The Silver Fern

Worst game from the Black Ferns for ages.
Renee Holmes should never have been in the starting side. Sure she had a couple of decent games but that was against minows. Terrible defence as she has shown her entire career.
We played much better when she went off and Sorensen-McGee moved into fullback.
Bremner had a shocker, continued to get in between the backs and mess things up as she has done all tournament. Demant had one of her worst games ever, disappointing in her 50th.
In another chat group, I suggested that Portia, who hasn't looked good all tournament, in fact, hasn't looked good since the record breaking game against the US, should not have started. Leti-I'iga should have started.
Again, we looked a lot more dangerous in the back three once Holmes went off and I think we finished the game with a back three of Waka, Leti-I'iga and Sorensen-Mcgee with Brunt and Setefano in the centres but I stand to be corrected as by then I was seeing red at the absolutely shite referring that was on display.

Best on park for the BF's:
Stacey Waka - WotM

and as someone said earlier in this thread, when Stacey retires, the AB's should bring her in as catching coach!

@Snowy said in Womens RWC 2025:

@Bones said in Womens RWC 2025:

No Risi?

A bit odd and there doesn’t seem to be any comment on it anywhere.

AI says: “ This decision is part of the Black Ferns' overall team rotation and tactical planning for the knockout stages of the tournament. ” but fuck knows where it made that up from.

Definitely looks like rotation. Risi has clearly been our best halfback since coming into the 15's from the 7's.

Last game against Ireland, she did look a bit gassed and her passing wasn't as good as it has been. A rest will probably do her good and this game should help choose who is her back up, Joseph or Hohaia.

Disappointed that Leti-I'inga isn't getting another start as she really sparked things when she replaced Portia against Ireland.

Black Ferns team v South Africa (Test caps):

1. Chryss Viliko (16)

2. Georgia Ponsonby (34)

3. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (2)

4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (35)

5. Alana Bremner (32)

6. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (32)

7. Jorja Miller (5)

8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker (13)

9. Maia Joseph (13)

10. Ruahei Demant (48) – co-captain

11. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (31)

12. Theresa Setefano (22)

13. Stacey Waaka (29)

14. Braxton Sorensen-McGee (6)

15. Renee Holmes (26)

16. Atlanta Lolohea (8)

17. Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (8)

18. Kate Henwood (12)

19. Laura Bayfield (4)

20. Kennedy Tukuafu (32) – co-captain

21. Iritana Hohaia (18)

22. Amy du Plessis (22)

23. Ayesha Leti-I’iga (28)

Unavailable due to injury: Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt (head).

Team named for Quarter Final v South Africa

https://www.allblacks.com/news/black-ferns-set-to-take-on-south-africa-in-womens-rugby-world-cup-quarter-final

@Mattasaurus said in Final - Crusaders v Chiefs:

If Ethan was anything but a Crusader, people would love his work rate on both sides of the ball ..... never seen such a prolific tackler get so maligned.

Prolific tackler? Plenty of tackle assists but not a single dominant tackle or turnover.
And 30 carries for less than a meter...

It's not "maligned" if it's an accurate reflection of the actual results.

Blackadder, 30 carries for 0.8 metres.
Exactly why he is so overrated and shouldn't be in the ABs.
Busy but so ineffective in both offence and defence.

Going for the all NZ sweep:
Crusaders, Blues, Canes

Bloody amazing year from the Women!
Head and shoulders above the rest of the world, winning 4 of 6 tournaments plus the championship.

And well done to Jorga Miller, doulbe awards, Player of the Final as well as Women's Player of the Year!

It is scary just how good she is and how much better she might well get, absoultely deserved!

As for the Men, best not to mention them except to say this tournament was one of their better ones given a third place finish, their first podium finish for the season.

@Bovidae said in Black Ferns 2025:

@RoninWC said in Black Ferns 2025:

That's a strong lineup for the training camp. Looks like a better squad than that which went to the UK.

A couple of non-selections too, which are justified (e.g., Pip Love).

Agreed, also ommitted from the camp is a personal favourite but someone that hasn't performed to her best since the last world cup final, Joanah Ngan-Woo.

She was coming back from injury but sadly could not earn a start in a side that was the worst performing team in Aupiki.

@Bovidae said in Black Ferns 2025:

https://www.allblacks.com/news/black-ferns-unveil-first-camp-invitees-player-list

That's a strong lineup for the training camp. Looks like a better squad than that which went to the UK.

Will be very interesting to see who they pick in the initial squad as I've got tickets to watch them play Aus in Newcastle on May 11, can't wait!

@Snowy said in Fernies - Nominations - Best Memer (King of Memes):

@dogmeat said in Fernies - Nominations - Best Memer (King of Memes):

Is it @rembrandt that sporadically posts 20 or so incredibly dark memes and then disappears off the thread again?

Anyway - that guy.

@RoninWC dumped a heap at once a few times. Usually dark or pervy IIRC. Not judging, just describing . Don’t think he’s been around for a while.

Still here, just not posting memes these days.

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2024:

@RoninWC said in All Blacks 2024:

@Old-Samurai-Jack said in All Blacks 2024:

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2024 - selection:

@Old-Samurai-Jack said in All Blacks 2024 - selection:

Oh, get a grip. So Sotutu is now the finest player not to get selected and everyone else is a journeyman. I find it funny how by attacking another player from a rival team who doesn't even get selected as a No.8 is the main focus of the argument. Just so friggen stupid.

you are talking about EB?
Where would you rank him on his 2024 season against the other 6s and 7s?

One of the most effective loose forwards in the comp in a dysfunctional team when playing. Hence pretty much every pundit outside this echo chamber putting his name in the mix.
Being made of glass and a lack of a body of work is a reasonable argument though...

LOL, I call BS on this statement.

One of the busiest, sure, but effective, NFW!

He's there because he's the coaches pet and son of a mate and because the fan boys fawn over the few minutes he plays each season.

Should never have walked into the squad let alone starting given how few minutes he's played and how actually ineffective he is when he plays. Busy doesn't mean efffective.

God you're repetitive and full of shit. He didn't walk into the starting side. The starting loosies against England were DP, AS, SF. EB and LJ had their first starts vs Fiji. EB performed, SF had not, and of the options available he earned the starting spot.
I wouldn't have picked him initially due to a lack of playing time, but he has performed well and justified his selection. Stats back that up.
To say he's been selected because he's the son of a mate paints you as quite the fluffybunny.

HAHAHA, look who's talking. It's my opinion, you have yours and I have my own.

And it's as clear AF that he should never have been picked in the first place. He did walk into the side without merit, that much is clear.

And I completely disagree that EB has "performed" as I have put in only 1 single previous post, I do not believe that he is effective. He's busy but effective, far from it in my opinion.

You have yours, but that is not reason to call anyone a fluffybunny, especially from one such as yourself!

From Allianz Stadium (formerly Twickenham) tomorrow night.

A rematch of the Women's 2022 Rugby World Cup Final.

Interesting stats:

• Great to see the return of the pocket rocket, Ayesha Leti-I'iga, returning for her first match since scoring the winning try in that final
• John Mitchell who took over as Head Coach of England coaches against his native country for the first time
• England are the world’s number one ranked team have won 46 of their last 47 Test matches, including 16 on the trot since the 2022 Rugby World Cup

Very annoying, Stan Sport here in Australia has decided against streaming this match despite having the rights to the game. It does conflict with the Women's Australia v Ireland match but that shouldn't matter.

I've emailed Stan Sports a few times already and I can only encourage other Aussie based Ferner's to do the same and hopefully we can get a replay?

Teams
Black Ferns (15-1):
15. Renee Holmes (18), 14. Ayesha Leti-I'iga (21), 13. Logo-i-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i (Sylvia) Brunt (17), 2. Ruahei Demant (37, Co-Captain), 11. Katelyn Vahaakolo (10), 10. Hannah King (3), 9. Maia Joseph (4), 8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker (6), 7. Kennedy Tukuafu (nee Simon) (23, Co-Captain), 6. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u (22), 5. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (25), 4. Alana Bremner (21), 3. Tanya Kalounivale (14), 2. Georgia Ponsonby (24), 1. Chryss Viliko (6)

Reserves:
16. Atlanta Lolohea (1), 17. Kate Henwood (5), 18. Amy Rule (24), 19. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu (2), 20. Layla Sae (7), 21. Iritana Hohaia (10), 22. Amy du Plessis (17), 23. Ruby Tui (14)

England (15-1):
15. Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 44), 14. Abby Dow, (Trailfinders Women, 46), 13. Emily Scarratt (112), 12. Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 23), 11. Jess Breach (Saracens, 39), 10. Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 31), 9. Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 73), 8. Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 68 caps), 7. Marlie Packer (Saracens, 105, Captain), 6. Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, 6), Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 65), 4. Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 54), 3. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 62), 2. 2 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 58), 1. Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 16)

Reserves:
16. Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers, 75), 17. Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 48), 18. Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 31), 19 Morwenna Talling (Sale Sharks, 14), 20. Georgia Brock (Gloucester-Hartpury, Debut) 21. Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 22), 22. Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 50 caps) 23. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 30 caps)

@Old-Samurai-Jack said in All Blacks 2024:

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2024 - selection:

@Old-Samurai-Jack said in All Blacks 2024 - selection:

Oh, get a grip. So Sotutu is now the finest player not to get selected and everyone else is a journeyman. I find it funny how by attacking another player from a rival team who doesn't even get selected as a No.8 is the main focus of the argument. Just so friggen stupid.

you are talking about EB?
Where would you rank him on his 2024 season against the other 6s and 7s?

One of the most effective loose forwards in the comp in a dysfunctional team when playing. Hence pretty much every pundit outside this echo chamber putting his name in the mix.
Being made of glass and a lack of a body of work is a reasonable argument though...

LOL, I call BS on this statement.

One of the busiest, sure, but effective, NFW!

He's there because he's the coaches pet and son of a mate and because the fan boys fawn over the few minutes he plays each season.

Should never have walked into the squad let alone starting given how few minutes he's played and how actually ineffective he is when he plays. Busy doesn't mean efffective.

@Stag said in Springboks vs All Blacks 2:

@Kiwiwomble you are appropriately named. Blackadder has been in of the best AB’s this season and clearly would have started again.

Hahahaha, you're kidding yourself. Best of the ABs this season, get the fuck outta here!

@Chris said in Springboks vs All Blacks 2:

Ethan Blackadder is injured that is the reason Sititi is starting and Jacobsen is on the bench.

Well thank fuck!

Broken as usual and as I said before, not world class and added little to a struggling AB team.

@Jet said in Springboks vs All Blacks 2:

Story of the season is surely Blackadder casting off his niggles moniker by being an 80 minute week in week out tyro.

WPOTY incoming.

Seriously, WTF do people see in Blackadder.

INMHO, he's softer in defence than the complaints about Ardie, haven't seen a good solid driving tackle or big hit from him yet.

He's useless with ball in hand and makes little real yards and then clearly his decision making is farking shite given the ball hungus screwing the pooch on a certain try!

Sure, he has an engine and runs all game and is involved but his involvment lacks much impact on both sides of the ball.

Fark me, I honestly watch his game scratching my head and think, "WTF are the coaches seeing in this guy?"!

In terms of changes, I think we clearly need more height in the engine room, start Darry and move Vai'i to starting 6. More height, more grunt!

@Bovidae said in Olympic Sevens 2024:

@RoninWC You mean Curry? It did seem strange that Webber went from being only a travelling reserve to replacing the injured Ware in the starting team. It doesn't say much about the original team selection.

Yes, I meant Curry, thanks for picking that up.

And yes, the whole selection was an absolute mess for those games.

Tomasi Cama a rubhish coach.

Starting Joe Webber in a knockout match is one of the most stupid decisions I've seen watching decades (and playing) sevens.
He misses far too many tackles (in fact, the only tackle I can recall he made was at the kickoff for the 2nd half, his one and only good play in the whole match), his passes are piss poor, usually going behind the player he's passing to and he pretty much does the same thing every time he has the ball in hand.

To compound that headscratcher, he doesn't start either of the two playmakers used the most thru the HSBC 7s, Cook-Savage and Rokolisoa, yet he starts Collier and Dillon who are both too old and too slow and keeps them on almost the entire match. In fact, Collier played the entire match and contributed almost nothing just because he's the captain he's kept on the whole time... WTF!

And WTF was that from Knewstubb, he was thru the tackle, line open in front of him and he attempts a miracle offload which is intercepted and turned into the match winning score when the SA player looks up, sees only Dillion and Collier in front of him and takes the most logical option, kick and chase when you know you can outpace your opposition, just too easy.