Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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#3465759 1-Mar-2026 08:37

k1w1k1d:

Just tried watching highlights of last night's Crusaders and Chiefs match but had to give up as I couldn't tell the teams apart.

Who was the idiot that designed the matching jerseys for the two teams?

Are all the teams now wearing matching colours or is it just these two teams?

One team was in white shorts, the other in black shorts
Otherwise it was a bit tricky

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#3465782 1-Mar-2026 12:23

After last week, and the start of last nights game between the Crusaders and Chiefs, I was preparing for the worst. That was some kind of comeback and some kind of turn around.

The niggle between the teams was really gross. I am not sure what it is, but we don't get into it like that with any other team. I was shocked to hear it was Liam Messam who gave the Chiefs a spray about their part in the niggle (which I feel was mostly instigated by the Chiefs), considering he was amongst it during his entire career, but good on him.

That tip tackle on Havili was yellow all day long. The Chiefs got away with that one, and should have had a guy in the bin for the defensive penalties they conceded. I've seen other teams including the Crusaders lose a person on that many.

Hotham's holding back of the Chiefs player was a deserved yellow.

I am absolutely stoked with that result for obvious reasons. During the regular season, the Chiefs seem to get the better of us. I hope it's not a change of fortunes come finals time, if we are there.

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#3465804 1-Mar-2026 13:45

That was a heart breaking loss to the Brumbies for the Blues. I have to say the backs of the Blues look lethal, so quick.

They will be hurting after that, I wonder how they will back that up next week against the Crusaders.

Mentally, the biggest challenge for the Crusaders is going to be backing up the win last night against the Chiefs, it's something I've felt has been lacking in previous seasons, compared to times gone past. It's the same with the AB's. The old saying was 'the AB's never lose two in a row'', and whomever faced them after a loss was in for a tough night. We don't seem to have that kind of intensity continuation, and it was most apparent after we won against SA in Eden Park last year, to concede badly the week after (though I still maintain this was a one off anomaly and there was something clearly wrong with the AB's that night).

It's the match up of next weekend for me.

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#3465948 2-Mar-2026 13:40

I expect because it's the Crusaders, this will get zero sympathy, however, it's frustrating to see that Tamiti Williams was cited today for a dangerous cleanout, but the tip tackle on Havili was deemed OK.

I am fine with citing dangerous play, but it needs to be consistent and it's frustrating that it's continued on this long being so inconsistent. I do like some of the changes made around the dangerous tackle assessments. It feels more acknowledging of the challenges of having 15 guys smashing against each other at huge pace and the ability to avoid some situations. I felt the way it handled before was leading to just as dangerous unintended consequences.

I still liked the new rule they put in place in the u20's where you weren't allowed to jump to take the high ball. I think it promoted a much safer environment. I am disappointed to see it never got any further.

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#3465953 2-Mar-2026 14:15

Man, not a great weekend for most of the NZ teams. I think it's once again a case of 'February Rugby' where defence doesn't seem to be high on the priority list. The two finalists from last year (Chiefs & Saders) have both already conceded 100 points after only 3 rounds. I expect (hope) it to tighten up considerably when the days get shorter and the nights colder and wetter.

You've gotta love the intensity (and resulting niggle) of the Chiefs/Saders match-ups in the last few years. The big NZ rivalry used to be Blues/Saders, but I think that's no longer the fiercest one. You'd have to have a serous eye patch to think it was instigated more by one of them than the other. They both gave as good as they got.

I've said it quite a bit over the last couple of years - the Chiefs will struggle to win Super Rugby without a top level front row. IMO that was a big part of the difference between the two teams on Saturday (as it was in Canberra). Williams and Newell are immense and then Bower of the bench... Guys like Proffit are journeymen by comparison. I hope Tamaiti and co stay fit for the ABs. We're really going to need them this year.

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#3466688 4-Mar-2026 12:16

And Dave Rennie has been appointed AB's coach.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360946540/all-blacks-appoint-dave-rennie-new-head-coach

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#3466691 4-Mar-2026 12:34

Boo.

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#3466704 4-Mar-2026 14:11

Wow, wasn't anticipating that.

Doesn't change my outlook on the AB's though. I don't think we have the players to win the next WC, playing closer to home does give us an advantage though. Now for one thats out of leftfield I think a pretty good chance we lose the Bledisloe this year or next.

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#3466711 4-Mar-2026 14:32

As soon as it became 100% clear that Tony Brown wasn't available, I was in the Rennie camp. Although I wasn't sure that's how the NZR selection panel would see it.

I already feel a bit sorry for him though. He's on a bit of a hiding to nothing in arguably the ABs hardest year of the professional era. He was on a good wicket in Japan, so he's a brave man to leave that for the intense pressure and expectation of the ABs job.

He's got a lot to do very quickly, while still committed in Japan. First up he needs to confirm assistants. That'll be fascinating - and critical. I'd love to see Jason Ryan remain - the others, not so much. Then there's the captain decision. Realistically only between Savea or Taylor.

I wonder what selection changes we'll see. People will say this will help current or ex Chiefs players, but sometimes the opposite can be true. e.g. Razor with Blackadder, Havili, etc. Rennie has always been a big Lienert-Brown fan, so maybe he gets a bit more back in the picture for the 13 jersey?

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#3466729 4-Mar-2026 15:57

Rumour has it his first coaching team hire will be Stephen Larkham.

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#3466734 4-Mar-2026 16:13

I watched the press conference. Nothing much to note, other than jeez he was really talking up Brodie Retallick. Will we see the big man back in black?

He was also pretty complementary about Richie Mounga, so I think nothing changes there, with him still firmly on the radar. I'm sure they're going to change their tack and allow him to be eligible for the SA tour this year. It would be crazy not to.

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#3466904 5-Mar-2026 07:37

johno1234:

Rumour has it his first coaching team hire will be Stephen Larkham.

Weird one, Larkham already came out and said he wasn't interested in a NZ team.

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#3466939 5-Mar-2026 09:54

johno1234:

Rumour has it his first coaching team hire will be Stephen Larkham.

That would be amusing. I imagine he would be being considered as assistant for the Wallabies.

Esp given its a home RWC.

Earbanean

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#3466951 5-Mar-2026 10:38

johno1234:

Rumour has it his first coaching team hire will be Stephen Larkham.

The way I read it, there's absolutely no chance of that. Rennie talked about working with people he knows ands trusts. FWIW he also mentioned he'd be talking to the incumbent assistants. I also think the Larkham rumour actually started before Rennie was announced as coach, so IMO it's nonsense.

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#3466968 5-Mar-2026 11:51

I agree, it started as head coach rumor which was absurd given he is niether kiwi or has test experience, the two primary requirements set by NZR.

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