Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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#3462065 17-Feb-2026 07:00

networkn:

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.

I didn't see him comment on non selection anywhere other than it made him doubt whether he was good enough. I did see him quoted on the difference in the approaches of Robertson and Joseph, and which he felt got the best out of him.

I did see some commentary about him turning down the request to join the AB's on the EOYT as injury cover, but that should be no surprise. He didn't enjoy the environment in the AB's, he knew he would just be there holding tackle bags, and he would be giving up the captaincy of a winning AB XV team in an environment he enjoyed. Seems a well thought out decision to me.

The Breakdown had him as their openside loosie in the team of the weekend so he must be going alright. They explained what they like about him if you check it out on Youtube.

He may have been 6th or 7th cab off the rank under the old regime, but that may have changed under a new coaching team. I guess we'll never know.

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#3462066 17-Feb-2026 07:10

JPNZ:

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.

Thank you for putting the pass on a loop. I’m still looking for the forward pass though?

The receiving player is always behind the shoulder of the passer, the ball doesn’t obviously go forward out of the passer’s hands.
Does the Crusaders 14 touch the ball on the way past?

Note: I’m not a supporter of either team.

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#3462068 17-Feb-2026 07:31

tukapa1:

He may have been 6th or 7th cab off the rank under the old regime, but that may have changed under a new coaching team. I guess we'll never know.

It'd be interesting to see who is still left from the championship-winning Blues team, few of which were apparently good enough for ABs selection despite being the best performing defensive unit in the competition. Sotutu, Riccatelli gone also.

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#3462081 17-Feb-2026 08:16

Dingbatt:

Thank you for putting the pass on a loop. I’m still looking for the forward pass though?

The receiving player is always behind the shoulder of the passer, the ball doesn’t obviously go forward out of the passer’s hands.

Its handy that the halfway line is there and visable. You can clearly see Tavatavanawai (12) passes the ball before the line and is caught a long way over the line. Using the line as a square marker the ball clearly goes forward out of the hands. The catchers position means nothing when judging the trajectory of the ball.

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#3462082 17-Feb-2026 08:19

tukapa1:

I didn't see him comment on non selection anywhere other than it made him doubt whether he was good enough. I did see him quoted on the difference in the approaches of Robertson and Joseph, and which he felt got the best out of him.

Interesting, I read it as, 'I didn't get selected under Razor, I think Razor and co were wrong'. It's not typical for players to comment on selection with relation to any specific coach. If he wasn't selected, surely it's obvious he wasn't good enough (and good enough doesn't necessarily relate soley to on field performances)?

I did see some commentary about him turning down the request to join the AB's on the EOYT as injury cover, but that should be no surprise. He didn't enjoy the environment in the AB's, he knew he would just be there holding tackle bags, and he would be giving up the captaincy of a winning AB XV team in an environment he enjoyed. Seems a well thought out decision to me.

I can't recall a time where a player has refused a call up, unless it was family or medical reasons. That seems to indicate to me at least, he is more concerned with himself and less about the team (selfish). If you aren't selected, as a paid professional sports player, it's your job to help those who are selected, play the best they can. Team first. I suspect this is part of the problem with the AB's and the 'culture' you have mentioned before. If players aren't buying into the ethos of 'team first' then the team falls apart. It's long been my belief the Blues have suffered as a result of individuals being above the team (along with selections indicating they expect a single star to carry a game), and I could understand that not working for Razor and the likes of Ryan, and may have lead to exclusions of players who were playing well, like Sotutu. It's tenous evidence, I'll admit, nonetheless, something that I believe has merit.

Earbanean

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#3462086 17-Feb-2026 08:32

tukapa1:

The Breakdown had him as their openside loosie in the team of the weekend so he must be going alright. They explained what they like about him if you check it out on Youtube.

He may have been 6th or 7th cab off the rank under the old regime, but that may have changed under a new coaching team. I guess we'll never know.

Also, while he may be 6th or 7th in terms of loose forwards, he's one of the very best openside flanker specialists. Yes, Ardie's ahead of him, but the other loosies that were used in the ABs, like Sititi, Lakai, Parker, Finau, are mostly 6's and/or 8's. Kirifi is a specialist openside, but I'd argue Papali'i is more suited for test rugby against the likes of the Boks. Just my opinion. In terms of specialist test opensides, I'd have him at second in the pecking order. So one injury away from starting test 7. Robertson/Ryan disagreed with me on that. Who knows what the next coach will think - but that's all academic now.

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#3462087 17-Feb-2026 08:39

Earbanean:

Also, while he may be 6th or 7th in terms of loose forwards, he's one of the very best openside flanker specialists. Yes, Ardie's ahead of him, but the other loosies that were used in the ABs, like Sititi, Lakai, Parker, Finau, are mostly 6's and/or 8's. Kirifi is a specialist openside, but I'd argue Papali'i is more suited for test rugby against the likes of the Boks. Just my opinion. In terms of specialist test opensides, I'd have him at second in the pecking order. So one injury away from starting test 7. Robertson/Ryan disagreed with me on that. Who knows what the next coach will think - but that's all academic now.

There has definitely been a shift in world rugby, for the last few years, of specialist opensides being out of favour and hybrid 6,7,8's being preferred. Kirifi was fantastic at Super Rugby Level, deserved a chance, but ultimately, I think he is too small. He did some good stuff, probably not good enough in my view. Papali'i was probably higher ranked IF they wanted a specialist 7. Having said that, I don't recall Papali'i having any massive games during his test career, and perhaps that is because his role just didn't really show it, rather than him not playing well. Somewhat like Sam Cane, who's stats easily led internationally for a long time, but he wasn't as visible as Savea and or a storming 6.

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#3462295 17-Feb-2026 18:07

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby/former-all-black-angus-taavao-mourns-death-of-son-after-illness/XOEUNVP4KBGYFNVWHHPLU3I2YQ/

Wow, this is truly sad and puts things into perspective.

The agony that poor family must be in is unimaginable.

networkn

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#3462984 19-Feb-2026 10:55

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/all-black-and-crusaders-midfielder-dallas-mcleod-signs-with-english-club-exeter/RIIJIK66PFCI5CVZBD23JQ3OFM/

His promotion to the AB's always felt a fraction premature, but he has been consistently top drawer for the Crusaders, a bit of a loss. I wonder if he has aspirations for England?

Earbanean

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#3462988 19-Feb-2026 11:17

networkn:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/all-black-and-crusaders-midfielder-dallas-mcleod-signs-with-english-club-exeter/RIIJIK66PFCI5CVZBD23JQ3OFM/

His promotion to the AB's always felt a fraction premature, but he has been consistently top drawer for the Crusaders, a bit of a loss. I wonder if he has aspirations for England?

With a name like that, Scotland?

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#3463006 19-Feb-2026 11:51

Earbanean:

With a name like that, Scotland?

I'd have thunk if he wanted to play for Scotland he would probably be heading for Scotland, the way some of the other players did. You could be right though.

He'd probably be good enough for Scotland, he would have some work to do to usurp the incumbents in the England team.

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#3463016 19-Feb-2026 12:13

networkn:

I'd have thunk if he wanted to play for Scotland he would probably be heading for Scotland, the way some of the other players did. You could be right though.

He'd probably be good enough for Scotland, he would have some work to do to usurp the incumbents in the England team.

The Scottish backline is looking pretty good at the mo. Would be a good unit to be part of.

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#3463017 19-Feb-2026 12:16

Apparently, NZR Reps are off to Japan to talk to Rennie :(

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#3463020 19-Feb-2026 12:38

Earbanean:

The Scottish backline is looking pretty good at the mo. Would be a good unit to be part of.

McLeod reminds me of Maitland a little, it doesn't take much imagination to see him playing for Scotland (though I can't see if he has eligibility for any nation except NZ).

JPNZ

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#3463029 19-Feb-2026 13:08

Jacomb vs Miller should be a great battle

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