NPR

Match of the round kicking off soon in Christchurch.

Crusaders:
Will Jordan, Chay Fihaki, Braydon Ennor, David Havili (capt), Sevu Reece, Rivez Reihana, Noah Hotham, Christian Lio-Willie, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Antonio Shalfoon, Scott Barrett, Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams.
Reserves: Ioane Moananu, George Bower, Seb Calder, Jamie Hannah, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, James O'Connor, Dallas McLeod.

Chiefs:
Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Daniel Rona, Quinn Tupaea, Leroy Carter, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima, Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson (capt), Simon Parker, Tupou Vaa’i, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, George Dyer, Brodie McAlister, Ollie Norris.
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross, Reuben O’Neill, Josh Lord, Samipeni Finau, Xavier Roe, Josh Jacomb, Gideon Wrampling.

Saders have a big home advantage. Chiefs chances hinge on DMac's form on his return from injury.

Should be a belter.

Is Rivez Reihana any relation to Bruce?

I would not complain were Hotham not to kick as much

Saders ahead 19-10 at HT.

The sort of hard battle we expected and hoped for from the two top sides. Should be a great second half. I hope Jordan's injury is not too serious

Very poor kick from Hotham gives Chiefs a 5m attacking lineout

Chiefs strike twice early in 2H and now lead 22 - 19

Ref must have heard me yelling at the Sadists ruck interference. Bet he doesn't follow thru though.

What a great game

Enzedder wrote: Sat May 10, 2025 8:30 am Ref must have heard me yelling at the Sadists ruck interference. Bet he doesn't follow thru though.

What a great game

Follow through and call the Chiefs for the same offences? Doubt he will

Chiefs really lifted their game in the 2H

To quote Meg ,- brutal

This is surprising me

Enzedder wrote: Sat May 10, 2025 8:42 am To quote Meg ,- brutal

This is surprising me

Chiefs have been brutal in this half, not letting the Crusaders get any momentum at all.

Terrific effort by the Chiefs to hold the Saders scoreless in the second half and win it 35-19.

Just watched the highlights of the Chch game, and a couple of personal highlights were...

DMac's composure guiding the Chiefs around the park in the second half, scoring the try just after the break, and goalkicking well - one missed conversion aside.

I also thought Tom Christie had another good game, and he's now ahead of Blackadder on form (and fitness!) for mine.

I really hope Razor selects Narawa to start against France.

Most enjoyable moment for me: Fletcher Newell's outstanding but ultimately futile chase when Leroy Carter scored his long range try. Damn near caught the renowned speedster on the Saders 22, as well. Never knew he was that rapid.

Gumboot wrote: Sat May 10, 2025 10:21 pm

Most enjoyable moment for me: Fletcher Newell's outstanding but ultimately futile chase when Leroy Carter scored his long range try. Damn near caught the renowned speedster on the Saders 22, as well. Never knew he was that rapid.

Haha!

That was a finish, he did a number on the Saders cover defender with his in and out.

I caught a 13 minute highlights package off youtube, working last night and didn't remember to check the result all night.

Interesting for me is that when the Crusaders have been beaten this year it's been through other teams bossing them up front. There's a weakness there. Also interesting is the amount of feeling in this fixture that erupts every game, along with the constant niggle. Coming from Canterbury and living in the BoP, that emotion is an added factor in trying to understand the various motivations at play and McMillan clearly tapped into some of that at 1/2 time.

I wonder if he'll manage to finish up at the Chiefs with a season win? and how will they go under a new coach who may come into the environment from outside the 'Chiefs Mana' vibe.

Guy Smiley wrote: Sun May 11, 2025 4:35 am I caught a 13 minute highlights package off youtube, working last night and didn't remember to check the result all night.

Interesting for me is that when the Crusaders have been beaten this year it's been through other teams bossing them up front. There's a weakness there. Also interesting is the amount of feeling in this fixture that erupts every game, along with the constant niggle. Coming from Canterbury and living in the BoP, that emotion is an added factor in trying to understand the various motivations at play and McMillan clearly tapped into some of that at 1/2 time.

I wonder if he'll manage to finish up at the Chiefs with a season win? and how will they go under a new coach who may come into the environment from outside the 'Chiefs Mana' vibe.

Yep Guy, the Chiefs apart from maybe front row were well dominant in forwards, the Crusaders loosie weren't in game. I thought Vai'i at lock was close to MOTM, and is best lock in NZ this season. But loosies were great, I still wonder why Jacobson isn't lauded more he is bloody good, as was Sititi. Backs went well from there with having good front foot ball.

Of course I only saw a highlights package Dan... but the Crusaders were three tries up at HT after some serious forward work close into the line.

It wasn't all one way traffic. It was the classic game of two halves.

Crusaders team to play Waratahs at 6:35PM (Japan-time) this Friday, in Sydney



Players unavailable for selection due to injury:
Scott BARRETT Thumb sprain 1-2 weeks
Fletcher NEWELL Achilles 1-2 weeks
Ethan BLACKADDER Hamstring 3 weeks
Xavier SAIFOLOI Knee (medial ligament) 3 weeks
Will JORDAN Knee (medial ligament) TBC
Finlay BREWIS Shoulder (surgery) Out for the season
Taha Kemara Knee (surgery) Out for the season
Dom GARDINER Foot (surgery) Out for the season

Teams for the Auckland derby on Saturday...

Moana Pasifika:
Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, Tom Savage, Samuel Slade, Miracle Faiilagi, Ardie Savea (c), Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Kyren Taumoefolau, Danny Toala, Lalomilo Lalamilo, Tevita Ofa, William Havili
Reserves: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Allan Craig, Sione Havili Talitui, Melani Matavao, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Julian Savea

Blues:
Joshua Fusitu'a, Ricky Riccitelli, Angus Ta'avao, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Josh Beehre, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali'i, Hoskins Sotutu, Taufa Funaki, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Xavi Taele, Rieko Ioane, AJ Lam, Corey Evans
Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Mason Tupaea, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Cam Christie, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes

Glad that Tana's come to his senses and Pellegrini's back starting.

Gumboot wrote: Wed May 14, 2025 5:55 am Teams for the Auckland derby on Saturday...

Moana Pasifika:
Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, Tom Savage, Samuel Slade, Miracle Faiilagi, Ardie Savea (c), Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Jonathan Taumateine, Patrick Pellegrini, Kyren Taumoefolau, Danny Toala, Lalomilo Lalamilo, Tevita Ofa, William Havili
Reserves: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Allan Craig, Sione Havili Talitui, Melani Matavao, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Julian Savea

Blues:
Joshua Fusitu'a, Ricky Riccitelli, Angus Ta'avao, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Josh Beehre, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali'i, Hoskins Sotutu, Taufa Funaki, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Xavi Taele, Rieko Ioane, AJ Lam, Corey Evans
Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Mason Tupaea, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Cam Christie, Finlay Christie, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes

Glad that Tana's come to his senses and Pellegrini's back starting.

This game is mouth watering. I've a feeling Moana are going to give Blues a little payback for that hiding at Eden Park.

Suaalii out...

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/joseph-au ... ns-2025514

NSW Waratahs superstar Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will not feature for the rest of the Super Rugby Pacific season after a fractured jaw.

Suaalii went down in their defeat to the Queensland Reds after picking up a concussion,

However, further scans have picked up a small fracture in his jaw, which will see him sidelined for at least a month.

This rules him out for the rest of the Waratahs' season, however, will not keep him out of the British & Irish Lions series at this stage.

A slight relief for Saders' fans ahead of this week's game but damn, I was looking forward to seeing him in action. I hope he recovers well in time for the Lions' series.

Guy Smiley wrote: Wed May 14, 2025 8:09 am Suaalii out...

https://www.rugby.com.au/news/joseph-au ... ns-2025514

NSW Waratahs superstar Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will not feature for the rest of the Super Rugby Pacific season after a fractured jaw.

Suaalii went down in their defeat to the Queensland Reds after picking up a concussion,

However, further scans have picked up a small fracture in his jaw, which will see him sidelined for at least a month.

This rules him out for the rest of the Waratahs' season, however, will not keep him out of the British & Irish Lions series at this stage.

A slight relief for Saders' fans ahead of this week's game but damn, I was looking forward to seeing him in action. I hope he recovers well in time for the Lions' series.

I was really looking forward to seeing Jordan and Sualii head to head but neither will be playing

Jesus - don't play the Chiefs when they are hurting from a hiding.

Players unavailable for selection due to injury:
Scott BARRETT Thumb sprain 1-2 weeks
Fletcher NEWELL Achilles 1-2 weeks
Ethan BLACKADDER Hamstring 3 weeks
Xavier SAIFOLOI Knee (medial ligament) 3 weeks
Will JORDAN Knee (medial ligament) TBC
Finlay BREWIS Shoulder (surgery) Out for the season
Taha Kemara Knee (surgery) Out for the season
Dom GARDINER Foot (surgery) Out for the season

Hope you guys can pull one out as well, Kiwias

Canes vs Highlanders just about to kick off in Wellington...

Damn that was a fine try by the Clan

That is one of the best tries I’ve ever seen.

Spectacular from the Clan

Highlanders ahead 14-7 at HT.

Good game so far.

A very entertaining game played to a high standard at pace.


Terrible.

Looks as if the Canes have sneaked it after 80m

A try after 81 minutes of bone crunching no holds barred rugby... well done to the Canes and commiserations for the Clan who damn near did enough.

Brutal.

Canes win it at the death with a Roigard try 24-20.

Thought they'd blown it when they didn't take the kick with 5 minutes to go.

Hard luck, Highlanders. Almost won it with some great defence.

I thought there was nothing between the two halves all night. Fakatava is back to his efficient best. Both made a couple of errors and there were a couple of early passes to feet from both but that was an enthralling battle within the overall...

and Love was just superb.

Guy Smiley wrote: Fri May 16, 2025 9:00 am I thought there was nothing between the two halves all night. Fakatava is back to his efficient best. Both made a couple of errors and there were a couple of early passes to feet from both but that was an enthralling battle within the overall...

and Love was just superb.

It was a great break upfield by Love that got the Canes into position to score the last try. As you said, both halfbacks were in great form.

Love's nailing his kicks, too.

Coming up in Sydney, the Waratahs hosting the Crusaders.

The Saders often struggle against the Tahs, but after last week's humiliating loss to the Chiefs at home, I expect them to come out breathing fire...

McNicholl is in great form

This is comforting.

Gumboot wrote: Fri May 16, 2025 9:23 am Coming up in Sydney, the Waratahs hosting the Crusaders.

The Saders often struggle against the Tahs, but after last week's humiliating loss to the Chiefs at home, I expect them to come out breathing fire...

As we expected. Playing very well as a team.

Saders running rampant 31-7 at HT.

I wonder if Enz is up looking for a stream...

https://www.vipbox.lc/rugby/waratahs-vs ... ers-3-live