The Silver Fern

@darylmitchell I personally thought that Codie Taylor was one of the best and most consistent performing All Blacks this year so that maybe why you didn't see much criticism getting put on him.

@Duluth said in Super Rugby 2025:

NZ sides have the most injuries

A 23 of NZ players listed as unavailable for this week:

1. Finlay Brewis

2. Asafo Aumua

3. Tyrel Lomax

4. Sam Darry

5. Josh Lord

6. Wallace Sititi

7. Dalton Papali'i

8. Hoskins Sotutu

9. Noah Hotham

10. Damian McKenzie

11. Etene Nanai-Seturo

12. Riley Higgins

13. Billy Proctor

14. Kade Banks

15. Zarn Sullivan

16. George Bell

17. PJ Sheck

18. Seb Calder

19. Jamie Hannah

20. Luke Jacobson

21. Taufa Funaki

22. Stephen Perofeta

23. Rameka Poihipi

Thats a lot of talent we're missing out on

@Daffy-Jaffy He's been training with them since pre season iirc. Was a late addition to the bench last night and made his debut.

@Canes4life no that seems too logical for fern posting

@MacDazzler I thought Gallagher was a standout for Canterbury at blindside. Not just a loss to the Hurricanes, but to NZ Rugby

I saw there was a segment about the Blues first day back at HQ on 1news sport tonight. Was looking out for any wider squad members. Some expected names like L Milo-Harris and Shilo Klein but was surprised to see Alex Harford the Canterbury boy making the shift.

I'd like to see ETS in the squad. Personally thought he was near even to Narawa as the Chiefs best back three player come end of season

Would have to imagine its James Mullan since McAlister and Taylor already announced as signings and Bell being very unlikely to be lost

I wouldn't mind seeing Vaa'i at 6 with the form he's been in with a Darry/Barrett or a returning Tuipulotu locking combo to balance our loose trio

@Bones Picked up an injury in the early rounds for Canterbury. Hasn't featured since.

8.18A penalty goal can be scored only from a penalty.

8.19The kicking team must indicate their intention to kick for goal without delay.

8.20If the team indicates to the referee the intention to kick at goal, they must kick at goal. The intention to kick can be communicated to the referee or signalled by the arrival of the kicking tee or sand, or when the player makes a mark on the ground.

@pakman said in All Blacks XV 2025:

With Beehre promoted XV very low on locks?

My understanding is he is just training cover for the week with the All Blacks. Could still be released to play xv. Although actually I highly doubt that

@Bones not playing in the Champions Cup final never stopped Jonny from running his mouth to the ref. Playing or not he will find a way to sledge

Bailyn Sullivan has played well benefitting from the Hurricanes midfield injuries

@Trig I've just double checked, there was a game where Tauelangi was a late call up for Moana Pasifika which I had wrongly remembered as being Papuni called up for. And for Wingham he was named on the bench for the Highlanders against Moana but was not used

@Steven-Harris Have heard that Drua also have Angelo Smith as one of their signing targets for next season too

I think the Highlanders should consider George Reeves as the Number 8 signing. Great talent out of Canterbury, I believe to be similar size wise to Fletcher Anderson. A good build for a number 8 that has the versatility to cover blindside where he has been appearing for Southland off the bench. Southland picking him up has gone under the radar for the talent that he is. Betting that he will continue to flourish with more game time and time in the NPC environment. His first week with the stags was brought onto the bench and made an impact in their win over Manawatu with strong carries and the ability to turnover the ball at the breakdown. He is a young number 8 that I think is worth investing in, and the pathway to sign him is more viable now with him on loan with the Stags than trying to work out other players contract situations like Fletcher Anderson

@KiwiMurph I guess some people only see what they want to see. Came on in both the semi final and the final and did what he does best, carry hard and fast into contact and win line-outs. It was only a few years ago when he was the main component of the lineout in the final against the Blues at Eden Park and was praised for his ability to disrupt the opposition ball. I noticed him come off the bench in these last two games and have that same presence at lineout time. And in the final despite apparently being anaonymous, I recall him instantly taking about three carries as soon as he came on the field and all being strong through contact and breaking the advantage line.

@Daffy-Jaffy Is Australian qualified through grandparents too

@taniwharugby I believe both Latu and Dale's connection goes back to the Sydenham club in Canterbury which saw Dale recruit Latu down to Southland and then again to Northland. This season he returned to Sydenham for club rugby and now with Canterbury