Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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Networkn
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#3364938 17-Apr-2025 09:13

Ioane Moananu and Kyle Preston are two excellent finds this season for the Crusaders.

Who are other teams top finds?

Sualli from the tahs looks like Australias next Folou, that guy has some wheels and skills!

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#3364944 17-Apr-2025 09:30

Reiko off the Leinester. Probably not that surprising he is taking a sabbatical.

Earbanean

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#3364945 17-Apr-2025 09:34

networkn:

Reiko off the Leinester. Probably not that surprising he is taking a sabbatical.

This is really good for the ABs. It gives clear air to look at long term replacements. I'd say there's a significant chance he won't get back in when he returns. IMO, that's no bad thing.

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#3364949 17-Apr-2025 09:40

Earbanean:

This is really good for the ABs. It gives clear air to look at long term replacements. I'd say there's a significant chance he won't get back in when he returns. IMO, that's no bad thing.

As I understand it, he won't miss any tests, he is going December to June. Those Sabbaticals are intended to ensure the person taking them isn't disadvantaged due to their absence.

In my view he didn't warrant selection last year, and certainly not continued selection throughout the season, and I don't see much different this year.

Having said that, too many changes can break teams, and he is fairly dependable on defense.

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#3364966 17-Apr-2025 10:27

I'd sort of been assuming the sabbaticals wouldn't just walk back in for June tests. Will be interesting to see what happens with Jordie.

Yeah, I think it's Ioane's defence that has been keeping him in. That's the first thing coaches and team mates seem to mention when he's discussed.

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#3364968 17-Apr-2025 10:34

Earbanean:

I'd sort of been assuming the sabbaticals wouldn't just walk back in for June tests. Will be interesting to see what happens with Jordie.

Yeah, I think it's Ioane's defence that has been keeping him in. That's the first thing coaches and team mates seem to mention when he's discussed.

It will be interesting to see how he performs overseas. His handling error rate is exceptionally high for a senior AB, and his tendency to hog the ball or make poor distribution choices have never significantly improved.

I imagine there won't be a shortage of people over there prepared to give him an honest assessment.

Perhaps though, the change might clear his mind and give him what he needs to get back to his best. There was a period where he looked excellent in both attack and defense, even if he wasn't scoring the tries.

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#3365125 18-Apr-2025 09:06

I haven't followed the Aupiki tournament at all this year, though I watched extended highlights of the final between the Blues and Warratahs. That was extremely one-sided. The physicality between the teams was a chasm.

Braxton Sorensen-McGee is an absolute rocket.

I wasn't aware Portia Woodman-Whitcliff had moved to centre, I guess that further supports career extending properties of that conversion.

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#3365478 18-Apr-2025 21:40

That was a tight match. I am happy with the Crusaders defence. They won the way a traditional Crusaders side does, scrum for a penalty.

Christchurch has a great record of welcoming overseas players and making them feel at home.

I thought the Blues could have got there, they played with a pretty decent amount of intensity. They got their own back for the Final a couple of years back, stealing our lineouts.

That pass by Havilli was just absolutely awesome, and that hail mary pass by #mosthated was a once in a lifetime thing.

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#3368460 29-Apr-2025 09:45

The Crusaders defense over the weekend was a statement performance. It's been building significantly over the past 5 weeks, but this looks like the defensive systems of the Crusaders of old. I put this down to Matt Todd who was involved in that era of Crusaders and for whom I always thought was underrated for his rugby brain. I think the combination of coaches at the Crusaders seem well balanced now.

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#3368735 29-Apr-2025 12:58

Les Kiss to be named Wallabies Coach. Interesting choice. Larkham pulling out a few weeks ago, pretty much made it a one horse race.

I don't know much about him.

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#3368757 29-Apr-2025 14:10

ABs v Boks tickets on sale tomorrow. Can't wait. Eden Park will be a must see, with the ABs unbeaten streak coming up against the world campions.

I was at the game the last time the ABs lost at Eden Park. Hopefully that doesn't repeat. I was also there for 3 x World Cup final wins though, so I'd be happy for more like that.

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#3368763 29-Apr-2025 14:38

Earbanean:

I was at the game the last time the ABs lost at Eden Park.

So it was your fault? I think it's reasonable you stay away under the circumstances! :)

It's the one game I don't want to lose this year. I never like losing, but holy crap, we will NEVER hear the end of it.

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#3369415 1-May-2025 10:19

I am a fan of the switch of branding partner from Ineos to Toyota. Probably a less derisive/controversial brand and hopefully, a more reliable partner.

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#3369422 1-May-2025 10:50

networkn:

I am a fan of the switch of branding partner from Ineos to Toyota. Probably a less derisive/controversial brand and hopefully, a more reliable partner.

Might mean a game in Yokohama or Tokyo being added to the start of the Northern tour next year, or subsequent years.

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#3369466 1-May-2025 12:07

Earbanean:

Might mean a game in Yokohama or Tokyo being added to the start of the Northern tour next year, or subsequent years.

I have no issue with that to be honest.

We make decent money in those matches and it potentially gives us a window to try some new things or talent, or give new players more game time.

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