Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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Networkn
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#3461677 15-Feb-2026 15:41

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/super-rugby-pacific-chiefs-coachs-message-to-highlanders-bound-josh-jacomb/NNLAYTPQVNGI5B3SMIXAGSFWAM/

Jacomb to the Highlanders in 2027.

That's a very good decision for him. He won't see as much time in the 10 Jersey at the Chiefs, and will at the Highlanders and this will be good for NZ Rugby since we have a real problem at 10.

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#3461710 15-Feb-2026 18:37

networkn:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/super-rugby-pacific-chiefs-coachs-message-to-highlanders-bound-josh-jacomb/NNLAYTPQVNGI5B3SMIXAGSFWAM/

Jacomb to the Highlanders in 2027.

That's a very good decision for him. He won't see as much time in the 10 Jersey at the Chiefs, and will at the Highlanders and this will be good for NZ Rugby since we have a real problem at 10.

He's got to get the 10 jersey off Cam Millar first. Being a Taranaki supporter I'm a big fan of Jacomb, but Millar is the guy you want on the field if it comes down to goal kicking.

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#3461761 15-Feb-2026 20:14

Dingbatt:

I think round one can just be called the “whoopsies” round. Of the two games I watched (Highlanders/Crusaders and Blues/Chiefs) there were so many mistakes and handling errors by all the teams.

Interesting, I thought handling in the Chiefs Blues game was signifcantly better than the Crusaders Highlanders game. I am not sure if the stats back that up, I will admit, I was watching the Chiefs/Blues game with less intensity.

Why does the NZRugby persevere with the All Black rest rule? With a new coaching team inbound, how do they even know which players are All Blacks?

I think it's a good thing. We have seen time and time again that our AB's limp through the final 2-3 matches of the year. I can't imagine what it would look like without it.

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#3461777 16-Feb-2026 07:50

networkn:

Fair play to to the Highlanders who won fair and square.

I'm not going to grumble too much as the Crusaders always start slow, but this forward pass (clearly forward out of the hands) was the winning of the game when it wasn't called.

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Earbanean

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#3461810 16-Feb-2026 09:10

Dingbatt:

I think round one can just be called the “whoopsies” round. Of the two games I watched (Highlanders/Crusaders and Blues/Chiefs) there were so many mistakes and handling errors by all the teams.

Yep, the two NZ games I watched were mistake riddled, which just seems to be the way in Round 1/February. However, both games had exciting finishes, so that helped a lot. I think they'll all be glad to get the opening round under their belts and move onward and upward.

A couple of things stood out to me. Firstly, both NZ games had very good refs and almost no TMO involvement. That seems to a directive/goal this season and I'm all for it. Secondly, in a number of cases, it was clear the difference in class shown by established AB players. e.g. Will Jordan made an immediate impact when he took to the field and Tupou Vaa'i was good all game. I just don't want them peaking too early this year.

The Jacomb situation is an issue. I said last year when he signed with the Landers, that the Chiefs should release him immediately, but that there was no way that they would. It's not just with him either. When Barrett is back, Perofeta will struggle for game time. Even at the 'saders, if Reihana (or Kemara) establishes himself as starting 10, then next year (WC year), Mo'unga will come back an relegate him to the bench role anyway. In key positions, like 10, it will be hard to be WC ready, without game time. At least Love should get lots of time with the Canes.

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#3461820 16-Feb-2026 09:28

JPNZ:

I'm not going to grumble too much as the Crusaders always start slow, but this forward pass (clearly forward out of the hands) was the winning of the game when it wasn't called.

I have watched this clip repeatedly, and I am not surprised it wasn't picked up in real time. At the time I thought it looked forward, but what can you do? I still think the Highlanders were the better team and I am not mad they won.

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#3461830 16-Feb-2026 09:52

networkn:

I have watched this clip repeatedly, and I am not surprised it wasn't picked up in real time. At the time I thought it looked forward, but what can you do? I still think the Highlanders were the better team and I am not mad they won.

Oh yea as I said I'm not going to grumble too much, the Crusaders lost the game rather than the landers winning it. If thats the price we pay for less TMO intrusiveness then thats a positive thing.

Both NZ games were pretty low quality watches, you'd be hard pressed to wonder what most of them have been doing over the 2 odd months pre-season.

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#3461858 16-Feb-2026 11:42

JPNZ:

Both NZ games were pretty low quality watches, you'd be hard pressed to wonder what most of them have been doing over the 2 odd months pre-season.

From experience, there is no way to simulate a real game in training. Even full contact sessions almost always fall short. Steve Hansen was famous for match day simulations. Those were incredibly brutal and there were a few handbags thrown at training sessions as a result :)

Give it a fortnight, and things will improve significantly.

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#3461864 16-Feb-2026 12:12

JPNZ:

I'm not going to grumble too much as the Crusaders always start slow, but this forward pass (clearly forward out of the hands) was the winning of the game when it wasn't called.

Sometimes the ref giveth and sometimes the ref taketh away ... as an Otago fan, we've had plenty taken off us over the years by bad referees. So I'll receive with both hands, when fortune smiles on us.

That pass would be a very hard one to spot for the officials because all the ball leaves the hands in forward direction (and is therefore a forward pass), it's directed backward and travels that way.

Nowhere near as obvious as England's last try against Scotland. How that was missed, I do not know. Always nice to see England put to the sword. The charge down of a drop goal ATTEMPT and resulting try was rugby-comedy gold.

Mike

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#3461867 16-Feb-2026 12:22

It really amazes me how upset Kiwi fans were over our losses to Argentina, who until recently, we were the only tier one team they hadn't beat multiple times. Scotland beats England who many pundits believe are the second best team in the world right now, and whilst some people are upset, is anyone sane calling for the English Coaches head?

I have said this many times, other teams have good coaches, and excellent players, and the opposition has caught up. There is only so much innovation to be had. Right now anyone in the top 8 could on their day, beat any other team in the top 8. It's not a failure of the head coach of the All Blacks, it's the fact your average Kiwi fan has become so spoiled off our long period of dominance, they are unable to comphehend why this wouldn't last forever.

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#3461870 16-Feb-2026 12:47

MikeAqua:

Nowhere near as obvious as England's last try against Scotland. How that was missed, I do not know. Always nice to see England put to the sword. The charge down of a drop goal ATTEMPT and resulting try was rugby-comedy gold.

Yea that pass to Pollock was a SHOCKER to not be called is even worse.

I must say for the first time ever, I'm putting much more effort into watching the six nations than Super. 6 Nations used to be boring, low scoring, forward driven slug fests. Most of the games Ive watched so far have been great viewing. Eng vs Ire this weekend will be another cracker, France v Italy should also be interesting.

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#3461965 16-Feb-2026 20:14

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360939302/all-blacks-try-helped-chiefs-victory-over-blues-shouldnt-have-been-awarded

Surprise surprise, Auckland on the wrong end of another incorrect call early in the Super Rugby season.

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#3461969 16-Feb-2026 20:32

GV27:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360939302/all-blacks-try-helped-chiefs-victory-over-blues-shouldnt-have-been-awarded

Surprise surprise, Auckland on the wrong end of another incorrect call early in the Super Rugby season.

You didn't make mention of the forward pass in the Highlanders v Crusaders game that cost us the win!!!

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#3462043 16-Feb-2026 22:11

Dalton Papali’i: Blues captain to depart after 2026 season

Probably for the best. He was probably 6th or 7th cab off the rank and him commenting on non-selection probably didn't increase his chances of selection.

There is a lot of competition in the loose forwards at the moment.

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#3462049 16-Feb-2026 22:27

Glad my season prediction made it to the end of round 1🤣

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