Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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Networkn
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#3491926 17-May-2026 16:39

I've been a bit underwhelmed by Caleb Clarke feeling he was a bit overrated, except for his speed. His defence was pretty average (and Te'lea), and his main benefit has been the combination of speed and him being a big dude can make him hard to tackle. He has improved his defence somewhat and the wheels he showed to chase down what would have been for pretty much every other player, a sure try, was excellent last night.

He has gotten assured under the high ball after being a bit hit and miss for a while.

I'd still like to see him develop a better step and not rely on going over the top of players, he was exposed a number of times last year trying it with guys who were more than up for the challenge at test level.

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#3491927 17-May-2026 16:43

Cory Jane by all accounts is building his coaching skills nicely. I wonder if he has aspirations for a head coach role? In a couple of years I wonder if he'd be a contender for the Canes? Having said that, not every coach is head coach material and their value lies in a more direct impact over players. I found it a little surprising he was inducted to defence, I would have thought his natural place would have been in charge of backs and attack.

What an incredible acheievement to have both played and coached > 100 tests for the Hurricanes. Awesome.

Earbanean

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#3492193 18-May-2026 08:40

networkn:

It's the canes comp to lose. If the Crusaders can't take it, then the Canes get my support. I love watching rugby played with that level of expression AND execution.

Yeah, agree with Canes as hot favourite to win the whole thing. They'll almost certainly have all their playoff games in Wellington, and will be very hard to beat there. I reckon they'll play the winner of a Chiefs v Saders semi in Hamilton. IMO, that one is too close to call. Chiefs with home advantage, but Saders with unbelievable playoffs record/experience. Might come down to which players each team get back from injury by then. I wouldn't be surprised if Blues are in the other semi (in Welly) as lucky loser from round of 6.

All Blacks selection watch seems to be really ramping up, especially with Rennie in town. B Barrett seems to be playing his way out of contention, with a shocker at Eden Park. I launched the 'Love boat' last week (sounds better than Love bandwagon or train). Last night, the guys on The Breakdown jumped on as well. Welcome aboard fellas. Interestingly, FWIW Jeff Wilson inferred from Rennie's comments about counter attack etc, that DMac would start at 15, with Jordan on the wing. I'm not so sure about that, but we'll see.

Other interesting calls last night, included their opinion that the loosies would be Savea, Lakai and Sititi. Personally, I'd prefer a big 6, as they moved to last year. Not sure who that 6 should be though, as Parker hasn't really grabbed it and Finau isn't getting much game time. Probably most contentious was Muliaina saying he thought ALB is a good chance for 13. I'd be a bit surprised by that, but haven't watched any Japan footy, so who Knows.

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#3494737 22-May-2026 15:46

Should be a good battle tonight between the Crusaders & Chiefs

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Earbanean

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#3494796 22-May-2026 16:18

JPNZ:

Should be a good battle tonight between the Crusaders & Chiefs

Yeah, I hope it is. Once again the sold out new stadium should make for a great occasion. Shame DMac not plying, but some tasty matchups across the park. Effectively All Black trials in the loose forwards and at 2, 9, 12, amongst others. Saders will probably dominate in the front row, and Jordan coming back could be decisive against understrength Chiefs outside backs.

I had to laugh at Havili's comment that they "don't stand for any of that", talking about Jared Profitt's tip tackle in the last game v Chiefs. He had clearly forgotten the red card and 4 week suspension (currently being served) by the Saders, for doing exactly that. i.e. nearly putting Perofeta in a spinal unit.

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#3494942 24-May-2026 14:58

I had lowered my expectations of Friday nights game, suspecting our patchy form this season and our injury list would make us vulnerable. It was a cracker of a match. It had the hallmarks of a classic, without being one. I am glad we got the win, but honestly, home advantage was all there was in it IMO.

I am glad for the win though. Next week will be our biggest challenge this season IMO. I think we are up for it, the Canes look compelling, but hardly unbeatable. They were lucky last meet up.

The Crusaders have shown some of the grit of old, by not giving up when the scoreline looks bad.

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#3494998 25-May-2026 08:17

networkn:

I had lowered my expectations of Friday nights game, suspecting our patchy form this season and our injury list would make us vulnerable. It was a cracker of a match. It had the hallmarks of a classic, without being one. I am glad we got the win, but honestly, home advantage was all there was in it IMO.

I am glad for the win though. Next week will be our biggest challenge this season IMO. I think we are up for it, the Canes look compelling, but hardly unbeatable. They were lucky last meet up.

The Crusaders have shown some of the grit of old, by not giving up when the scoreline looks bad.

I'd imagine the Hurricanes and the Chiefs will rest players, will make both what would have been massive games somewhat ordinary IMHO.

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cshwone

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#3495000 25-May-2026 08:40

JPNZ:

networkn:

I had lowered my expectations of Friday nights game, suspecting our patchy form this season and our injury list would make us vulnerable. It was a cracker of a match. It had the hallmarks of a classic, without being one. I am glad we got the win, but honestly, home advantage was all there was in it IMO.

I am glad for the win though. Next week will be our biggest challenge this season IMO. I think we are up for it, the Canes look compelling, but hardly unbeatable. They were lucky last meet up.

The Crusaders have shown some of the grit of old, by not giving up when the scoreline looks bad.

I'd imagine the Hurricanes and the Chiefs will rest players, will make both what would have been massive games somewhat ordinary IMHO.

Yes, nothing to gain and lots to lose by fielding full strength teams.

Earbanean

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#3495014 25-May-2026 09:54

networkn:

I had lowered my expectations of Friday nights game, suspecting our patchy form this season and our injury list would make us vulnerable. It was a cracker of a match. It had the hallmarks of a classic, without being one. I am glad we got the win, but honestly, home advantage was all there was in it IMO.

I am glad for the win though. Next week will be our biggest challenge this season IMO. I think we are up for it, the Canes look compelling, but hardly unbeatable. They were lucky last meet up.

The Crusaders have shown some of the grit of old, by not giving up when the scoreline looks bad.

Yeah, totally agree. That was an awesome game and could have gone either way. It's a cliche, but games like that are decided in little moments. Havili's 50/22 was clearly one. That's probably the best 50/22 I've ever seen. Then unfortunately for Jacomb, him dropping the ball inside their 22 was another.

Havili was really really good and you know the ABs selectors were watching closely. I'd be surprised if the current selectors overlook him, like the previous ones did. I've always wondered how he'd go at 13. We have good depth at 12, but 13 has been a problem. I'm not really an expert in that area, but I would have though Havili's skillset would be more adaptable to 13, than Tupaea's - and Tupaea was tried at 13 last year.

The Crusaders started the season really slowly (badly), but yet again they've started delivering when it matters most - at the business end of the season. As I said earlier, a Saders/Chiefs semi in Hamilton could be a classic. Maybe home advantage and whether DMAc or Jordan are on the field will decide that. Although, the Saders seem to have a huge mental advantage over the Chiefs in knock out games.

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#3495019 25-May-2026 10:20

The Hurricanes, with nothing to play for other than bragging rights, will more than likely field a weakened team vs the Crusaders. A Crusaders win would also make it more likely that the Canes wouldn't have to face them until the final (assuming both teams make it through). This weeks game won't be the cracker it would've been if it were played earlier in the season.

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#3495021 25-May-2026 10:22

Canes deserve to be favourites and it will be a final between them and the Chiefs I believe. Crusaders haven't had the consistency this year and its time someone else won the dam thing. It is kinda sad to have a pretty meaningless final round. The top 6 is already decided.

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Earbanean

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#3495489 26-May-2026 12:39

Wow, Scott Hansen replacing Rob Penney as Crusaders coach after this season. I didn't see that coming. All pretty much just basic info released so far about the change. No comments about how much Penney contested the change. No comment from Penney yet.

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#3495494 26-May-2026 12:55

Earbanean:

Wow, Scott Hansen replacing Rob Penney as Crusaders coach after this season. I didn't see that coming. All pretty much just basic info released so far about the change. No comments about how much Penney contested the change. No comment from Penney yet.

Link? NVM I found it on NZH

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lachlanw

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#3495663 26-May-2026 22:09

Will Jordan out of the remainder of SR season. Big blow for the Crusaders, possibly miss the first June test as well.

Earbanean

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#3495747 27-May-2026 12:12

JPNZ:

Earbanean:

Wow, Scott Hansen replacing Rob Penney as Crusaders coach after this season. I didn't see that coming. All pretty much just basic info released so far about the change. No comments about how much Penney contested the change. No comment from Penney yet.

Link? NVM I found it on NZH

Officially confirmed now. So I guess the Penney's finally dropped...

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