The Silver Fern

@george33 Hoskins was in Tauranga at the camp. Flew down this morning, was back in Auckland by the afternoon.
It was a physical/medical check type of visit with the AB docs/trainers.
Make of that what you will

@gt12 I think it's a weekend camp? Hoskins had a 9.30am flight down and a 12.30pm flight back. It involved a medical and chat with the coaches.
So he WAS there albeit just for the morning.
He's on a plane soon to South Africa for the Baabaas game. He's also gonna play for the ANZAC team as well against the Lions and hes been told to use these games as an opportunity to put himself in the frame for a recall

@brodean

You can't say its "DP's decision" unless you have some evidence that Razor actually picked him and DP said no.

Razor: "Dalton I've picked you for the All Blacks"

DP: "No thanks.

Nailed it bruv

Got the 'call up' whilst with the ABXVs
Said thanks but no thanks.
Won't play for a coach he has lost respect for
NZRU considering sanction/fine of some
kind.
He got shafted last year around the time of the Northern tour and again this year.
Was it (this years shafting) to do with his non selection? Yes and no.

@nostrildamus said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@hikastags said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

Rieko Ioane posted a photo today from training with Ah Kuoi in the background.

I wonder what number Ioane was wearing..

11
Rieko has been training exclusively at wing. Zero reps in the midfield.

@Bovidae yep Telea (L) and Jordan (R) starting wings. Clarke will be on the bench I'm hearing

@KiwiMurph

A bit delayed but – I was at this game last Saturday. Canes had a stacked side with a couple of Super WTG guys in there (Jonah Lowe, Hugh Renton) and quite a few others with Mitre 10 experience. They certainly weren’t all U20 so was a good test for the young Blues side. Blues came out guns blazing to take an early 19-5 lead. Caleb Clarke scorching the Hurricances for 2 awesome long range efforts. The first one from halfway, hugging the line and just getting on the outside of his marker off a beautiful flat pass from fullback Otu Mausia. The chasers shouldn’t even have bothered. The 2nd one after getting back to support the fullback following a Canes clearing kick. Clarke took a pass on his own 22 metre line – again close to the touchline – and just gassed it down the left touchline. Beat the first guy with power, beat the cover defender with pure pace then an in and away with only about 2 metres of the sideline to work with to beat the last line. It was a joy to watch!! Canes kept it tight and ground away to score 2 tries of their own to make the score 19all at halftime. The 2nd half was an even affair. Errors creeping in to both sides games understandable given all the movement on the subs benches. In the end it was only 2 missed conversions in it. Both teams scored 2 tries in the 2nd half, the Canes converting both of theirs. Final score 33-29 to the Canes. Blues staff would have been quietly pleased with that effort as they would certainly have to have been considered the underdogs. 10 (out of 26) of that Blues 20s squad will be eligible again next year against probably just 2 from the Canes (Proctor and Moimoiseia).

Players to catch the eye for the Blues.

Dalton Papali’i – Gee this kid is a machine. It’s no wonder he is very highly regarded in the Blues organization. Another 2 tries against the Canes to go with his 2 the week before against the Chiefs 20s.
Caleb Clarke – Will easily be the first choice winger for the NZ U20s. Bigger, stronger and faster than his old man at the same age. Crazy to think he is still 17 – turning 18 this year.
TJ Vaega – Although not tall for an outside back –was great under the high ball, and extremely dangerous with ball in hand making a lot of threatening runs.
Cameron Suafoa – Big test against the premiere up n coming lock Walker-Leawere but gave a good account of himself. Called up to the March NZ U20s camp
Tanielu Tele’a – Given a start this week after good impact off the bench against the Chiefs the week before. Looked confirtable at this level. Also called up to the NZ U20s camp
Lewis Gjaltema – Great game by the halfback. Ran well and good option taking.

First post

Cheers – ex pat Aucklander living in the capital.

The sauce reckons the game could be on the skids...if it does go ahead both run on teams will be a wee bit different to the teams named

@george33 said in Highlanders 2024:

@KiwiMurph Tanguitau going no where, most likely Vikena won't be either

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2025:

@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:

Net impacts per 80 minutes
( Postive impacts minus negative impacts )
11.42 Dalton Papali'i

A productive 15 minutes for Papali’i - 4 carries for 19 metres, 1 defender beaten, 1 tackle (it was deemed dominant), 2 passes, 1 lineout win, 0 turnovers won or lost,

DP will not play for the ABs as long as Robertson is coach.
DPs decision.

Blues on the lookout for a new defense coach according to the sauce!

Out of that group I'd be keen on Heremaia Murray, tangitau (even though doesn't sound like it is happening), Sinkinson at a stretch), Bailyn Sullivan and Brewis

I'm hearing Vikena and Tangitau are locked in for the Highlanders

@African-Monkey Hoskins would be in the squad if Rangi went in to bat for him. Rangi has not gone in to bat for Hoskins. Hoskins is not in the squad.

@steven-harris good sauce...Paddy T out with a neck injury. Darry in and Robinson starts at 6 and (c). Aki on the bench.

@Kirwan said in Blues 2020:

And the other Barrett for fullback.

I reckon you could be onto something there....

@African-Monkey
Lay
Riccitelli
Laulala
Tucker
Darry
Robinson
Choat
Sotutu
9 Funaki
10 Barrett
11 Telea
12 RTS
13 Rieko
14 Lam
15 JRK

@bovidae

Papali'i (C) and BB (VC)

@Duluth said in Auckland v Waikato:

No Perofeta or Tele'a

Good to see a young back three after last year. Looking forward to seeing how Hainsworth-Fa'aofo goes at 8

Perofeta, Tele'a & Tangitau targeting Rd 4 returns.

The sauce reckons Foster is staying - with Schmidt as assistant.

@Landers92 yup. Plummer on the bench.

@Chris said in Blues 2023:

@Tim

Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens Maybe heading to the Crusaders

Signed with the Landers