Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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JPNZ

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#3499890 3-Jun-2026 13:31

Potential wet weather in both outdoor games (more so Friday night) which should make one or both a bit closer but a big W for Canes, Crusaders and Chiefs is what I would hang my hat on.

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lachlanw

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#3499898 3-Jun-2026 14:11

Earbanean:

Saders getting smoked by the Brumbies in Round 2, conceding 50 points at home, was exactly "rolling over like that". Hate it when scoreboards undermine little rants.

Rant's a bit strong isnt it?

To be fair with 20 odd minutes to go in that game, there was 5 points in it.

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#3499899 3-Jun-2026 14:17

The Chiefs have the easiest ride home, though I think the Reds travelled to Hamilton in a knockout game in the past and won?

In my view the biggest difference between the Crusaders and other teams during the finals, is the mental strength. To overcome an opponent in a knockout game without home advantage is rare.

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#3499902 3-Jun-2026 14:19

lachlanw:

To be fair with 20 odd minutes to go in that game, there was 5 points in it.

It felt reminiscent of the match against the Springboks in Wellington. It was almost like they ran out of gas. I guess it happens some times.

Wellington's result against the Springboks caused massive panic in fans, whereas, I can't recall anything like it before, and felt like an abboration. Perhaps if we just push Wellington into the ocean, we can avoid the hudu there ? :)

J/K folks.

Earbanean

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#3499903 3-Jun-2026 14:21

lachlanw:

Earbanean:

Saders getting smoked by the Brumbies in Round 2, conceding 50 points at home, was exactly "rolling over like that". Hate it when scoreboards undermine little rants.

Rant's a bit strong isnt it?

To be fair with 20 odd minutes to go in that game, there was 5 points in it.

Yep, they were in it, and then they err rolled over.

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#3499904 3-Jun-2026 14:28

Earbanean:

Yep, they were in it, and then they err rolled over.

I didn't really think the Canes were really in it the whole match. There were periods where the score was close, but they weren't really winning *any* of the big moments. Watching the Crusaders push players over the sideline, and generally man handle them, felt like they had not been properly prepared for the match they were likely to get going to a sold out stadium in a fairly must win game for their opponents.

I don't doubt the fact the Canes wanted to win, but want isn't enough.

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lachlanw

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#3499910 3-Jun-2026 14:40

My comment was around the difference in how the Chiefs and Canes responded on the weekend after the first 15 mins of pressure. It was a meek performance from a group of players who had an opportunity to put themselves forward but failed to take it. Do you truly think those two performances are the same?

Earbanean

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#3499926 3-Jun-2026 15:32

networkn:

Earbanean:

Yep, they were in it, and then they err rolled over.

I didn't really think the Canes were really in it the whole match. There were periods where the score was close, but they weren't really winning *any* of the big moments. Watching the Crusaders push players over the sideline, and generally man handle them, felt like they had not been properly prepared for the match they were likely to get going to a sold out stadium in a fairly must win game for their opponents.

I don't doubt the fact the Canes wanted to win, but want isn't enough.

No, my comment was about the Saders in Round 2, not the Canes.

Earbanean

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#3499928 3-Jun-2026 15:42

lachlanw:

My comment was around the difference in how the Chiefs and Canes responded on the weekend after the first 15 mins of pressure. It was a meek performance from a group of players who had an opportunity to put themselves forward but failed to take it. Do you truly think those two performances are the same?

Yeah, I agree with your comparison between the teams from this weekend and wasn't arguing with that. It was just you comment that the Saders would never roll over like that, that was clearly wrong.

Every team, including one with the amazing record of the Saders, has the odd off night where it all goes wrong and the score blows out. Personally, I just hate that the Chiefies seem to save those for finals and knock out games. That's why I keep saying the likely Chiefs v Saders semi is too close to call, when on paper the Chiefs should be reasonably firm favourites. The home advantage and likely lower injury count could well be negated by their relative mental frailty.

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#3500031 3-Jun-2026 21:57

I read today that the Government is considering a $10M bailout of Moana Pasifika which I can't agree with.

I think MP had some value in the comp, however, in reality how does this work? Savea likely already has a new super Rugby team (the Blues or Hurricanes), and , and he was really the only thing saving them from every year being dismall. They are getting pumped for 50 points week in and week out, I can't watch that, so I don't. There have been some incredible moments, they pretty much beat every team once (just like Japan).

Even more bizarre, they would be based out of Hawaii. LulWAT!? On what planet is Winston on thinking that's a good idea? So many reasons it's a bad idea. The ONLY possible way they are saveable, is being based in Australia.

NOT NZ, not the Islands, Australia. It's the only reasonable option. Travel to Hawaii is 12 hours, that puts them at a massive disadvantage on so many levels.

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#3500045 3-Jun-2026 22:29

I have been a Reuben Love should go to 10 for a while now. I have made no bones about the fact I believe Robertson did NZ a disservice continuing what had been tried an failed so many times before, making DM a test level 10, and to have persisted with that for as long as he did, was poor team management.

Ignoring Rennies absolutely bonkers claims we are blessed at 10 (what a joke!), I feel we currently don't good enough options at 10. RL would rightfully, be first cab off the ranks, and I know this will go down like a cold cup of sick with the anti Crusaders brigade, but I feel like Reihana should be called into the squad and see if they can get a look at him or at least get him into the environment for a bit. I know Mo'unga is back before the RWC, but I can't help but think we need to start providing a succession plan that has more depth than a single player at 10.

Rehihana had a pretty tough year the first year of Penneys tenure, and he felt well off the pace, but right now, I feel he is consistently good. Taha Kemera was another I felt didn't go that well, but I felt he was quite a step above his previous standards, against the Hurricanes, when Reihana went off injured early. I thought we were potentially cooked. I suspect many would be calling for Jacumb to be considered after Love, however, I think he's been an extremely mixed bag this year, clearly isn't happy at the Chiefs, and I personally feel he should be assesed based on his first year with the Highlanders (Though under Joseph, the Highlanders look pretty awful, and it's not a great way to help shine a new 10 given they aren't consistently generating front foot ball).

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JPNZ

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#3500080 4-Jun-2026 07:54

The bailout is wrong and the move to Hawaii is pie in the sky stuff... The whole thing is a basket case

I see the NZ taxpayer is already owed over 2.75 Million with a loan provided by Sport NZ that we will never see back. Good money after bad IMHO

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