Super Rugby 2025 Thread
Lakai looked like a potential AB at 7 last year but was superb at 8 today with lots of strong running and big tackles.Gumboot wrote: Sat May 03, 2025 8:52 am Canes hold the Chiefs scoreless in the second half and win 35-17.
Plenty of Hurricanes players to like, but I thought Lakai was just outstanding.
Agree on Lakai. But also well supported by Iose , who I dont rate, in his 50th game. Also Kirifi, who I do rate.Gumboot wrote: Sat May 03, 2025 8:52 am Canes hold the Chiefs scoreless in the second half and win 35-17.
Plenty of Hurricanes players to like, but I thought Lakai was just outstanding.
Love started off a bit slowly in the first 10 minutes but then was class. He was far and away better than Jacomb and keep this up, he will be in contention as an AB 1st. DMac was missed and without him they are a different side. And Love is a 10 and he should stay there
Another Canes player who has stepped up this year in his 2 starts is Higgins. He's (much) faster, bigger and stronger. And has made a huge difference since replacing PUJ. Its no coincidence that the teams 2 big wins have been with Higgins and Proctor starting.
The Chiefs looked flat. The one area where I thought they might completely dominate was lock. It never happened. Not even close
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Guy Smiley
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I was checking out the Black Ferns performance over the weekend and stumbled over s bit of trivia I hadn't realised...
Noah Hotham's sister Jasmine is one of the stars in the team. She's bloody quick and has a superb eye... something in that Waikato water.
Noah Hotham's sister Jasmine is one of the stars in the team. She's bloody quick and has a superb eye... something in that Waikato water.
I think there is another sibling, a brother who is in the NZ tough rugby team.Guy Smiley wrote: Mon May 05, 2025 6:32 am I was checking out the Black Ferns performance over the weekend and stumbled over s bit of trivia I hadn't realised...
Noah Hotham's sister Jasmine is one of the stars in the team. She's bloody quick and has a superb eye... something in that Waikato water.
Very sad news about Suafoa, the Blues flanker, who is retiring very young because of sarcoma.
https://rugby365.com/tournaments/super- ... r-returns/
https://rugby365.com/tournaments/super- ... r-returns/
Savea was outstanding
But a very poor play at the end lost the Highlanders this match. Some are the NZ SR teams first are a bit limited.
Blues are OK with Barrett but otherwise struggle. Esp with Plummer's decline this year and Perofeta showing again hes not a first
Chiefs are good with DMac but Jacomb is ordinary. They need to try someone else otherwise if DMac is injured
Canes (seem to) have found a high quality first in Love. Godfrey looks like a FB playing first but is their next best option although maybe Harkin. The likes of Cameron looks the goods in one game but is mostly not even close to being good enough. Likewise Hohepa.
Highlander need better firsts. So far they all look a bit average. Maybe they should look at Harkin although he looks right at home at FB. But whats his best position. We might find out during the NPC esp if slow JGB is injured
But a very poor play at the end lost the Highlanders this match. Some are the NZ SR teams first are a bit limited.
Blues are OK with Barrett but otherwise struggle. Esp with Plummer's decline this year and Perofeta showing again hes not a first
Chiefs are good with DMac but Jacomb is ordinary. They need to try someone else otherwise if DMac is injured
Canes (seem to) have found a high quality first in Love. Godfrey looks like a FB playing first but is their next best option although maybe Harkin. The likes of Cameron looks the goods in one game but is mostly not even close to being good enough. Likewise Hohepa.
Highlander need better firsts. So far they all look a bit average. Maybe they should look at Harkin although he looks right at home at FB. But whats his best position. We might find out during the NPC esp if slow JGB is injured
Good points. To your point I think if he was eligible for the All Blacks Pelligrini would be in the squad as the third string 10.Firewater wrote: Tue May 06, 2025 5:02 am Savea was outstanding
But a very poor play at the end lost the Highlanders this match. Some are the NZ SR teams first are a bit limited.
Blues are OK with Barrett but otherwise struggle. Esp with Plummer's decline this year and Perofeta showing again hes not a first
Chiefs are good with DMac but Jacomb is ordinary. They need to try someone else otherwise if DMac is injured
Canes (seem to) have found a high quality first in Love. Godfrey looks like a FB playing first but is their next best option although maybe Harkin. The likes of Cameron looks the goods in one game but is mostly not even close to being good enough. Likewise Hohepa.
Highlander need better firsts. So far they all look a bit average. Maybe they should look at Harkin although he looks right at home at FB. But whats his best position. We might find out during the NPC esp if slow JGB is injured
Great to see Ennor back. Thought he played really well against the Force in his only game so far.Kiwias wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 4:07 am Crusaders team to play Chiefs at 4:05PM (Japan time) this Saturday in Christchurch. Ennor in the starting XV the big surprise.
CHIEFS:
Ollie Norris, Brodie McAlister, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa'i, Simon Parker, Luke Jacobson (c), Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross, Reuben O'Neill, Josh Lord, Samipeni Finau, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Gideon Wrampling
And great to see DMac back as well... with Sititi starting at 8.
Tasty!
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Guy Smiley
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Fight for the top of the table and 'Saders have a game in hand after the bye... juicy.
Pretty good match ups across the park, Chiefs locks probably shade the Saders otherwise I'd have the forward balance tilted slightly toe Saders way, even in the backs aside from midfield. I think Ennor with Havili is as good as Supe gets this season.
Pretty good match ups across the park, Chiefs locks probably shade the Saders otherwise I'd have the forward balance tilted slightly toe Saders way, even in the backs aside from midfield. I think Ennor with Havili is as good as Supe gets this season.
I would also give the bench to the Crusaders. Moananu vs Taukei'aho is a serious match-upGuy Smiley wrote: Wed May 07, 2025 4:52 am Fight for the top of the table and 'Saders have a game in hand after the bye... juicy.
Pretty good match ups across the park, Chiefs locks probably shade the Saders otherwise I'd have the forward balance tilted slightly toe Saders way, even in the backs aside from midfield. I think Ennor with Havili is as good as Supe gets this season.
Only 3 Kiwi sides in action this weekend, with the Canes, Highlanders, and everyone's second favourite team Moana Pasifika all having byes.
It's not hard to imagine the Blues going down in Suva tonight. The defending chumps have been exposed as very much a one man band, and if Beauden has an off night it could get ugly.
It's not hard to imagine the Blues going down in Suva tonight. The defending chumps have been exposed as very much a one man band, and if Beauden has an off night it could get ugly.
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Guy Smiley
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The Crusaders have announced 3 new inductees into their Hall of Fame...
as you'd expect of course, this is an illustrious and privileged cohort of champions...
https://crusaders.co.nz/about/halloffame/
none more so than inductee #8
as you'd expect of course, this is an illustrious and privileged cohort of champions...
https://crusaders.co.nz/about/halloffame/
none more so than inductee #8
Interesting that Mehrts is not yet in. I feel he might get overlooked because of the bloke that came after him.Guy Smiley wrote: Fri May 09, 2025 4:41 am The Crusaders have announced 3 new inductees into their Hall of Fame...
as you'd expect of course, this is an illustrious and privileged cohort of champions...
https://crusaders.co.nz/about/halloffame/
none more so than inductee #8
Drua vs Blues kicking off shortly in Suva.
Fijian Drua:
Ponipate Loganimasi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Vuate Karawalevu, Inia Tabuavou, Taniela Rakuro, Kemu Valetini, Simione Kuruvoli; Kitione Salawa, Isoa Tuwai, Joseva Tamani, Isoa Nasilasila, Mesake Vocevoce, Mesake Doge (capt), Zuriel Togiatama, Haereiti Hetet.
Reserves: Tevita Ikanivere, Peni Ravai, Samuela Tawake, Sailosi Vukalokalo, Elia Canakiavata, Philip Baselala, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Isikeli Rabitu.
Blues:
Corey Evans, Cole Forbes, Rieko Ioane, Xavi Taele, AJ Lam, Beauden Barrett, Taufa Funaki; Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i, Anton Segner, Laghlan McWhannell, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Marcel Renata, Ricky Riccitelli, Joshua Fusitu’a.
Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Mason Tupaea, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Adrian Choat, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Zarn Sullivan.
Fijian Drua:
Ponipate Loganimasi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Vuate Karawalevu, Inia Tabuavou, Taniela Rakuro, Kemu Valetini, Simione Kuruvoli; Kitione Salawa, Isoa Tuwai, Joseva Tamani, Isoa Nasilasila, Mesake Vocevoce, Mesake Doge (capt), Zuriel Togiatama, Haereiti Hetet.
Reserves: Tevita Ikanivere, Peni Ravai, Samuela Tawake, Sailosi Vukalokalo, Elia Canakiavata, Philip Baselala, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Isikeli Rabitu.
Blues:
Corey Evans, Cole Forbes, Rieko Ioane, Xavi Taele, AJ Lam, Beauden Barrett, Taufa Funaki; Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i, Anton Segner, Laghlan McWhannell, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Marcel Renata, Ricky Riccitelli, Joshua Fusitu’a.
Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Mason Tupaea, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Adrian Choat, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Zarn Sullivan.
Even though they got a hiding I love what Drua (and MP) bring to this comp.
It's great when they pan to the crowd and you see the locals who are fans of the visiting team and probably have been for years, now they get to see Soup in their own country.
It's great when they pan to the crowd and you see the locals who are fans of the visiting team and probably have been for years, now they get to see Soup in their own country.
Glen Jackson doesn't seem to be getting the best out of his team/ Maybe hes a better assistant than head coachHugo wrote: Fri May 09, 2025 1:41 pm Even though they got a hiding I love what Drua (and MP) bring to this comp.
It's great when they pan to the crowd and you see the locals who are fans of the visiting team and probably have been for years, now they get to see Soup in their own country.