Super Rugby 2025 Thread

[Gumboot]

Saders ahead 21-0 at HT. Landers are their own worst enemies. Fakatava failing to take a walk-in try on 20" was a real shocker.

[Kiwias]

Saders ahead 21-0 at HT. Landers are their own worst enemies. Fakatava failing to take a walk-in try on 20" was a real shocker.

That really was a howler of a miss

[Gumboot]

Solid 43-10 win to the Saders, who join the Chiefs at the top of the table.

[Gumboot]

Up next, the Brumbies host the Canes in Canberra.

Brumbies:
Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau, David Feliuai, Corey Toole, Noah Lolesio, Ryan Lonergan, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Luke Reimer, Rob Valetini, Tom Hooper, Nick Frost, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Billy Pollard, James Slipper.
Reserves: Lachlan Lonergan, Rhys van Nek, Feao Fotuaika, Lachlan Shaw, Rory Scott, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford.

Hurricanes:
Callum Harkin, Ngatungane Punivai, Billy Proctor (cc), Riley Higgins, Kini Naholo, Ruben Love, Cam Roigard; Peter Lakai, Du’Plessis Kirifi (cc), Brad Shields (cc), Zach Gallagher, Caleb Delany, Pasilio Tosi, Raymond Tuputupu, Tevita Mafileo.
Reserves: Jacob Devery, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Will Tucker, Brayden Iose, Ereatara Enari, Riley Hohepa, Bailyn Sullivan.

I don't really fancy the Canes' chances in this one, tbh.

[Kiwias]

Another strong performance by the lads. Not sure what Penny has done but S Barrett looks a lot fitter than last year.

[Sandstorm]

Naholo is making Muirhead his plaything down the left hand side.

10-10 30 mins

[Gumboot]

Canes ahead 20-15 at HT.

Impressed with the Higgins/Proctor midfield.

[Kiwias]

Canes ahead 20-15 at HT.

Impressed with the Higgins/Proctor midfield.

They do look good, almost as good as Havili/McLeod perhaps

[Gumboot]

Terrific 35-29 win to the Canes.

[Kiwias]

That was an impressive performance by the Canes for a deserved win against a team that is tough to beat at home.

[Hugo]

Crazy to think that the Canes have lost twice to the Blues this season.

[Firewater]

Canes ahead 20-15 at HT.

Impressed with the Higgins/Proctor midfield.

Higgins and Proctor made a huge difference. Sullivan, apart from the NSW game, was ordinary at best. And the contrast between a limited passer in PUJ and an excellent passer in Higgins was noticeable

Love also was VG at first

The Canes starting team was close to about right esp considering injuries and rotation., But some of the reserves need to eb moved on. Ereatara Enari & Hohepa are not even clsoe to the required level. I would look for someone other than Sullivan too. I don;t rate Tucker (IWL hopefully returns next week) or Iose either but who else is there. But Viljoen is a much better option at HB and Harkin first so why do they select rubbish when their are other much better options

[Flockwitt]

Yep. Got the backline working. Love stepping into the role and improving at it also helping. Still not the depth or ability in the Canes squad as noted. Miss Flanders.

[Gumboot]

Woeful Blues still need one more win to match the woeful 2024 Saders woeful win tally.

How can two champion sides go from shit-hot one year to shithouse the next? The Saders terrible season was somewhat understandable given the new coach, plethora of injuries etc, but were the Blues so dependent on Akira Ioane that they mentally crumbled the moment he left? It's all very odd.

[Gumboot]

Just a couple of random thoughts about last night's southern derby...

Anyone else feel that Tavatavanawai's form has dropped off a bit after his excellent start to the season? It can't help him being moved between positions, but the Saders targetted him repeatedly and man did he struggle on defence. I'm starting to wonder whether his ABs chances may be slipping away; that maybe he's not quite good enough at second five, and not quite good enough on the wing.

Tom Christie had his best game in ages, given the start due to Blackadder's latest injury absence. Thought he was an improvement on the latter, tbh. He was very accurate in everything he did, and a real nuisance at the breakdown. Hope he gets another start, regardless of Blackadder's fitness.

[Gumboot]

Anton Lienert-Brown goooone for the rest of Supe with a broken clavicle.

Bugger.

[Enzedder]

Team for the Canes clash on Saturday. Backs look vulnerable - need some injury recoveries asap.

Gallagher Chiefs v Hurricanes, 7.05PM, Saturday 3 May 2025, Sky Stadium, Wellington

Ollie Norris
Bradley Slater
George Dyer
Josh Lord
Tupou Vaa’i
Samipeni Finau
Kaylum Boshier
Luke Jacobson (c)
Cortez Ratima
Josh Jacomb
Leroy Carter
Quinn Tupaea
Daniel Rona
Emoni Narawa
Shaun Stevenson
Reserves:

Samisoni Taukei’aho
Aidan Ross
Reuben O’Neill
Naitoa Ah Kuoi
Simon Parker
Wallace Sititi
Xavier Roe
Gideon Wrampling
Players unavailable due to injury:

Damian McKenzie, Hand, Returning Soon
Etene Nanai-Seturo, Hamstring, Returning Soon
Kaleb Trask, Ankle, TBC
Liam Coombes-Fabling, Knee, Mid-term
Anton Lienert Brown, Collarbone, Mid-term
Malachi Wrampling, Hamstring, Mid-term
Fiti Sa, Shoulder, Long-term
Rameka Poihipi, Knee, Season

[Kiwias]

Enzed

How many of those injured are normal first-team starters? DMac and ALB definitely.

[Gumboot]

Interesting Blues side to play the Force on Friday...

Blues:
Stephen Perofeta, 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, Cam Christie, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Corey Evans.

No Telea, of course. But also no Fin Christie or Zarn Sullivan, and neither of them is listed as injured.

Looking forward to watching Xavi Taela again, and it's great to see Perofeta back for only his 2nd start in an injury blighted season.

[Guy Smiley]

Canes to face the Chiefs...

HURRICANES (1-15): Tevita Mafileo, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Kini Nanolo, Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor (co-c), Ngatungane Punivai, Callum Harkin

Replacements: Raymond Tuputupu, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Zach Gallagher, Brad Shields (co-c), Ereatara Enari, Riley Hohepa, Bailyn Sullivan

This is going to be a good game, looking forward to it.

[Gumboot]

Canes to face the Chiefs...

HURRICANES (1-15): Tevita Mafileo, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Kini Nanolo, Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor (co-c), Ngatungane Punivai, Callum Harkin

Replacements: Raymond Tuputupu, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Zach Gallagher, Brad Shields (co-c), Ereatara Enari, Riley Hohepa, Bailyn Sullivan

This is going to be a good game, looking forward to it.

Yep, should be a cracker.

[Kiwias]

Canes to face the Chiefs...

HURRICANES (1-15): Tevita Mafileo, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Kini Nanolo, Riley Higgins, Billy Proctor (co-c), Ngatungane Punivai, Callum Harkin

Replacements: Raymond Tuputupu, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Zach Gallagher, Brad Shields (co-c), Ereatara Enari, Riley Hohepa, Bailyn Sullivan

This is going to be a good game, looking forward to it.

Love vs Jacomb is a tasty head-to-head

[Gumboot]

Stoked that Folau Fakatava has re-signed with NZ Rugby till 2027. It's a crowded field, but I really hope he gets another crack at test footy at some stage.

[Kiwias]

Buggery fuck. I expect to see Reihana starting and JOC continuing his role off the bench.

[Guy Smiley]

Bugger, that's terrible luck for him.

Bright side... he's got time to rehab and regain form to throw his hat in the ring for RWC consideration. I've had to scratch around a bit more this year than last to find the Aotearoa Rugby Pod and it seems that Sky have dicked about with what was a great format, so that there's a lot of (Ashley and Martin) Turning Point segments where they discuss players and positions. I don't agree with them that 10 is a two horse race as I think there are several emerging candidates for that AB spot and Kemara is one of them.

( I think we need to get a bit brave now with the AB 10 spot with time getting short and age working against the two incumbents, especially BB )

As for the Saders, Reihana looked perfectly at home there last week with good skills and organisation to his game. Opportunity comes knocking for him and good luck for that. The JOC off the bench is working well and JOC himself is relishing the role. It's bad luck for Kemara but the Saders look to have cover and the situation isn't dire.

[Kiwias]

( I think we need to get a bit brave now with the AB 10 spot with time getting short and age working against the two incumbents, especially BB )

This exactly. Get two youngsters in asap and let them grow into the position. Kemara is so close to being one of those two

[Gumboot]

You guys aren't seriously suggesting dumping both DMac and BB from the All Blacks?

Love's started just two Supe games at 10, and I'm sorry but Kemara's goalkicking is still way too inconsistent for him to warrant serious consideration. Their time will come, but dropping our two experienced incumbents for a pair of largely unproven noobs before the next RWC would be madness, imho.

[Kiwias]

You guys aren't seriously suggesting dumping both DMac and BB from the All Blacks?

Love's started just two Supe games at 10, and I'm sorry but Kemara's goalkicking is still way too inconsistent for him to warrant serious consideration. Their time will come, but dropping our two experienced incumbents for a pair of largely unproven noobs before the next RWC would be madness, imho.

We know Jordan is a lock at 15 so start DMac at 10 with the youngster (one of Jacomb, Love, Kemara) on the bench and getting decent game time. BB on the bench covering 15? It is not smart medium to long-term thinking to have both BB and DMac in the squad taking space from a youngster

[Guy Smiley]

You guys aren't seriously suggesting dumping both DMac and BB from the All Blacks?

Love's started just two Supe games at 10, and I'm sorry but Kemara's goalkicking is still way too inconsistent for him to warrant serious consideration. Their time will come, but dropping our two experienced incumbents for a pair of largely unproven noobs before the next RWC would be madness, imho.

Not dropping but we need replacements getting ready, now.

Think back to Beaver slipping into a kiddies' size jersey to kick a penalty in a RWC final and how many candidates fell by the wayside before that happened.

We have.... none.

Kemara had two weeks of the yips, otherwise his goalkicking is fine. His game management is fine. I think he's surpassed Perofeta in the pecking order.

Love has been on tour and represented at lower levels. He's ready to be in the picture.

That doesn't mean dropping incumbents for rookies. It means getting the rookies in and exposed. Two different things.

[Firewater]

Interesting Blues side to play the Force on Friday...

Blues:
Stephen Perofeta, 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, Cam Christie, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Corey Evans.

No Telea, of course. But also no Fin Christie or Zarn Sullivan, and neither of them is listed as injured.

Looking forward to watching Xavi Taela again, and it's great to see Perofeta back for only his 2nd start in an injury blighted season.

I don't think Lam and Reiko are the best combination so see how Taele goes. And the team looks much better with Barrett starting

[Gumboot]

I don't think Lam and Reiko are the best combination so see how Taele goes. And the team looks much better with Barrett starting

Yep, think I probably prefer both Ioane and Lam on the wing, rather than in the midfield.

Tonight could be the end of the road for the Blues. If Swain starts picking off their lineout and Tizzano decides to score a few tries, it could be a long night for the hapless champs.

Can Vern manage to goad a balls to the wall performance out of his charges, or will they go out with a wimper?

Kick off in about 20 minutes...

[Kiwias]

Are the Force trying to lose this match?

[Gumboot]

Blues leading 12-7 at HT. Force have had plenty of chances but Blues at least hanging in there... so far.

[Gumboot]

Beauden looked pissed off about the lack of Blues kick chasers. Tonight's part-time wings getting a bit exposed?

[Gumboot]

Blues prevail 40-19, and boy did they need that! Beauden ran things well, and Taele was very good again.

Force well beaten in the second half, but they really should've scored more points in the first.

[Sandstorm]

Blues prevail 40-19, and boy did they need that! Beauden ran things well, and Taele was very good again.

Force well beaten in the second half, but they really should've scored more points in the first.

Indeed. Force #14 Harry Potter is a try scorer who needs more ball and support from his backline.

[Guy Smiley]

I watched about 20 minutes... didn't have a dog in the fight, not really interested enough in either team to be able to overcome the sound of Beaver's droning commentary. I just can't put up with that sort of thing anymore unless I've got enough interest ina team to be able to tune it out or turn it down.

Fucknose how broadcasters think they're appealing to new viewers with that standard of presentation.

[Gumboot]

Early 2:05pm kick off in Suva today between the cellar-dweller Drua and the champ-spanking Reds...

[Kiwias]

Unusual penalty for the Drua when the Reds blindside flanker grabbed the Drua 9's ankle at a scrum, preventing him from getting to the back of the scrum.

[Gumboot]

Felt a bit sorry for the Reds left wing there, having to defend against Waga all on his lonesome.