The Silver Fern

Weird, could see the first post with the table etc but the poll wasn't showing up!

@booboo said in 10. 2025 TOTY FIRST FIVE-EIGHTH:

Nominations closed. Vote in the OP.

No poll in this one!

@Jet said in All Blacks 2026:

@Tim said in All Blacks 2026:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/2025-nz-rugby-awards-ardie-saveas-player-of-the-year-prize-caps-a-dominant-year/5AMBW2XMKJFX7APJUPN7TAVXHI/

LOL

Have the fanbase ever been so disconnected from the team/pundits/officialdom?

There is a sizeable consensus on message boards that Ardie should be on the bench or not in the squad at all.

To be honest I think it's a vocal minority that think Savea is overrated. Most NZ fans love him and think he's one of the best players in the world.

@Canes4life said in 15. 2025 TOTY FULL BACK:

Damian Willemse was everywhere for the Springboks this year. Seen as Mr versatile, he makes the World XV at fullback for me after a pretty dominant year.

My vote too. Destructive at 15 and 12.

SFM and it's not even close. Not sure about an above suggestion that he hasn't done much this year. He's not played every game, but few players (particular South Africans) have. There's still room for improvement in various areas but he's unqualified stionably excellent already.

@Jet said in Bokke vs Wales:

@sparky said in Bokke vs Wales:

Etzebeth should get a lengthy ban for that. Totally needless thuggery.

73-0 up in last game of season in 80th minute.

Eye gouge someone.

Sigma male grindset.

Big dick energy.

NZ desperate for a dickehead in their side to do the same.

Third South African lock given a straight red on their European tour. One of those was scrubbed from the record but still.

@Yeetyaah said in Super Rugby 2026:

@Mr-Fish said in Super Rugby 2026:

The Chiefs are doing a heritage strip, just aren't unveiling it until January for whatever reason.

They showed it last night at the reveal, I saw it. It isn't ready yet.

Do you know I what way it's 'not ready'?

Seems a bit of a cock up to not have it ready to go for Christmas... Not like they haven't known the 30th anniversary is imminent.

The Chiefs are doing a heritage strip, just aren't unveiling it until January for whatever reason.

Some of their casual-wear looks pretty sick though.

So the Highlanders' heritage jersey is their home jersey.

Presume the Blues, Crusaders and Hurricanes will wear theirs a few times.

Hopefully the Chiefs don theirs at least once, unlike the past two seasons...

Really like both those jerseys actually.

Yeah at least two games to be added to the schedule but could still be three.

Two v Wallabies and Argentina (potentially in the US).

@mohikamo said in Wales v All Blacks:

@booboo said in Wales v All Blacks:

Isn't that required if there's a PT.

I think it is at the refs discretion.

By the letter of the law it is required if the referee can identify the perpetrator. But it's one of those ones where despite it not being codified in law, the ref has a bit of leniency.

@MiketheSnow said in 2025 The Silver Fern Team of the Year:

Yeah
No Ramos, Penaud
No Argies

Would have Ramos, Willemse or Carreras at fullback. Carreras suffered a bit from playing between both 10 and 15 - not sure he had as strong a body of work as Ramos.

A pretty good team, to be honest. Strongly disagree with Jordan at fullback but otherwise, no obvious issues. Beirne and Kolbe maybe a little controversial.

@mariner4life said in 14. 2025 TOTY RIGHT WINGER:

Max Jorgo embarrassed a lot of teams this year, should have won break out player of the year. Has mad wheels, gives defense kittens when he gets the ball.

Only eligible if you've debuted in November or later.

@W32 said in Springboks:

Players not featuring since last WC
Am
Mapimpi
Kok
Faf
Bongi
Malherbe
Fourie
Le Roux
Vermuelen
Kitshoff
Think also sous on his way out.

I’m sure I’m missing other.s. The big question is if Siya will make it to the next WC … and who will be the new captain?

Plenty of these players have featured since the last World Cup. Do you mean players from the last RWC that weren't used in November?

@pakman Fair - that Taylor yellow was baffling. Crawley got a card for the exact same thing against South Africa so at least there was some consistency there...

'Together We Walk' as a team theme is like having 'Hollywood' as the theme of a ball. About as non-committal as you can get.

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:

@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:

@nostrildamus Cruden, Barret, McKenzie and Mo'unga are the only 10s that have been blooded since Donald (who debuted 17 years ago) that currently have more caps than him prior to his 2011 appearance.

Lima Sopoaga?

Got about 20 caps - a couple fewer than Donald had in 2011.