Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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#3507896 2-Jul-2026 08:06

maoriboy:

So more games than last year with only 1 bye, and still that top six rubbish. That's going to make for a long season for the players, and crowd attendance will be spread out even thinner. Don't think this is a win at all.

Hard agree, a rubbish comp just getting more drawn out and worse.

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#3507901 2-Jul-2026 08:29

Wow, I don't think I've ever felt the Super Rugby Comp is rubbish. I'll admit I used to watch it more, but that's a number of factors not to do with the Rugby itself.

What are your key issues with it?

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#3507908 2-Jul-2026 09:01

networkn:

Finau off to Japan. I wonder which way around it was? Rennie said nope, you aren't part of the AB's and Finau decided to chase some coin, or Finau decided to chase some coin and disqualified himself from the AB's?

Yeah, exactly what I was thinking. Which came first, the decision to go offshore or missing the ABs? Exactly the same as with Havili really. FWIW, before the ABs squad was named, The Breakdown guys mentioned that they'd heard those two were heading offshore. So it looks like they'd decided to go before being officially left out of the ABs. However, it's not clear whether the selectors had given them some sort of indication that they wouldn't be selected beforehand.

Edit: Typo

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#3507984 2-Jul-2026 13:13

I am not sure how you'd describe the emotions I am feeling on the selection of the team announced today at 4pm.

It's not all positive or negative.

I am expecting a huge forwards shift and some improvement under the high ball.

I expect a comfortable win and if we don't get that, it's going to be pretty disappointing. The coaching team have made no bones about what they are demanding, it will be interesting to see how the French counter it.

I am hoping for low referee involvement too.

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#3507991 2-Jul-2026 14:14

networkn:

I am hoping for low referee involvement too.

Hmm. Luke Pearce from England. Let's see how that pans out.

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#3507994 2-Jul-2026 14:20

Earbanean:

Hmm. Luke Pearce from England. Let's see how that pans out.

Yeah, I mean, I really want to see the All Blacks not making or giving away silly and largely preventable penalties. Yellow/Red Cards for Dangerous Play, Late tackles, the sort of stuff you shake your head at. Knocking down a ball trying to intercept.

Breakdown and Scrum Penalties are a bit more nuaced and can absolutely vary when dealing with NH vs SH referees.

I'd like to see us keep our penalty count to 5 per half or less. Perhaps a bit optimistic.

The main concern I have right now, is the way Rennie coaches and has said he wants us to play, risks us being overzealous at rucks and mauls, breakdowns. I hope he proves me wrong, but players are more likely to make mistakes like this, when they have been given a rev up.

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#3508014 2-Jul-2026 14:37

Well it's the first test of the year, so I'm not expecting a well polished performance from the AB's.... I'd like to see them win by 10+ and come away with no injuries / concerns

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#3508023 2-Jul-2026 15:03

Tight head prop: Newell, Lomax, Tosi. 3 goes down to 2. One of these very good props doesn't even make the 23.

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#3508026 2-Jul-2026 15:07

Earbanean:

Tight head prop: Newell, Lomax, Tosi. 3 goes down to 2. One of these very good props doesn't even make the 23.

For me, Lomax is good, but not good enough to push Newell or Tosi out. His big advange is his 48 tests over Newells 35 or Tosi's 16.

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#3508027 2-Jul-2026 15:08

OnceBitten:

Well it's the first test of the year, so I'm not expecting a well polished performance from the AB's.... I'd like to see them win by 10+ and come away with no injuries / concerns

I guess that's fair, but Rennie and Barnes have made no bones about the fact there will be no excuses around low prep time, nor it being their first test, or that combinations are new.

I think I'd have been more conservative with my language personally. Under promise and over deliver.

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#3508030 2-Jul-2026 15:18

networkn:

Earbanean:

Tight head prop: Newell, Lomax, Tosi. 3 goes down to 2. One of these very good props doesn't even make the 23.

For me, Lomax is good, but not good enough to push Newell or Tosi out. His big advange is his 48 tests over Newells 35 or Tosi's 16.

I kinda think Tosi might miss out. I'd start Newell and I vaguely recall Ryan really talking up Lomax.

I guess Loose Head, Hooker and Half Back are in the same boat. i.e. 3 must go down to 2, as they can't play any other position. Whereas the rest of the squad can all play at least a couple of positions in the 15 or from the bench.

Really, really hard to predict, but I see Bower, Tosi, Taukei'aho and Ratima as the ones to miss out.

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#3508033 2-Jul-2026 15:23

Earbanean:

I kinda think Tosi might miss out. I'd start Newell and I vaguely recall Ryan really talking up Lomax.

I guess Loose Head, Hooker and Half Back are in the same boat. i.e. 3 must go down to 2, as they can't play any other position. Whereas the rest of the squad can all play at least a couple of positions in the 15 or from the bench.

Really, really hard to predict, but I see Bower, Tosi, Taukei'aho and Ratima as the ones to miss out.

I recall someome (Ryan or one of the other forwards adjacent coaches) saying he couldn't really see a ceiling on Newell, he had the potential to be one of the best we ever had. I agree around Tosi, it's somewhat likely he misses out, but he will absolutely get his chance. Bowers dominant tackle rate was off the charts, it would the main reason to include him I think.

I'll be geniuinely shocked if they exclude Taylor, it would be almost madness, that level of experience? He was excellent all season. I'd say Taylor to Start Taukei'aho off the bench.

Half back, I suspect it's going to be Roigard and Ratima.

It won't surprise me to see Love not start at 10. I'd prefer BB to start and Love for 35 minutes. I won't even be surprised to see him at Full back.

Clarke should be a lock for one wing, and then either Carter or Fehi. I imagine they might be willing to go one wing experienced, one newbie in the backs.

Rennie can't afford to lose this test.

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#3508046 2-Jul-2026 16:00

1.  Ethan de Groot 2. Codie Taylor 3.  Fletcher Newell 4.  Josh Lord 5. Sam Darry 6.  Peter Lakai 7.  Luke Jacobson 8.  Ardie Savea (C) 9.  Cam Roigard 10. Ruben Love 11. Caleb Clarke 12. Jordie Barrett 13. Quinn Tupaea 14. Will Jordan 15. Damian McKenzie (74)

Bench: 16. Asafo Aumua 17. Xavier Numia (uncapped) 18. Tyrel Lomax 19. Patrick Tuipulotu 20. Wallace Sititi 21. Cortez Ratima 22. Billy Proctor 23. Fehi Fineanganofo (uncapped)

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#3508047 2-Jul-2026 16:02

Wow, I did not see a lot of that coming. I called the props and hookers exactly right, but was way off for lots of the rest.

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#3508048 2-Jul-2026 16:03

Quinn Tupaea at 13 is a bit of a surprise to me. Wouldn't have been my first choice.

They decided Will Jordan was fit enough to start.

From the squad, this isn't a bad team. Reasonably happy.

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