Planet Rugby Forum

mrbrownstone

Hi all, this will be the first and last you'll hear of it (well, it's in the Lions thread too, sue me), don't wanna be the annoying guy flogging stuff on here, however some of you might be aware I've recently started writing about rugby on Substack. It's gotten a decent response so far and I'm plan...

mrbrownstone

Hi all, this will be the first and last you'll hear of it (well, it's in the Lions thread too, sue me), don't wanna be the annoying guy flogging stuff on here, however some of you might be aware I've recently started writing about rugby on Substack. It's gotten a decent response so far and I'm plann...

mrbrownstone

Hi all, this will be the first and last you'll hear of it (well, it's in the Lions thread too, sue me), don't wanna be the annoying guy flogging stuff on here, however, some of you might be aware I've recently started writing about rugby on Substack. It's gotten a decent response so far and I'm plan...

mrbrownstone

He wouldn't have made the Canes roster. Aumua and Devery as fit and first choice would mean he's 3rd choice fighting Tuputupu ( who he would beat to a spot I think) but who moves to be 3rd choice at best. The bloos however . . . I'd rate him ahead of Devery. The guy selected for NZ Maori? That Deve...

mrbrownstone

Reiko out, Sevu to the left, Jordan to the right, Jordie onto the bench. The All Blacks have been forced to scratch a starting winger for the second time in as many weeks. Rieko Ioane has been ruled out of Saturday’s third test against France in Hamilton due to a “tight hamstring”, the All Blacks c...

mrbrownstone

Reiko out, Sevu to the left, Jordan to the right, Jordie onto the bench. The All Blacks have been forced to scratch a starting winger for the second time in as many weeks. Rieko Ioane has been ruled out of Saturday’s third test against France in Hamilton due to a “tight hamstring”, the All Blacks co...

mrbrownstone

I'd rate him ahead of Devery. I suspect a fair few non-Crusaders fans who didn't watch all our games aren't aware of just how good he was for us during the middle of the season. I'd go as far as saying if he wasn't playing for us this year we don't win the comp, because we wouldn't have earned as m...

mrbrownstone

They rated Taylor, Bell, Letiu and Oudenryn ahead of him. Can't blame the guy. I really think the other provinces missed a trick. Canes, Landers and Blues need hookers This is understandable from a Crusaders POV (having three starting-quality hookers is greedy), but the others missed a massive tric...

mrbrownstone

I think it’s a shocker - he was a stand out ffs. They rated Taylor, Bell, Letiu and Oudenryn ahead of him. Can't blame the guy. I really think the other provinces missed a trick. Canes, Landers and Blues need hookers This is understandable from a Crusaders POV (having three starting-quality hookers...

mrbrownstone

He is seen to be creating and impacting play significantly. Roigard, Ardie and Jordan are very visibly standing out in traffic. You notice them clearly. Rieko running back a kick 20 metres in open space doesn't really stand out especially when nothing much results from it. But I hope he stands out ...

mrbrownstone

Also noted that Lord has been named for the Naki in the shield game tomorrow, so maybe available going forward for RC? Darry should be fit for Canterbury's warmup against Manawatu Saturday week. Should he? Thats good news. With both coming back, I can see why they not rushing to put in another lock...

mrbrownstone

Something else I've come across this week: Total dominant tackles (first two Tests) =1. Billy Proctor (3) =1. Ollie Norris (3) 3. Reiko Ioane (2) Ollie Norris’ numbers stand out here in particular. In 58 minutes of game time, he has made 11 of his 12 attempted tackles, with three of these (27%) bein...

mrbrownstone

He might have those wonderful numbers, but they mean jack shit when you look at how effective they've been. When you see how effective the other guys have been, he doesn't rate. Perhaps DMac hasn't been quite as good as the other 3, but even in test 1 he made some good runs. Define effective? He is...

mrbrownstone

Murdoch wrote: ↑Thu Jul 17, 2025 9:18 pm
Dan54. wrote: ↑Thu Jul 17, 2025 8:57 pm Also noted that Lord has been named for the Naki in the shield game tomorrow, so maybe available going forward for RC?
Darry should be fit for Canterbury's warmup against Manawatu Saturday week.

Fantastic news all round.

mrbrownstone

IMO he's now a first choice All Black lock. I didn't expect him to look so comfortable so quickly. I expect he will never cede the starting jersey again throughout his career. I've rarely seen a tight forward so purpose-built for Test rugby from the outset. Wow Even Dogrolls' 2 biggest fans have do...

mrbrownstone

Something I've come across in my writing and research this week: Reiko Ioane is averaging 7 metres per carry so far this series on the wing. No other All Black averages more than 6. These are the top 5 All Blacks by total metres so far (metres/carry in brackets). Ardie Savea (127m, 4.09 metres/carr...

mrbrownstone

Some reasonably famous surnames, in that Samoan team…

mrbrownstone

Grandpa wrote: ↑Thu Jul 17, 2025 8:42 am
Akkerman wrote: ↑Thu Jul 17, 2025 8:37 am
Strong team?

Stronger, at least.

mrbrownstone

BlueThunder wrote: ↑Thu Jul 17, 2025 6:31 am I assume Ah Kuoi is some kind of contractual thing. They don’t want him locked in as an All Black for a game or two on the bench.

I think this is likely a factor too, though you’d hope it wasn’t.

mrbrownstone

Something I've come across in my writing and research this week: Reiko Ioane is averaging 7 metres per carry so far this series on the wing. No other All Black averages more than 6. These are the top 5 All Blacks by total metres so far (metres/carry in brackets). Ardie Savea (127m, 4.09 metres/carr...

mrbrownstone

1. Because the current structure is seemingly not sustainable 2. Because the game’s popularity seems to be shrinking I agree, but can we not restructure it in a way that complements, rather than cannibalises, Test rugby? You seem to frame it as either/or unless I'm misunderstanding. I actually agre...

mrbrownstone

If only the intention of SR was not merely to prepare All Blacks….. https://www.mediaite.com/opinion/college-football-is-facing-an-existential-crisis-heres-an-out-of-the-box-idea-to-save-it/ I understand the point you're making and do (at least partially) agree, but, looking at it from a purely on-...

mrbrownstone

Something I've come across in my writing and research this week: Reiko Ioane is averaging 7 metres per carry so far this series on the wing. No other All Black averages more than 6. These are the top 5 All Blacks by total metres so far (metres/carry in brackets). Ardie Savea (127m, 4.09 metres/carry...

mrbrownstone

It's so sad that the NPC has become a feeder comp and nothing else. A disgrace. The NZRU should be ashamed of themselves. I grew up watching the NPC and boy was that great. I'd go to Eden Park and watch the boys smash everyone. I still remember when we beat Otago in the final, what a moment that wa...

mrbrownstone

a I might have missed it, yes, but an announcement from CM is not an official AB confirmation. Do you have that for me? No worries, mate. I'll just email Razor and get the official word from the horse's mouth (I'm not going back through them all, but listen to one of his recent team announcement in...

mrbrownstone

BlueThunder wrote: ↑Thu Jul 17, 2025 5:09 am The Crusaders bias is actually getting ridiculous now, I’ve had just about enough of ol’ cyclops Robertson.

Personally, I'm sick of Tauranga-born former-BOP representative Razor favouring his beloved hometown Chiefs.

mrbrownstone

IMO he's now a first choice All Black lock. I didn't expect him to look so comfortable so quickly. I expect he will never cede the starting jersey again throughout his career. I've rarely seen a tight forward so purpose-built for Test rugby from the outset. With the added bonus he has an 80 minute ...

mrbrownstone

Enzedder wrote: ↑Thu Jul 17, 2025 3:27 am No squad yet but we have a major sponsor signed up which is always a good thing.

Priorities

(It is, of course, a great thing at a time when these unions are struggling to turn a profit).

mrbrownstone

This will be Samisoni Taukieaho’s first Test start at hooker in 670 days, since the World Cup Pool game against Namibia on September 16, 2023. Great to see him back, as he was quietly becoming world-class before that.

mrbrownstone

Yeah it's a well thought out selection given the players we have available. The Chiefs players should bring a strong level of cohesion. All this complaining about Finau being our reserve lock is just the usual posters being alarmist. Our lineout has been exceptional this year, so perhaps we should ...

mrbrownstone

You also missed when Papili'i was officially called in. Don't be a dufus, Mr B, it is unbecoming. Well, no, I didn't, because that actually happened. You may have, though. :lol: https://i.ibb.co/k6zgV5Dx/Screenshot-2025-07-17-at-12-05-19-PM.png Given the subsequent injury to another loose forward, ...

mrbrownstone

I would not be surprised at a stuttering or closer performance, but I'd still be immensely surprised if we lost. I still think this team's ability to generate points and opportunities at home should be several classes clear of the French. My only concern is that last week we made hay while France a...

mrbrownstone

Given the subsequent injury to another loose forward, Vai'i, presumably Papali'i remained as cover once Jacobson was fit again. Can you please point me to a similar announcement for Ah Kuoi? This was the most important one https://chiefs.co.nz/news-item/vibes-versatility-naitoa-ah-kuoi-stays-with-g...

mrbrownstone

BlueThunder wrote: ↑Thu Jul 17, 2025 3:09 am Hopefully Hotham gets some decent amount of time and him and Ratima are playing off for bench spot.

Would have loved to see him get a start, but that would have wrecked the Chiefs combos. His time will come.

mrbrownstone

I really like what we've done in selecting a 'spine' with an in-built combination. 2/8/9/10/12/13 are all Chiefs. This should help with cohesion in a somewhat experimental team. One thing I might have done is selected Jordan at 14 as an experienced head and calming voice at the back to help Love th...

mrbrownstone

Yeah, not sure why they brought Ah Koui in... He was only ever brought in for training opposition, wasn't officially in squad from my understanding. Neither was Dalton Papalii.... For posters on a rugby forum, some of you pay very little attention. https://i.ibb.co/k6zgV5Dx/Screenshot-2025-07-17-at...

mrbrownstone

Yeah, not sure why they brought Ah Koui in... Did I miss the announcement where he was officially called up? (Not trying to be a dick, genuinely asking.) I though he was always just training cover and they were relatively clear about that? You also missed when Papili'i was officially called in. Don...

mrbrownstone

Are we disrespecting France by selecting a B team? I would not be surprised at all if the team selected loses. I would not be surprised at a stuttering or closer performance, but I'd still be immensely surprised if we lost. I still think this team's ability to generate points and opportunities at h...

mrbrownstone

I really like what we've done in selecting a 'spine' with an in-built combination. 2/8/9/10/12/13 are all Chiefs. This should help with cohesion in a somewhat experimental team. One thing I might have done is selected Jordan at 14 as an experienced head and calming voice at the back to help Love thr...

mrbrownstone

Seems a bit of overkill having two opensides on the bench. Don’t get it. Yeah, not sure why they brought Ah Koui in... Did I miss the announcement where he was officially called up? (Not trying to be a dick, genuinely asking.) I though he was always just training cover and they were relatively clea...

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