOR said in What new players would you like to see in all blacks next year:
@antipodean He was pretty good in the Top 14.
Statistically he was one of, if not the worst centers defensively.
If he was so shit he wouldn't of been a finalist for Top14 midfielder of the year.
@mariner4life said in Wales v All Blacks:
@canefan said in Wales v All Blacks:
Love makes a great pickup at 17 mins and makes 50m on a touchfinder. A rare occurrence this season
He and DMac had some huge kicks, wonder if they might have been beneficial at a few points this year?
Helps that some of the NH stadiums don't meet World Rugby's minimum required width.
E.g. Stade de France width is 67.60m, Allianz Stadium in Italy is 65m (believe Principality Stadium is 68m)
All our main stadiums in NZ are at the max of 70m so a lot of our kicks look bigger than normal up there.
10 missed tackles when you only have to make 52 is shit.
Hopefully they let Sevu kick it out at the end as a sign it's over for him
Letting this dogshit Welsh side score 4 tries is embarrassing. They wouldn't even beat the Highlanders.