NPR

I'd it Riki Swannel who did the play by play in woman's world cup final amd has done some super games/sevens tournaments since?

I've found her very good in both a main commentator and sideline comments role - adds to it without going over the top, clearly spoken and makes actual points rather than a throwaway cliche

Drua vs Blues kicking off shortly in Fiji.

Blues: 1-Ofa Tuungafasi, 2-Soane Vikena, 3-Marcel Renata, 4-Cameron Suafoa, 5-Sam Darry, 6-Adrian Choat, 7-Dalton Papali'i (c), 8-Hoskins Sotutu, 9-Finlay Christie, 10-Beauden Barrett, 11-Caleb Clarke, 12-Harry Plummer, 13-Rieko Ioane, 14-Mark Telea, 15-Zarn Sullivan
Reserves: 16-Ricky Riccitelli, 17-Jordan Lay, 18-James Lay, 19-James Tucker, 20-Akira Ioane, 21-Sam Nock, 22-Bryce Heem, 23-AJ Lam

Fijian Drua: 1-Haereiti Hetet, 2-Tevita Ikanivere, 3-Samuela Tawake, 4-Isoa Nasilasila, 5-Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 6-Vilive Miramira, 7-Kitione Salawa , 8-Elia Canakaivata, 9-Frank Lomani, 10-Teti Tela, 11-Eroni Sau, 12-Kalaveti Ravouvou, 13-Iosefo Masi , 14-Selestino Ravutaumada, 15-Ilaisa Droasese
Reserves: 16-Mesulame Dolokoto, 17-Emosi Tuqiri, 18-Jone Tiko, 19-Chris Minimbi, 20-Joseva Tamani, 21-Peni Matawalu, 22-Kemu Valetini , 23-Apisalome Vota

Drua make 30m+ from a scrum then lose the ball. Yet the ref brings them back for the penalty, saying advantage was not over.

So many handling errors today. Is Fiji that humid?

Grim viewing for most of that first half.

Sullivan's playing well when he comes into first receiver. He's a big unit who accelerates hard into contact, and he has a lovely long pass and sweet offload. And that left boot of his is an absolute cannon.

Gumboot wrote: Sat Apr 29, 2023 2:59 am Grim viewing for most of that first half.

Sullivan's playing well when he comes into first receiver. He's a big unit who accelerates hard into contact, and he has a lovely long pass and sweet offload. And that left boot of his is an absolute cannon.

Is there any chance of Rangi putting Sullivan at 10?

Perofeta is currently the back up 10 behind Barrett...

and I don't see that changing while Foster sees Barrett as a decent bloke who's always done the right thing when called on.

Guy Smiley wrote: Sat Apr 29, 2023 5:21 am Perofeta is currently the back up 10 behind Barrett...

and I don't see that changing while Foster sees Barrett as a decent bloke who's always done the right thing when called on.

My question was largely rhetorical.

Guy Smiley wrote: Sat Apr 29, 2023 5:21 am Perofeta is currently the back up 10 behind Barrett...

and I don't see that changing while Foster sees Barrett as a decent bloke who's always done the right thing when called on.

Yeah, you're probably right. But having watched both Perofeta and Sullivan closely for the last couple of years, I now think Zarn has a higher ceiling skill-wise.

How's this for a hefty ABs backline next year?

9. Cam Roigard (183cm, 88kg)
10. Zarn Sullivan (193cm, 101kg)
11. Telea (186cm, 94kg)
12. Jordie (196cm, 95kg)
13. Rieko (189cm, 103kg)
14. Stevenson (190cm, 100kg)
15. Will Jordan (188cm, 94kg)

MP season continues to be a desperate disappointment.

Gumboot wrote: Sat Apr 29, 2023 5:46 am

Guy Smiley wrote: Sat Apr 29, 2023 5:21 am Perofeta is currently the back up 10 behind Barrett...

and I don't see that changing while Foster sees Barrett as a decent bloke who's always done the right thing when called on.

Yeah, you're probably right. But having watched both Perofeta and Sullivan closely for the last couple of years, I now think Zarn has a higher ceiling skill-wise.

How's this for a hefty ABs backline next year?

9. Cam Roigard (183cm, 88kg)
10. Zarn Sullivan (193cm, 101kg)
11. Telea (186cm, 94kg)
12. Jordie (196cm, 95kg)
13. Rieko (189cm, 103kg)
14. Stevenson (190cm, 100kg)
15. Will Jordan (188cm, 94kg)

That backline would be surprisingly quick as well

McClutchie aimlessly kicking the ball away repeatedly when his side needs tries.

Rebs on retard mode. Straight fwd pen in front of post to go 3 scores ahead when a man down. Instead turn it over and MP go end to end.

Chiefs vs Saders up soon from Kirikiriroa...

Chiefs: 1-Aidan Ross, 2-Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3-George Dyer, 4-Brodie Retallick, 5-Tupou Vaa'i, 6-Samipeni Finau, 7-Sam Cane, 8-Luke Jacobson, 9-Brad Weber, 10-Damian McKenzie, 11-Etene Nanai-Seturo, 12-Rameka Poihipi, 13-Daniel Rona, 14-Emoni Narawa, 15-Shaun Stevenson
Reserves: 16-Tyrone Thompson, 17-Ollie Norris, 18-John Ryan, 19-Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20- Pita Gus Sowakula, 21-Cortez Ratima, 22-Bryn Gatland, 23-Lalomilo Lalomilo

Crusaders: 1-Joe Moody, 2-Codie Taylor, 3-Tamaiti Williams, 4-Scott Barrett, 5-Sam Whitelock, 6-Dom Gardiner, 7-Tom Christie, 8-Cullen Grace, 9-Mitch Drummond, 10-Richie Mo'unga, 11-Leicester Fainga'anuku, 12-David Havili, 13-Braydon Ennor, 14-Dallas McLeod, 15-Fergus Burke
Reserves: 16-Brodie McAlister, 17-Finlay Brewis, 18-Oliver Jager, 19-Quinten Strange, 20-Christian Lo-Willie, 21-Willi Heinz, 22-Jack Goodhue, 23-Macca Springer

Angus Gardner

Fainga'anuku vs DMac -- always going to be only one winner there

This is not a game you want to miss. Living up to its billing.

Ymx wrote: Sat Apr 29, 2023 7:16 am This is not a game you want to miss. Living up to its billing.

Sadly I have to get off. Hope I can find a catch up later.

Between the forwards and Drummond they are rapid in their ruck speed on attack.

That was a bad miss by Mo

Two poor kicks by Drummond in a row -- too deep to put pressure on the player catching the ball

DMac under severe pressure

Good try Scooter

TMO harsh on Crusaders

Kicking into your own man

Gardiner going overtime against the Crusaders.

Kiwias wrote: Sat Apr 29, 2023 7:30 am Two poor kicks by Drummond in a row -- too deep to put pressure on the player catching the ball

It’s going to be a long night by the look of it. Drummond hasn’t woken up at all.

That was not forward ffs.

Kiwias wrote: Sat Apr 29, 2023 7:30 am DMac under severe pressure

They're doing a great job of closing down his space.

Macakenzie is under big pressure and isn’t adapting to it. He’s got lucky three times now, but if he doesn’t start getting things away more quickly the Chiefs will get hammered in the second half.

Gardiner being very tough on Crusaders, all marginal calls going to the Chiefs

Kiwias wrote: Sat Apr 29, 2023 7:38 am Gardiner being very tough on Crusaders, all marginal calls going to the Chiefs

He’s just doing his normal thing.

Kiwias wrote: Sat Apr 29, 2023 7:38 am Gardiner being very tough on Crusaders, all marginal calls going to the Chiefs

you mean Crusaders getting called for all the bullshit they normally get away with.

Biffer wrote: Sat Apr 29, 2023 7:52 am

Kiwias wrote: Sat Apr 29, 2023 7:38 am Gardiner being very tough on Crusaders, all marginal calls going to the Chiefs

you mean Crusaders getting called for all the bullshit they normally get away with.

Predictable.

Biffer wrote: Sat Apr 29, 2023 7:52 am

Kiwias wrote: Sat Apr 29, 2023 7:38 am Gardiner being very tough on Crusaders, all marginal calls going to the Chiefs

you mean Crusaders getting called for all the bullshit they normally get away with.

Games between these two teams normally see a pretty even input from both in the niggle stakes. Gardner tends to get a hard on for one team early and then gets very, very pedantic. he gets way too involved in games.

Biffer wrote: Sat Apr 29, 2023 7:52 am

Kiwias wrote: Sat Apr 29, 2023 7:38 am Gardiner being very tough on Crusaders, all marginal calls going to the Chiefs

you mean Crusaders getting called for all the bullshit they normally get away with.

This. Lovely to see.

Go Chiefs.

Lovely try

PT... and no card

oh no... found one

Penalty try and very delayed YC

Damn, Jacobson's having a great game.