Super Rugby Pacific 2023

[Guy Smiley]

Decent arm wrestle, this.

[Kiwias]

Too much fucking music!!

[Guy Smiley]

Ahhhhh….

That should be a card FFS

[Guy Smiley]

Too much fucking music!!

Yeah, it’s fucking bad and getting worse as the game goes on.

[Kiwias]

WTF did the Brumbies kick away that possession?

[Kiwias]

The lads will be booking their flights to Hamilton now.

[Guy Smiley]

The lads will be booking their flights to Hamilton now.

Boxing practise this week to prepare for the niggle.

[Gumboot]

Chiefs get the job done, but credit to the Brumbies who pushed it all the way.

[Gumboot]

All Blacks midfielder Jack Goodhue is reported set for a big money move to French Top 14 club Castres Olympique.

French rugby newspaper Midi Olympique has reported that Castres are set to “break the bank’’ to lure the 28-year-old Crusaders stalwart to the south of France.

The report said Castres, who finished ninth in the Top 14 this season, were prepared to make “a huge splash’’ by securing some key new signings.

And he looks to be getting back to his best, after being out for so long...

Bugger.

[Grandpa]

All Blacks midfielder Jack Goodhue is reported set for a big money move to French Top 14 club Castres Olympique.

French rugby newspaper Midi Olympique has reported that Castres are set to “break the bank’’ to lure the 28-year-old Crusaders stalwart to the south of France.

The report said Castres, who finished ninth in the Top 14 this season, were prepared to make “a huge splash’’ by securing some key new signings.

And he looks to be getting back to his best, after being out for so long...

Bugger.

With all his injuries he's probably thinking I better make hay while I am still able to...

[Guy Smiley]

There have been rumours about Goodhue going to France for a while. I didn't want to believe them.

Looking at the way NZR has been managed over his career span so far, I guess a fat pay day over uncertainty wins every time. Dammit.

[Kiwias]

Buggeration. He has looked in superb form in the last few matches. He led the massive defensive effort that shut down Heem and Ioane, with 25 tackles.

[Kiwias]

Razor perfectly explains the concept of positive thinking with this quote post-match.

We haven't focused on who we haven't got, but on who we have got.

"It's a real mindset thing. I've really driven and made sure that the next person is ready, and taking that opportunity.

[Flockwitt]

There have been rumours about Goodhue going to France for a while. I didn't want to believe them.

Looking at the way NZR has been managed over his career span so far, I guess a fat pay day over uncertainty wins every time. Dammit.

Given his injury record, he's got to go now while he can. He's older than I realized also. Still there's a major exodus this RWC cycle. A brave new world awaits Razor.

[Guy Smiley]

There have been rumours about Goodhue going to France for a while. I didn't want to believe them.

Looking at the way NZR has been managed over his career span so far, I guess a fat pay day over uncertainty wins every time. Dammit.

Given his injury record, he's got to go now while he can. He's older than I realized also. Still there's a major exodus this RWC cycle. A brave new world awaits Razor.

Baby Blacks?

Razor’s Piglets

[Gumboot]

That'll be the one silver lining when we inevitably crash and burn in France - at least we have a lot to look forward to next year.

[Guy Smiley]

That'll be the one silver lining when we inevitably crash and burn in France - at least we have a lot to look forward to next year.

Like winning back the Bledisloe after Fozzie fucks that up as well?

[Gumboot]

That'll be the one silver lining when we inevitably crash and burn in France - at least we have a lot to look forward to next year.

Like winning back the Bledisloe after Fozzie fucks that up as well?

I'm amazed we still hold it after three years of his miserable reign.

Reckon Covid probably saved his blushes... too harsh?

[Guy Smiley]

Nope. Generous.

[Gumboot]

Any newbies you're expecting to hear named, Guy? Any surprise omissions?

[Guy Smiley]

Any newbies you're expecting to hear named, Guy? Any surprise omissions?

I'll be very surprised if Fozzie and co deviate from their script and cast for the upcoming reprisal of the lacklustre series they've delivered so far.

I would love to see some unexpected selections and omissions but I reckon they'll stick with the favourites. He won't drop Beauden but he should, he will try and fit DMac and BB into the same team although he shouldn't. Roigard absolutely demands a spot but it wouldn't surprise me to see Christie there instead...

etc. There are others... Aumua over Coles, Tamaiti Williams will probably be named, Frizell and A Ioane can fuck off but won't.

I dunno mate.. maybe we'll be pleasantly surprised. Maybe.

[Gumboot]

In a 36-man squad, and with an eye to the future, I'd be happy if they went with 4 hookers and 4 halfbacks. Never mind another odd-job lock/loosie or outside back, give me specialists please!

Taylor, Coles, Taukei'aho, Aumua, Nugget, Christie, Roigard, Fakatava.

[Guy Smiley]

Squad: Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Scott Barrett, Sam Cane, Finlay Christie, Caleb Clarke, Dane Coles, Ethan de Groot, Braydon Ennor, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Samipeni Finau, Shannon Frizell, Rieko Ioane, Luke Jacobson, Will Jordan, Nepo Laulala, Anton Lienert-Brown, Tyrel Lomax, Josh Lord, Damian McKenzie, Dallas McLeod, Richie Mo'unga, Emoni Narawa, Fletcher Newell, Dalton Papalii, Brodie Retallick, Cam Roigard, Ardie Savea, Aaron Smith, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Codie Taylor, Mark Telea, Ofa Tuungafasi, Tupou Vaa'i, Sam Whitelock, Tamaiti Williams.

Shaun Stevenson (injury cover).

Mixed bag

[Gumboot]

Dallas McLeod!

[Guy Smiley]

Here's some added depth to the ins and outs....

The All Blacks XV has also been named.

Props
Jermaine Ainsley (28, Highlanders, Otago)
Oli Jager (27, Crusaders, Canterbury)
Tevita Mafileo (25, Hurricanes, Bay of Plenty)
Xavier Numia (24, Hurricanes, Wellington)
Aidan Ross (27, Chiefs, Bay of Plenty)

Hookers
Asafo Aumua (26, Hurricanes, Wellington)
Ricky Riccitelli (28, Blues, Taranaki)
Tyrone Thompson (23, Chiefs, Wellington)

Locks
Naitoa Ah Kuoi (23, Chiefs, Bay of Plenty)
Quinten Strange (26, Crusaders, Tasman)
Isaia Walker-Leawere (26, Hurricanes, Hawke’s Bay)

Loose Forwards
Billy Harmon (28, Highlanders, Canterbury)
Akira Ioane (28, Blues, Auckland)
Du’Plessis Kirifi (26, Hurricanes, Wellington)
Christian Lio-Willie (24, Crusaders, Otago)
Pita Gus Sowakula (28, Chiefs, Taranaki)
Cameron Suafoa (27, Blues, North Harbour)

Backs:
Halfbacks
Folau Fakatava (23, Highlanders, Hawke’s Bay)
Brad Weber (32, Chiefs, Hawke’s Bay)

First-five-eighths
Brett Cameron (26, Hurricanes, Manawatū)
Stephen Perofeta (26, Blues, Taranaki)

Midfielders
Jack Goodhue (27, Crusaders, Northland)
Alex Nankivell (26, Chiefs, Tasman)
Billy Proctor (24, Hurricanes, Wellington)
Bailyn Sullivan (24, Hurricanes, Waikato)

Outside Backs
Sam Gilbert (24, Highlanders, Otago)
AJ Lam (24, Blues, Auckland)
Ruben Love (22, Hurricanes, Wellington)
Etene Nanai-Seturo (23, Chiefs, Counties Manukau)
Jona Nareki (25, Highlanders, Otago)

[Kiwias]

MacLeod a major surprise.

Goodhue not there also a surprise.

Happy to see only one Ioane, now let's hope Foz plays him in his best position

Zarn Sullivan not in either squad

[Gumboot]

Zarn Sullivan not in either squad

But big brother Bailyn makes the NZ XV.

??

[Guy Smiley]

Zarn Sullivan not in either squad

But big brother Bailyn makes the NZ XV.

??

Yep... that's a head scratcher. As is Goodhue's relegation.

[Kiwias]

Zarn Sullivan not in either squad

But big brother Bailyn makes the NZ XV.

??

Yep... that's a head scratcher. As is Goodhue's relegation.

We know Goodhue's relegation is not because he is heading offshore cause several players doing the same are included.

[Gumboot]

Have to say, I feel a lot better about McLeod being picked rather than Levi Aumua.

[Guy Smiley]

Have to say, I feel a lot better about McLeod being picked rather than Levi Aumua.

Yeah... McLeod is a really smart player who brings a bit more than just athletic ability. If you'll forgive me mangling a phrase here, he plays faster than he runs.

[Kiwias]

So who is the luckiest player in the squad?

Clarke, Coles, or Frizzell

[Gumboot]

So who is the luckiest player in the squad?

Clarke, Coles, or Frizzell

Clarke.

Jordan is the only specialist fullback named, with Stevenson presumably his specialist injury reserve. Jordie can play 15 of course, but hopefully this is an indication that Jordan will be given a decent crack at fullback.

[Guy Smiley]

So who is the luckiest player in the squad?

Clarke, Coles, or Frizzell

Clarke.

Jordan is the only specialist fullback named, with Stevenson presumably his specialist injury reserve. Jordie can play 15 of course, but hopefully this is an indication that Jordan will be given a decent crack at fullback.

But but but...

Beauden

[Gumboot]

So who is the luckiest player in the squad?

Clarke, Coles, or Frizzell

Clarke.

Jordan is the only specialist fullback named, with Stevenson presumably his specialist injury reserve. Jordie can play 15 of course, but hopefully this is an indication that Jordan will be given a decent crack at fullback.

But but but...

Beauden

No doubt.

*sigh*

[Kiwias]

So who is the luckiest player in the squad?

Clarke, Coles, or Frizzell

Clarke.

Jordan is the only specialist fullback named, with Stevenson presumably his specialist injury reserve. Jordie can play 15 of course, but hopefully this is an indication that Jordan will be given a decent crack at fullback.

BB will be named at 15 and Jordan on the right wing in the first test. You heard it here first.

[Gumboot]

BB will be named at 15 and Jordan on the right wing in the first test. You heard it here first.

Yes we already knew who Fozzie would pick, so no surprises at all. Nothing to see. As you were.

[Gumboot]

Sorry, I'm just so pissed off with the predictable failure of it all.

[Kiwias]

Gumboot

You are not the only one, mate. Foz lacks any vision and guts, with the predictable result that the quality of the ABs performances continues to decline.

Jordan showed how much more effective he is from fullback than the wing in the semi but that means fucking nothing to the fat stupid muppet.

[Grandpa]

Posted this in the other place, but it still stands...

I'd dump:

Christie for Weber
Tuungafasi for Moody
Laulala (he has no feeling in his hands FFS) for anyone
Frizell for Flanders
Clarke for Stevenson
McLeod for Goodhue
Ennor for Proctor

I feel for Sotutu not making the back-up squad. he was on fire at the start and middle of the season and just looks burnt out.

McLeod looks like Scott Hamilton to me. A good decent Super player, but that's it.