Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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Networkn
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#3472340 22-Mar-2026 13:15

Good win for the Crusaders. 3 tries blown to basic handling errors or poor decision making, but that's two in a row for us!

Blues were probably fortunate that the Warratahs blew so many tries, though the first try being awarded to the tah's was a disgrace.

Overall, it's alarming the number of basic handling mistakes our teams are making.

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#3472482 23-Mar-2026 09:16

I have a pretty high opinion of Rob Penney and the way he conducts his relationship with the team. Results aside, he feels like a guy who understands his squad, and has a connection with them. He's articulate (usually) during interviews, and is a straight shooter.

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#3472516 23-Mar-2026 10:49

Rugby Reporter Ben Smith hasn't held back on the Chiefs lamenting their lack of defence, and preference for champange rugby over hard graft to earn that right.

The Chiefs tries certainly look impressive, but their stats aren't looking very flash right now. Jono Gibbes only just took over, so it could be a consequence of them finding their feet against his style of leadership.

I don't see much chance of them not making the finals again this year.

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#3472882 23-Mar-2026 19:47

How would you guys have rated Kirifi last year (eye patches off for a moment). He has been waiting for an opportunity and finally was given one, despite prior AB's coaches consecutively saying he wasn't big enough.

I thought there were some big moments he had, but overall, he was more solid than spectacular. He was clearly trying really hard, but it almost looked conspicious to me.

I think overall I would have given him a 6.5 or maybe a 7 based on aforemented special moments, but I just don't see him the guy you want against a firing springboks pack.

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#3472946 24-Mar-2026 08:01

I was excited when he got picked, and disappointed when he played. He looked pretty ineffectual. I had wondered why the game had gone away from genuine fetcher opensides and this was my answer.

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#3472949 24-Mar-2026 08:17

Tony Johnson on DSPN last week had some interesting stats around some players in super rugby so far and his form picks were pretty interesting.

By stats alone, there would be a number of Highlanders playing for the AB's this year.

He made the observation that Dalton was the top tackler in super rugby, but that his tackle completion rate was only 81% (the threshold would be around 90%). I can't recall who was next closest but that player was at something like 93%

In prior years Christie was the top tackler most years, but his accuracy was pretty incredible, I want to say after 4 rounds he hadn't missed a single tackle and was tackling >18 a game.

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#3472976 24-Mar-2026 09:44

networkn:

Tony Johnson on DSPN last week had some interesting stats around some players in super rugby so far and his form picks were pretty interesting.

By stats alone, there would be a number of Highlanders playing for the AB's this year.

He made the observation that Dalton was the top tackler in super rugby, but that his tackle completion rate was only 81% (the threshold would be around 90%). I can't recall who was next closest but that player was at something like 93%

In prior years Christie was the top tackler most years, but his accuracy was pretty incredible, I want to say after 4 rounds he hadn't missed a single tackle and was tackling >18 a game.

Personally, I thought picking Kirifi over Christie, when the latter was considered too small, was a sop to the Wellington contingent as Kirifi is a couple of inches shorter (5'11" vs 6'1") and a couple of kgs lighter, so even smaller. Christie had been brilliant and extremely consistent for Canterbury and the Crusaders for years, and is one of those unflashy "die for the team" players that win matches. He was also extremely durable, as he rarely seemed to get injured. Looking at numbers on Wiki, Christie is actually heavier than Ardie Savea, which is interesting.

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#3472986 24-Mar-2026 10:04

LookingUp:

Personally, I thought picking Kirifi over Christie, when the latter was considered too small, was a sop to the Wellington contingent as Kirifi is a couple of inches shorter (5'11" vs 6'1") and a couple of kgs lighter, so even smaller. Christie had been brilliant and extremely consistent for Canterbury and the Crusaders for years, and is one of those unflashy "die for the team" players that win matches. He was also extremely durable, as he rarely seemed to get injured. Looking at numbers on Wiki, Christie is actually heavier than Ardie Savea, which is interesting.

Could you imagine what would have happened if another Crusaders was selected?

It will be interesting to see if Rennie faces the same criticism if he does a similar thing.

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#3472990 24-Mar-2026 10:20

Assistant coaches announced.

Neil Barnes – Senior Assistant Coach

Jason Ryan – Forwards Coach

Faʻalogo Tana Umaga – Defence Coach

Mike Blair – Attack Coach

Phil Healey – Head of Performance

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#3472992 24-Mar-2026 10:25

networkn:

LookingUp:

Personally, I thought picking Kirifi over Christie, when the latter was considered too small, was a sop to the Wellington contingent as Kirifi is a couple of inches shorter (5'11" vs 6'1") and a couple of kgs lighter, so even smaller. Christie had been brilliant and extremely consistent for Canterbury and the Crusaders for years, and is one of those unflashy "die for the team" players that win matches. He was also extremely durable, as he rarely seemed to get injured. Looking at numbers on Wiki, Christie is actually heavier than Ardie Savea, which is interesting.

Could you imagine what would have happened if another Crusaders was selected?

It will be interesting to see if Rennie faces the same criticism if he does a similar thing.

No, it had nothing to do with appeasing the so called 'Wellington contingent' and/or avoiding criticism for picking another Crusader. Robertson and Ryan talked repeatedly about "both sides of the ball". Krifi was a much better ball carrier - even if Christie was (probably) a better tackler/jackler.

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#3472997 24-Mar-2026 10:39

Earbanean:

No, it had nothing to do with appeasing the so called 'Wellington contingent' and/or avoiding criticism for picking another Crusader. Robertson and Ryan talked repeatedly about "both sides of the ball". Krifi was a much better ball carrier - even if Christie was (probably) a better tackler/jackler.

There was no probably about it. Christie topped tackling stats and accuracy consistently.

I'd be interested to see how the stats looked for Kirifi, but anacdotetly I didn't think his ball carrying was a particularly useful addition to the lose forwards. I recall seeing him make breaks to then be turned over, which is partially the responsibility of the cleaners, but still.

How do you think he went at test level?

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#3473006 24-Mar-2026 11:06

networkn:

There was no probably about it. Christie topped tackling stats and accuracy consistently.

I'd be interested to see how the stats looked for Kirifi, but anacdotetly I didn't think his ball carrying was a particularly useful addition to the lose forwards. I recall seeing him make breaks to then be turned over, which is partially the responsibility of the cleaners, but still.

How do you think he went at test level?

Yeah agreed, I don't think Kirifi was a great test loosie and I wouldn't have picked him. FWIW I wouldn't have picked Christie for tests either. My point was why Robertson picked him - not who I thought should have been picked. Note, there are plenty of things Robertson and co got wrong. Hence he is longer the ABs coach.

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#3473076 24-Mar-2026 11:32

Earbanean:

Assistant coaches announced.

Neil Barnes – Senior Assistant Coach

Jason Ryan – Forwards Coach

Faʻalogo Tana Umaga – Defence Coach

Mike Blair – Attack Coach

Phil Healey – Head of Performance

Hmm, I don't know much about Blair, or Healey. Ryan seems a sensible choice, Barnes probably a safe choice. Umaga for defence is an interesting choice (Moana Pacifics biggest issue is defence). His tenure for the Blues was a disaster, but Counties and Moana have done OKish under him (and it feels selfish to have taken him off Moana who are still struggling, but making progress).

It's not really a surprise they didn't retain Hansen, though it wouldn't have surprised me if they kept him either.

I guess time will tell.

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#3473078 24-Mar-2026 11:36

Earbanean:

Yeah agreed, I don't think Kirifi was a great test loosie and I wouldn't have picked him. FWIW I wouldn't have picked Christie for tests either. My point was why Robertson picked him - not who I thought should have been picked. Note, there are plenty of things Robertson and co got wrong. Hence he is longer the ABs coach.

Heh. Fans whining Robertson was too conservative in his selections, year 2 he throws a wider net, and nek minnit fans be like 'wah why did you pick these players?!'.

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#3473084 24-Mar-2026 11:50

networkn:

Heh. Fans whining Robertson was too conservative in his selections, year 2 he throws a wider net, and nek minnit fans be like 'wah why did you pick these players?!'.

Those criticisms can both be true - and valid. They're not mutually exclusive.

e.g. it's perfectly valid to say that he shouldn't have picked TJ Perenara and Sam Cane on the EOY tour in 2024, given they were both leaving NZ. It's also perfectly valid to say Ioane, Kirifi, Reece, etc weren't good selections.

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