Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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Networkn
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#3381907 9-Jun-2025 08:40

maoriboy:

Sad to hear that Stu Wilson has passed away. A gentleman of the game, he played with what seemed like real joy. He was a pleasure to watch. Him and John Kirwan were the wingers I aspired to be the most growing up. Met him quite some years back in Wellington and he was engaging and as lovely as I expected him to be. A great loss to the rugby community.

Initially, I mixed him up with Jeff Wilson. I don't know much about Stu. What I do know, is they don't make them like they used to. We are losing a class of people, I am not certain we are replacing with similar quality people.

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#3381908 9-Jun-2025 08:44

Is Christie the worst half back in NZ right now? He looks so slow and cumbersome and Saturday night was his worst performance in quite a while.

I am not entirely sure who takes 2nd and third place half back this season for the AB's. Hotham has been playing well, though he's still pretty green at the next level, Fakataka is hot and cold.

I know I'll get the typical eye roll, but I'd like to see Preston get more game time to see if he is a potential option for the AB's.

Ratima perhaps?

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#3383646 13-Jun-2025 13:37

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/all-blacks-add-new-coach-to-scott-robertsons-team-as-bryn-evans-named-lineout-coach/OMM5ZLG3ZZBZ7FHCFTERMFGO2Q/

I can understand those who show concerns about the number of coaches in the AB's setup. I feel like it potentially also creates gaps at Super Rugby Level coaching, which potentially impacts the number and quality of players who advance to AB's longer term.

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#3383846 14-Jun-2025 08:57

Blues v Crusaders Semi

That was closer than I thought it would be. I wasn't really 'worried' much throughout the game and I was super happy with our defence on the whole. It's been a hallmark of this season I think.

The Blues really should have had a guy in the bin with that penalty count.

Rob Penney got a lot of flack last year, but I really quite like his pretty calm demeanour and the way he talks about his players and his other coaches (Whenever the Crusders scored, he was patting the coaches responsible on the back etc).

To turn around a team that significantly (I remain convinced most of last years issues were related to bedding in a new coaching group and massive injuries), and to have such a great discipline record this year, compared to under Robertson/Blackadder has been a highlight for me.

I really don't want to lose our home finals record, 31-0 is pretty freaking incredible, but I also wouldn't really begrudge the Chiefs sending MacMillan out on a high.

It will be really nice to sit back tonight and not have a horse in the race.

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#3384618 16-Jun-2025 09:30

Chiefs v Brumbies, I had a preference to playing the Brumbies in the final as I perceive them less likely to be able to win a final away.

Chiefs were on a different level and will pose a significant challenge to beat in the final. Crusaders defense has been pretty epic this season, as has their discipline. If we can get some points early and get in their faces and nullify attacks early we have a decent chance, but giving them space is going to be problematic, and defending for 80 minutes isn't likely going to end well.

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#3384674 16-Jun-2025 12:59

networkn:

Blues v Crusaders Semi

The Blues really should have had a guy in the bin with that penalty count.

The Crusaders were also pretty good at infringing on their own line, and didn't end up with anyone in the bin. There was also a clear neck-roll in the lead-up to the try in the 2nd half that was not reviewed. Considering how the 'dangerous play' risk element seemed to matter when Sotutu did something, it's quite something that everyone missed it when it was clear as day even on a replay, but not notably called back.

I mean ultimately the Blues played well to get as far as they did recently, but they should not put themselves in a position where they need to go to Canterbury and expect a fair crack at actually beating the Crusaders. Almost every 50/50 call is going to go against you, the best way to avoid that issue is to play better early in the regular season and make it academic.

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#3384677 16-Jun-2025 13:06

GV27:

The Crusaders were also pretty good at infringing on their own line, and didn't end up with anyone in the bin. There was also a clear neck-roll in the lead-up to the try in the 2nd half that was not reviewed. Considering how the 'dangerous play' risk element seemed to matter when Sotutu did something, it's quite something that everyone missed it when it was clear as day even on a replay, but not notably called back.

I mean ultimately the Blues played well to get as far as they did recently, but they should not put themselves in a position where they need to go to Canterbury and expect a fair crack at actually beating the Crusaders. Almost every 50/50 call is going to go against you, the best way to avoid that issue is to play better early in the regular season and make it academic.

Is this an attempt at a wind up, or what you actually believe? Genuine question.

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#3384795 16-Jun-2025 16:39

GV27:

networkn:

Blues v Crusaders Semi

The Blues really should have had a guy in the bin with that penalty count.

The Crusaders were also pretty good at infringing on their own line, and didn't end up with anyone in the bin. There was also a clear neck-roll in the lead-up to the try in the 2nd half that was not reviewed. Considering how the 'dangerous play' risk element seemed to matter when Sotutu did something, it's quite something that everyone missed it when it was clear as day even on a replay, but not notably called back.

I mean ultimately the Blues played well to get as far as they did recently, but they should not put themselves in a position where they need to go to Canterbury and expect a fair crack at actually beating the Crusaders. Almost every 50/50 call is going to go against you, the best way to avoid that issue is to play better early in the regular season and make it academic.

I 100% agree with this. The Blues had the Crusaders on the ropes in that first half and they infringed several times in a row as they held on for dear life. The warning should have come sooner and there should have been a card when the warning was eventually given.

The Blues shouldn't have lost the game from that start but as they lost their discipline in the second half it was clear how it was going to end up.

The Blues infringing to hang on in the second half was no different to the Crusaders infringing in the first half. Both teams should have had cards. However, the lack of carding the Crusaders had the biggest effect on the game because if the Blues had gone 21-0 up that was a different game.

The yellow card for Sotutu also shows how the head clash rules can make a mockery of the intent. I'm no Sotutu fan, I think he's a cry baby and that's one of the reasons he didn't make the ABs (attitude), but there was nowhere for him to go once the Crusaders player was changing direction.

Gotta give it to the Blues, that was a hell of an effort at the end to try and tie the game up to go to extra time, but they were shot and I don't believe extra time would have gone well for the Blues.

Anyway, my Hurricanes are well out so I'll be supporting the Chiefs this weekend. Break the hoodoo down there. I can't stand that arrogant Sevu Reece jumping around like an English forward every time they get a penalty or turnover.

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#3385020 17-Jun-2025 10:21

On a completely different note, I had a few hours to waste in Tauranga on the weekend, went for a walk and accidentally wondered into what looked like a first XV game - Tauranga Boys College v Napier. Don't remember the last time I enjoyed a live game of rugby this much. Skill, passion, flare, tenacity, speed - it was all there.

Hello, Ground!

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#3385067 17-Jun-2025 14:03

AB's Selection Time is approaching.

Anyone care to suggest potential bolters?

Christian Leo-Willie, Fabian Holland, probably a little too little game time for Preston, but Ioane Moananu has been really impressive. Timoci Tavatavanawai seemed on fire everytime I watched a game he played in.

I watched quite a number of less games this year, so I am not as up to the form sheet as I mostly only watched the Crusaders play and half a dozen other games that interested me.

It's not ideal that our first and second choice 10's are Barrett and Dmac. Dmac again, pretty good at Super Rugby, I have little faith he is the 10 who can win us a RWC. Barrett is probably the calmer but still prone to some pretty inexplicable drops in form. I'd start Beauden at 10.

Reuben Love and Jacumb I'd like to see tried at the next level.

Given the publics tolerance for losing and the fact, despite being through the Foster era, people still haven't learned it takes time to built toward a world cup, Robertson is stuck between taking some risks and getting some rewards, or the never ending criticism if trying something new, doesn't result in a 200 point hiding of the opposition.

I hate seeing the AB's lose, but if we want to be the best in the world again, we need to try some new stuff and some new players and build depth.

GV27

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#3385283 18-Jun-2025 13:41

networkn:

It's not ideal that our first and second choice 10's are Barrett and Dmac. Dmac again, pretty good at Super Rugby, I have little faith he is the 10 who can win us a RWC. Barrett is probably the calmer but still prone to some pretty inexplicable drops in form. I'd start Beauden at 10.

1st half of season D Mac yes

1st half of season BB no

Now I'm not sure. So much riding on who your 9 is tbh.

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#3385337 18-Jun-2025 16:18

GV27:

1st half of season D Mac yes

1st half of season BB no

Now I'm not sure. So much riding on who your 9 is tbh.

It seems reasonably certain IMO that it's Roigard to start. My best guess right now is Ratima/Hotham wil come on in the second half. I am not phased, so long as it's not Christie. Laughably, TJP in his last season cleared the rucks faster.

I spent almost the entirety of the second half of the test season wishing we would try some of the young potential 10's rather than watch Dmac flounder. Except come kicking time, where I feel like he has been very good at all levels (best we have by a margin).

Earbanean

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#3385398 19-Jun-2025 08:43

Really looking forward to the final on Saturday. The two best teams from the season are rightfully there. It's a shame the new ChCh stadium isn't ready as that would be perfect for this clash.

Hopefully the game isn't decided by cards or controversial calls, but I can't help worrying that it might be. I don't think there has been any bias for/against any teams, but some issues, like the current interpretations around head clashes, don't seem quite right. I totally agree we have to protect players and reduce concussions, but accidents can happen in a high speed sport, due to no fault of the players involved. The Sotutu and Vai'i cards were pretty strict. If you're not the tackler, but the tackle player is pushed into you, then it's a tough call.

I've been welcoming Auck, Welly and Otago mates on board the Chiefs wagon this week. Everyone loves the underdog and especially with petty stuff like the cow bell ban going on. So they're all firmly Chiefie for a week. Hopefully the game lives up to the expectations. This will be a perfect All Blacks trial, with AB match ups right across the park. Bring it on.

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#3385458 19-Jun-2025 10:01

Earbanean:

Hopefully the game isn't decided by cards or controversial calls, but I can't help worrying that it might be. I don't think there has been any bias for/against any teams, but some issues, like the current interpretations around head clashes, don't seem quite right. I totally agree we have to protect players and reduce concussions, but accidents can happen in a high speed sport, due to no fault of the players involved. The Sotutu and Vai'i cards were pretty strict. If you're not the tackler, but the tackle player is pushed into you, then it's a tough call.

Just has to be the same rules week-in, week-out regardless of who is playing.

I'm looking forward to the game, and I did laugh at the Cowbell app that is being pushed to circumvent the ban.

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#3386029 21-Jun-2025 21:16

Oops. Deleted my post by accident.

Good game deserved of a final.

Chiefs bridesmaids again 😭

Awesome forwards display by the Crusaders. That was the difference for me.

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