Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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#3473098 24-Mar-2026 12:19

Also forgot to say, but in my opinion at least, selections weren't a major problem at all with Robertson and the previous coaching team. Bringing in Holland, Sititi, Carter, Parker, Tosi, etc were all good calls and promoting Williams and Roigard was also great.

The only selections that I really didn't agree with were the non-aerial wings Ioane and Reece. However, even then their selection options were limited by injuries to Clarke and Narawa.

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#3473099 24-Mar-2026 12:25

Earbanean:

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.

And there in lies the rub. People want innovation, player development, depth and to almost never lose. They want to see their favourite players included and playing.

Ted, Hansens and to a lesser degree Fosters tenures were succesful in no small part because of the number of unicorn players, they managed to largely experiment successfully, which led to innovation, and did so in a time where other nations really hadn't cottoned on.

I guess we need to wait and see how the new coaching regime does, past the honeymoon phase.

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#3474117 26-Mar-2026 16:31

Boo to no Crusaders game this weekend. I was keen to see if they could continue to build on 2 wins in a row.

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#3474132 26-Mar-2026 17:01

networkn:

Boo to no Crusaders game this weekend. I was keen to see if they could continue to build on 2 wins in a row.

Well you'll be happy to know I bought lunch for my eye-patcher mate yesterday, to (belatedly) settle our bet on last year's Super final.

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#3474169 26-Mar-2026 21:14

Earbanean:

Well you'll be happy to know I bought lunch for my eye-patcher mate yesterday, to (belatedly) settle our bet on last year's Super final.

Somewhere he is saying to someone... My eye patcher mate had to buy me lunch to settle our bet on last years super final.

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#3474278 27-Mar-2026 10:24

I see in the news today that Te Kaha stadium in ChCh opens today. That is such great news. It has been a long time coming, but looks like it should be a top place to watch sport - and concerts. The Super round and the first test against France will be great occasions. I can't wait to get down for a game one day. Is it open for the public to go and have a look around today?

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#3474379 27-Mar-2026 13:28

Earbanean:

I see in the news today that Te Kaha stadium in ChCh opens today. That is such great news. It has been a long time coming, but looks like it should be a top place to watch sport - and concerts. The Super round and the first test against France will be great occasions. I can't wait to get down for a game one day. Is it open for the public to go and have a look around today?

No, its open for leaders and dignataries today. There are two upcoming "ticketed open days" for the public.

I just booked dinner and pre drinks for the 24th April opening game. 6 mins walk from the stadium, I'm expecting an electric atmosphere

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#3475385 30-Mar-2026 09:26

Tamiti Williams ruled out for 2026 after a scan revealed a serious infection in his back.

I hope he recovers ok. Health and Family first.

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#3477866 4-Apr-2026 12:43

Well, that was an emphatic way to end the time at Apollo Stadium. It was clearly a highly emotional match for many reasons.

Quite fitting to see off one hundred wins in the final match ever at that location.

Codie Taylor getting 4 tries in his 150th esp the one on the wing was pretty cool to see.

Having said that, the game all got a bit silly, and I think Jordan had his weakest game in a very long time both as Captain and as a player. He really should have had a word with the team, when things got crazy, and reigned in the silly passes and over trying that went on, some of which was his own stuff.

Having said that, sometimes people just need to blow off some team and the players had clearly been told to express themselves, and once the game was over (pretty much by half time) it was about entertaining the fans.

Disclipline on defence again was a weakpoint, I really hope they get that under control.

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#3478270 5-Apr-2026 13:13

Chiefs running riot against Warratahs last night. Nice to see the Debutant get a double. Finau with a massive tackle and a try. The Chiefs don't lose as lost without MacKenzie as they have in the past. In my opinion it's probably what Gibbes should be focusing on as MacKenzie is not going to be around forever.

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#3478284 5-Apr-2026 14:18

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/ardie-savea-inside-the-all-blacks-loosies-relationship-with-the-team-and-new-zealand-rugby/premium/WOJ7W6MXHBAY5CTQAKRXZDXY3U/

This seems to paint a significantly different picture to what was originally claimed in the press over Savea wanting to leave the AB's as a result of Scott Robertsons leadership.

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#3480240 12-Apr-2026 17:02

Another tough night as a Crusaders fan last night. I really don't know what's going on. They seem really lost a lot of the time. There is some really good stuff happening, but often we look like we are running around like chickens without heads.

We are 9 rounds into a competition and the number of handling errors per game feels like it's at an all time high. It's worrying if I am honest.

So many teams blew so many opportunities over the weekend.

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#3480259 12-Apr-2026 18:22

networkn:

Another tough night as a Crusaders fan last night. I really don't know what's going on. They seem really lost a lot of the time. There is some really good stuff happening, but often we look like we are running around like chickens without heads.

We are 9 rounds into a competition and the number of handling errors per game feels like it's at an all time high. It's worrying if I am honest.

So many teams blew so many opportunities over the weekend.

Very disappointing. I'm not sure they know what's going on either! I got the impression they thought they'd just turn up and win, and didn't bring the right attitude. I had rated Havili as an organiser and a reasonable captain, but neither skill was on display in what I saw.

The confidence, and certainty of purpose and direction that they seemed to have been building over the last few weeks went well and truly out the window. Far too much brainless kicking for a start, and then that absolutely stupidly bungled quick tap that cost us at both ends of the park! That was a dead cert 3, or a very good chance at 5 or 7 from a solid scrum move, with neither of those options ending up down the other end. I hope Hotham gets a good talking to, because if you're going to do something like that it had better come off as you're either hero or zero, and he achieved the latter with icing on. That was probably the worst half I've seen him play, and I cringed every time he set for yet another excessively telegraphed chip over the top. FFS - if you're going to do that, don't set for 5 mins before you kick it so they can all position for it, or occasionally use the set as a bluff and then run or pass it instead.

There was just no authority in the play, and even the defense looked softer than we've come to expect from the Crusaders, as they routinely breached the advantage line.

I actually gave up watching at half time, thinking I'd watch the rest later if by some magic we put a different team on the paddock in the second half, but apparently not. Did Leicester eventually turn up, or was he as MIA like he was in the first half? Even Fihaki looked lackluster in the kick and chase they scored from on his wing.

Hoping for better next week, as time is running out, and we're looking far from champions at this stage!

On a different note - how do we all feel about the All Black defense coach's team getting another hiding. Are we more than a little worried? (I am)

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#3480297 13-Apr-2026 03:01

networkn:

So many teams blew so many opportunities over the weekend.

Apart from the Hurricanes 🤣

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#3480737 14-Apr-2026 10:12

Very little talk here on how good the Hurricanes were on the weekend? Was nice to see 'muted' discussions in the media about how they are "the real deal" this year. Still a few mighty big challenges coming up in the next few weeks though. I expect there will be some wear and tear on the squad over the next few weeks having had all their bye weeks already, so squad management and luck in avoiding injuries will be important.

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