The Silver Fern

@DaGrubster said in Scotland v All Blacks:

@Jet said in Scotland v All Blacks:

@DaGrubster said in Scotland v All Blacks:

@Jet said in Scotland v All Blacks:

Brothers on 3......123 Brothers.......cheeeeeeeehooooooo

Casual racism

Thats what they say in the huddle at the end of every game.

Oh do they? Fuck me!

Sorry dude didnt realise that

They do, I love it, some on here don't like the cheehoos though.

@SouthernMann said in Hurricanes 2026:

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2026:

@SouthernMann said in Hurricanes 2026:

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2026:

@SouthernMann said in Hurricanes 2026:

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2026:

@SouthernMann said in Hurricanes 2026:

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2026:

Trying to get a gauge of where our squad sits prior to Thursday's announcement.

These are the players that I've either seen confirmed or rumored to have signed.

It's pretty infuriating that we've signed guys like Enari and Filimone over guys like Preston and Solomon in the last couple years. Don't get the logic at all.

Updated squad list for 2026.

Hookers
A Aumua
J Devery
R Tuputupu

Props:
X Numia
T Mafileo
P Tosi
T Lomax
S Lauaki
P Rakete-Stones

Locks:
T Allen
C Delany
I Walker-Leawere
H Plummer
W Dearns

Loose forwards:
D Kirifi
P Lakai
B Iose
D Flanders
B Shields
A Poliko

Halfbacks:
C Roigard
J Vijoen
E Enari

First fives:
R Love
B Cameron
L Cashmore

Centres:
B Sullivan
B Proctor
J Barrett
R Higgins
J Rova

Outside backs:
C Harkin
F Fineanganofo
N Punivai
K Naholo
J Moorby
T Filimone

The Fimone v Solomon from all accounts one is a WTG player (Filimone) while Solomon is a full squad guy for the Landers. Not a fair comparison.

Also, apparently Josh Timu is a WTG member.

Right, I thought Filimone had secured a main contract. I'm happier to hear that now. Hopefully we've signed a better winger on a full contract.

Have just gone over the posts. All @Steven-Harris said was he is going to the Canes. I was presumptuous thinking it was a wider deal. So might be a full-time deal. From a now perspective. He is a better option that Solomon. He has played Super and done a good job.

I would personally prefer someone like Kade Banks, odd that he was never given more opportunity last year.

Yeah I was just comparing a seasoned winger in Fimone to Solomon. Solomon is a heck of a talent. Very small though. The times I have seen him in person he still looks like a kid. I was to see him develop physically before getting f a decent shot at Super level. Compare him and Finn Hurley (a couple of years older) and Hurley looks a lot more robust.

Yeah, totally get that. I thought the Canes would definitely have protected him though, maybe they see his size as a limiting factor at the next level. Time will tell. He could be sensational in a couple years time when he develops.

The kid could be anything. He just needs to ensure he has the physicality to stand up week in week out. I see him and Hurley as being interchangeable in the 23 jersey. Just need him to get some more size.

Do think his decision was an odd one though, two young players in his preferred position. Surely he'd have more of a chance seeing game time at the Hurricanes?

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2026:

@WoodysRFC said in Hurricanes 2026:

Vernon's best chance is definitely at the Canes, Aumua is a bit of a sick note sadly, and Devery and Tuputupu are sqaud depth players at best. I'd be shocked if he was looking anywhere else considering the depth at Crusaders, Blues, and Chiefs.

Wasn't he preferred over Tuputupu at Manawatu this year as well?

Yep. They see genuine leadership qualities in him and are leaning heavily into their next crop of talent.

Vernon's best chance is definitely at the Canes, Aumua is a bit of a sick note sadly, and Devery and Tuputupu are sqaud depth players at best. I'd be shocked if he was looking anywhere else considering the depth at Crusaders, Blues, and Chiefs.

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2026:

@WoodysRFC said in Hurricanes 2026:

Yes, like I said, stacked, in a very good position for next year in all positions really.

A few dud signings in my view - Enari, Poliko, Tuputupu and Allen all seem a bit meh.

Yeah Tuputupu hasn't exactly kicked on... Would be interested to see where the Bason's land? Poliko hasn't been given much opportunity, and Allen is young, but perennialy injured it seems?

Jai Tamati should have been brought into the fold, plenty of opportunity for half backs of his type.

Yes, like I said, stacked, in a very good position for next year in all positions really.

Stacked in outside backs, but none who are truly international standard.

@Canes4life said in Highlanders 2026:

@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:

@WoodysRFC said in Highlanders 2026:

@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:

If only we could pick up Springer to replace Lowe.

We'd have the full collection of promising young wingers then.

Springer is a poor man's Lowe though, eh @Canes4life

5 try Springer, that mans unstoppable.

1 better than four try Lowe.

@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:

If only we could pick up Springer to replace Lowe.

We'd have the full collection of promising young wingers then.

Against England A, considering Beehre called up to the main squad - and yeah apologies, I'll take an L there.

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks XV 2025:

@pakman said in All Blacks XV 2025:

With Beehre promoted XV very low on locks?

A veritable shortage.

Who's next in line and available, Haig? McWhannel? Or does Howden just wear the 19 jersey going into the next game.

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2026:

@Duluth I would too. but I fear him ending up in the Crusaders wider group replacing Trainor who withdrew to return to MLR. Also suspect our coach does not rate smaller backs, hence loosing Tito-Harris while signing bodies like Paul, Vai and Suanoa.

Odd, Tito-Harris isn't exactly a midget, bigger than Vai I'd imagine. It's a shame if that's your coaches mentality since we're in a golden period for smaller outside backs.

@brodean said in Blues 2026:

@WoodysRFC said in Blues 2026:

Looking at Reon Paul, Clarke, Forbes, Sullivan, Spencer, Saunoa, anyone else?

Spencer and Paul I thought had one year deals for 2025?

Spencer shouldn't be there based on this years form. He needs to bulk up and work on his defence.

Just working on assumptions here, would be inclined to agree. So who's most likely, since you're looking rather light?

Looking at Reon Paul, Clarke, Forbes, Sullivan, Spencer, Saunoa, anyone else?

More great work from ENS there.

@Bones said in Barbarians v All Blacks XV:

@WoodysRFC said in Barbarians v All Blacks XV:

As an aside, quite like Evans commentary, gets into the tactical aspects of the game, seems to have a great eye for how the game is developing.

He's pretty fucking monotone though eh, I stopped hearing him after 30 minutes

Yeah he does tend to fade into the background to be fair... Probably prefer him after twilight hours, it's the ASMR for me.

As an aside, quite like Evans commentary, gets into the tactical aspects of the game, seems to have a great eye for how the game is developing.

@Victor-Meldrew said in Barbarians v All Blacks XV:

Nanai-Seturo has looked bloody good.

He does everything else well in addition to having great footwork.

Wellington produces great backs.

@Bones said in Barbarians v All Blacks XV:

Kicking the fucking thing straight to their back 3 anytime we start creating space, without even going past 3 phases

They're immediately turning us around with their return kicks routinely finding grass and we wind up under pressure in our 22. Great try that though.