Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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#3501225 8-Jun-2026 11:15

MikeAqua:

Based on the weekend performances ...

Hurricanes should easily clean up the Blues.

The other semi is harder for me to pic.

Crusaders were fantastic on attack, but let far too many tries in against the Blues.

Chiefs were clinical in patches but unconvincing in others. They're usually a strong defensive team. Their +/- is 90 ahead of the Crusaders and second only to the Canes.

If the Crusaders are sloppy on D again, or if they get a strict ref, I think they'll lose.

On balance ... I'm guessing a Canes-Chiefs final.

Yeah, I agree with this. However, one extra thing to consider is the mental aspect of playing in knockout finals games. They're like A Game of Thrones - you win or you die. Historically, the Saders have been extremely good at that, while the Chiefs have been rather bad. IMO, it's the mental toughness/frailty which evens this semi up, where the Chiefs would otherwise probably be warm favourites.

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#3501281 8-Jun-2026 12:08

Earbanean:

Yeah, I agree with this. However, one extra thing to consider is the mental aspect of playing in knockout finals games. They're like A Game of Thrones - you win or you die. Historically, the Saders have been extremely good at that, while the Chiefs have been rather bad. IMO, it's the mental toughness/frailty which evens this semi up, where the Chiefs would otherwise probably be warm favourites.

I agree, that the right mentality for a semi matters. The Crusaders have a proud track record of shutting their opponents out of elimination matches. But ... the Crusaders definitely weren't playing finals rugby against the Blues at the weekend. Maybe they thought they didn't need to.

Mike

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#3501293 8-Jun-2026 13:18

So Tony Brown back in 2028. I suppose better with us than with SA, though It's interesting as he has been hired to be an assistant, presumably to Rennie, who hasn't even had his first match yet, and who's results are yet to be seen. I wonder who goes to make space for Brown?

We are the most vulnerable we have been in a generation of Rugby in my opinion. I hope we don't, but it's conceivable we lose the Bled and get nothing in SA. It will be interesting to see if fans think that's 'heading in the right direction', though I suspect Rennie fans will excuse anything.

It is amazing to me that he's been given the leeway he has been. There were claims he was just unlucky with the Wallabies and 'he was building something', but there was no real evidence of that actually. Most penalised, most carded, most losingist, lowest ranked, and most injured in the history of the Wallabies. Yes they got wins against SA, but so have lots of other teams. I keep hopig to hear something from him that indicates he has a handle on the situation, but there is only the usual platitudes etc. I know there isn't much he can say, but even Foster had better analysis and was more real with the press. If you listened to him speak, you had a sense he understood the environment and the players.

Maybe once the team assembles and he gets with them, things might get clearer (Though him not being in NZ for quite a while after being appointed won't help) , but I am struggling to not be pessemistic. Taking into account injuries and the form of many players, despite thumping Australian teams, I am not sure how we sit, prepared for the international season.

I genuinely hope he can prove me wrong, I'd gladly admit it if so.

Priorities should be set peice parity at the least, developing a proper set of battle tested 10's, and ensuring we win the colisions. I'd accept a few losses, if that's the price to get those things.

I think it was smart for him to keep Ryan on. I was disappointed that the forwards didn't maintain the momentum they had gained under Ryan + Foster. Hopefully, Rennie can provide the environment that allows it to spark up again.

Rennie and Barnes are likely to install some mongrel, and steeliness. I saw it with the forwards under Ryan and Foster, but it felt missing under Robertson and Ryan. I hope that doesn't come at the cost of discipline, though Robertsons record there wasn't that great either.

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#3501296 8-Jun-2026 13:32

Havilli and Reece are in some incredible form right now. I'd have loved to see Havilli at 13 with Tavatavanawai at 12 in a combination similar to that of Nonu and Smith. That gives us a battering ram and thinker combination. Tupea and Barrett will almost certainly get the nod though, and that wouldn't upset me.

Barrett was incredible at 12 initially, and he gives us a big body and height and can cover full back and has a decent boot, but he definitely didn't feel as incredible after that first season at 12. Not sure how much of that was on him, vs the game plan or play style.

Reece wasn't as visible in the prior seasons, but still made massive contributions elsewhere on the field, I think it's a shame he wouldn't get to see what he could produce under a different coach.

I think we are sorted at lock for now, I think we are OK at 9 (in pecking order I'd probably pick Roigard, and then Hotham probably gets the nod, slightly over Preston), but I'd be pretty keen to see Preston get more time in the saddle. Given the opportunity, I think he could be absolutely magic.

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#3502322 12-Jun-2026 12:48

Does anyone know a good free streaming site to use for rugby? (admin please delete my post if it's not allowed)

I was using cricfree.sx until about a year ago and that has gone, then I was using vipbox and that worked fine last friday, but on saturday that had also disappeared....

I don't really want to pay $40 + a month for sky sport or a rugby pass just to watch a few rugby games.

I'd happily watch them delayed on sky open, but they aren't showing tonights game at all (at least not tonight) and tomorrow they are showing the Warriors game first and not showing the rugby until 10pm!

if anyone knows a decent site please let me know cheers!

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#3502401 12-Jun-2026 14:01

OnceBitten:

Does anyone know a good free streaming site to use for rugby? (admin please delete my post if it's not allowed)

I was using cricfree.sx until about a year ago and that has gone, then I was using vipbox and that worked fine last friday, but on saturday that had also disappeared....

I don't really want to pay $40 + a month for sky sport or a rugby pass just to watch a few rugby games.

I'd happily watch them delayed on sky open, but they aren't showing tonights game at all (at least not tonight) and tomorrow they are showing the Warriors game first and not showing the rugby until 10pm!

if anyone knows a decent site please let me know cheers!

Other than the delayed viewings on NZ Platforms, I am unsure what to suggest. Personally even 3 games would entertainment at < $10 an hour. Alternatively. Bar, or local sports club, or go to a friends house?

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#3502498 12-Jun-2026 20:52

Well I guess that was the one to win of the three games against the Crusaders this season.

Have the Chiefs played their final a week early?

At least everyone can put to bed the conversation between Tupaea and Havili. It was like a man playing against a boy.

OnceBitten

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#3502513 12-Jun-2026 22:35

networkn:

Other than the delayed viewings on NZ Platforms, I am unsure what to suggest. Personally even 3 games would entertainment at < $10 an hour. Alternatively. Bar, or local sports club, or go to a friends house?

Thanks for some reason vipbox decided to work tonight so it was all good!

OnceBitten

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#3502515 12-Jun-2026 22:36

tukapa1:

Well I guess that was the one to win of the three games against the Crusaders this season.

Have the Chiefs played their final a week early?

At least everyone can put to bed the conversation between Tupaea and Havili. It was like a man playing against a boy.

Chiefs played out of their skin tonight and the Crusaders just didn't have an answer.... Chiefs were scoring at more than a point a minute at one stage

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#3502573 13-Jun-2026 04:33

JPNZ:

JPNZ:

Without taunting the mockers, it will be a NZ top 4 without a doubt. Canes and Chiefs won't lose at home

Well.. that was as predictable as night follows day. I sincerely hope the Chiefs win this weekend against the Crusaders, I'd much rather lose a semi than be outgunned in a final. I also think the Chiefs have the best chance of the three teams left of beating the Hurricanes in Wellington.

Good luck Blues, could see that "semi final" getting pretty ugly.

Completely predictable as will be tomorrow nights semi. So funny seeing chiefs fans act like they won the title already. Barring some serious injuries to the Canes the chiefs maybe the bridesmaids for the 4th year in a row.

Crusaders didn’t have the troops to go deep this year,

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#3502581 13-Jun-2026 09:20

Well, that wasn't fun to watch as a Crusaders fan, they had a very off night. On top of that the Chiefs were in no mood to be eliminated at home again. I am grateful that didn't happen at home for us.

It would be petty to complain about such an evening when the Chiefs had a good reason to put together a performance. Damien MacKenzies 150th game, 100th win and 50th win at FMG Stadium. It would have felt rough for those milstones to have no matched up for someone who has been prominent in NZ Rugby for such a long time. Congrats to him on his acheivements.

Ultimately, no team can take getting past the quarter finals for granted, and whilst I believe we potentially could have taken the title this year, our form and injury probably means 3rd place would be a fair culmunation.

I've complained about other teams discipline (though not as much as I complain about the Crusaders), and about shithousery on the field, but last night the Crusaders were pretty terrible at both.

I'm sorry to see Penny go, esp in those circumstances, a closer loss would have felt more appropriate. I am slightly pessimistic about next year under Hansen.

Well done Chiefs, let's go Canes!

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#3502616 13-Jun-2026 13:02

tukapa1:

At least everyone can put to bed the conversation between Tupaea and Havili. It was like a man playing against a boy.

Ah cmon, Havilli has been absolutely amazing all season. One good or bad game doesn't change that. Havilli had the better of Tupea in the two prior outings, and clearly the entire Crusaders team had a pretty poor night.

I am not saying Havilli will make the AB's this year, but his versatility is greater than Tupeas over all. In an emergency, Havilli can play (and has experience in) 12, 13, 15, and 10. Tupea is a 12. The few times hes been needed at 13, he has been pretty poor.

Earbanean

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#3502627 13-Jun-2026 14:19

Wow, I did not see that coming. I'd had that game as too close to call right up to the kickoff. I'm so glad I went down for the game. I was telling my son on the way down stuck in Auckland motorway traffic, that this probably isn't worth the effort. How wrong. That was well worth the trip - and some.

Perfect, clear winter's night for footy and the Chiefess delivered. While IMO the score did reflect the game, it definitely didn't reflect the quality of the Saders in the second half of the comp. Sometimes, a few missed tackles, the bounce of the ball and the opposition being 'on', just get away from you and before you know it, you're chasing the game. I think that's how it was for the Saders. Their record speaks for itself, and probably won't ever be surpassed. Shame, for some of those players, particularly Sevu Reece, to end their Saders careers on that note. But 'that's sport'.

I think when the Saders look back on this, they'll probably realise that if you're going to lose a semi, then this was a good one to lose. I think regardless of who won last night, a final with the Canes in Welly is a seriously daunting prospect. The only thing in the Chiefs favour going into that, is they will be battle hardened - and have an 8 day turn around.

Note, I don't think I'm being overly disrespectful with assuming a Canes v Chiefs final. Stranger things have happened than the blues winning tonight - but I really can't see it. Would love to have a final in the Tron though.

Earbanean

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#3502630 13-Jun-2026 14:28

networkn:

Ah cmon, Havilli has been absolutely amazing all season. One good or bad game doesn't change that. Havilli had the better of Tupea in the two prior outings, and clearly the entire Crusaders team had a pretty poor night.

I am not saying Havilli will make the AB's this year, but his versatility is greater than Tupeas over all. In an emergency, Havilli can play (and has experience in) 12, 13, 15, and 10. Tupea is a 12. The few times hes been needed at 13, he has been pretty poor.

I agree Havili has been awesome and also agree Tupaea is first and foremost a 12. However, to say he has been 'pretty poor' as a 13 is blatantly wrong. In the Bledisloe last year where he played 13, he scored 2 tries and was man of the match! Razor and Hansen obviously saw him as an option at 13. Not saying I agree, but it will be fascinating to see how Rennie and his team see it. 13 will be one of the really interesting selections this year.

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#3502631 13-Jun-2026 14:29

I didn’t get to see the game live and have just watched it this morning. I admit to expecting the same bogey team result for the Chiefs when coming up against the Crusaders again this time. But I think Jonno Gibbs maybe used that as motivation for his team.

As for Havili, he either didn’t play his usual game or wasn’t allowed to by the Chiefs. The same can be said for Taylor, Reece, Fainga’anuku, etc. The ones that normally make the difference and they really missed Willy J (Jordan) in that match. I wonder a bit if the fortress that Te Kaha has become means that maybe the Crusaders have forgotten how to play outside?

I can’t explain how the Chiefs were able to nullify the Crusaders set pieces. Normally the foundation of their game. But the Chiefs pack outplayed them in almost every facet. I liked Taukei’aho’s comment after the game pointing out that “their forwards did the hard yards to allow their flashy backs to score the tries.” (Bearing in mind that both he and Vaa’i scored tries as well)

I had hoped for a card free game. Unfortunately Coombes-Fabling had other ideas. It was dangerous play but not malicious. There could have just as easily been a repeated infringement one in the final 5 minutes, but I believe Angus Gardner knew the game was beyond doubt and just rolled with it.

I expect the two best teams in the competition to be in the final next week barring the Blues pulling off a miracle.

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