Planet Rugby Forum

Cannot wait for the SRA season to begin. And what a great match to kick things off with!

Interesting that there are some Friday night matches this year, when last season was only Sat and Sunday matches.

Unfortunately I suspect the Saders will win this comfortably, and even worse, pay no respect to the trophy pictured having shephered it to Dunedin for no apparent reason. I have no doubt Codie Taylor will throw it beautifully overhead into the Leith River at the end of a long evening.

jdogscoop wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 2:42 pm Unfortunately I suspect the Saders will win this comfortably, and even worse, pay no respect to the trophy pictured having shephered it to Dunedin for no apparent reason. I have no doubt Codie Taylor will throw it beautifully overhead into the Leith River at the end of a long evening.

The Highlanders were very competitive last year, and were a few key moments away from being genuine contenders at the end of the season. They lost a number of games by very small margins. Your team will have big advantage in the backrow and at halfback, and they boast the two best young locks in NZ in PPP and Selby-Ricket.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how Liam Squire fares coming back into NZ Rugby after such a long break. And I think Solomon Alaimalo is a great recruit, and will bring balance, composure and x factor to the Highlanders outside backs.

Does anyone know if there is a stand down period for AB players this year to start the season? I hope not, always hated them. It effectively punishes teams for producing AB's. It also completely devalued SR.

Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 3:30 am Does anyone know if there is a stand down period for AB players this year to start the season? I hope not, always hated them. It effectively punishes teams for producing AB's. It also completely devalued SR.

ABs don’t join their teams until 1 February and can only play 40 minutes pre-season. I don’t know if there is an official stand down to start the year but those restrictions would likely force sides to ease their ABs back in even if there wasn’t.

I am looking forward to how the Highlanders go this year. According to some, Tony Brown is a coaching messiah so if anyone can turn those tight losses around, Highlander fans must believe it is him.

Rugby is really boring me these days. I'm looking forward more to the start of the F1 season. Quite a change up.

mr bungle wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:44 am Rugby is really boring me these days. I'm looking forward more to the start of the F1 season. Quite a change up.

That's sad to hear. I found the All Black season in 2020 a bit boring last year, but SR Aotearoa was unreal. As was the Mitre 10 Cup. And I'm also looking forward to the Trans-Tasman cross over matches.

Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:07 am

mr bungle wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:44 am Rugby is really boring me these days. I'm looking forward more to the start of the F1 season. Quite a change up.

That's sad to hear. I found the All Black season in 2020 a bit boring last year, but SR Aotearoa was unreal. As was the Mitre 10 Cup. And I'm also looking forward to the Trans-Tasman cross over matches.

The quality of SRA was very good, it just means fudge all to me. I've always enjoyed watching rugby with others. As you get older those opportunities quickly diminish. The total production is average to boot. The constant want to add jokey former players like Dagg and Wheeler, the token state-the-obvious female former player. We are incredibly poorly served. I'd rather watch NBA or F1 whose productions from start to finish are world class.

mr bungle wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:27 am

Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:07 am

mr bungle wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:44 am Rugby is really boring me these days. I'm looking forward more to the start of the F1 season. Quite a change up.

That's sad to hear. I found the All Black season in 2020 a bit boring last year, but SR Aotearoa was unreal. As was the Mitre 10 Cup. And I'm also looking forward to the Trans-Tasman cross over matches.

The quality of SRA was very good, it just means fudge all to me. I've always enjoyed watching rugby with others. As you get older those opportunities quickly diminish. The total production is average to boot. The constant want to add jokey former players like Dagg and Wheeler, the token state-the-obvious female former player. We are incredibly poorly served. I'd rather watch NBA or F1 whose productions from start to finish are world class.

I can relate to your post. The days of going to matches, or even the pub or a house, with a group of mates to watch the Rugby are long gone for me as well. With SRA kick-offs at 4pm or earlier here in QLD, I don't even have a beer/drink when I watch Rugby these days. If I start drinking at 4pm I'll be tucked away in bed by eight. With my wife and kids not keen on Rugby, I generally watch it alone. I've learned to cope with that.

As for the commentators, I also really hate Dagg and Wheeler. Whichever TV big-wigs think that Joe Wheeler has what it takes to be a TV commentator deserve to be drawn and quartered. But I like most of the other Rugby commentators, and there is quality like Kane Hames coming through. I think Laban is the worst, actually.

Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:32 am

mr bungle wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:27 am

Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:07 am

mr bungle wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:44 am Rugby is really boring me these days. I'm looking forward more to the start of the F1 season. Quite a change up.

That's sad to hear. I found the All Black season in 2020 a bit boring last year, but SR Aotearoa was unreal. As was the Mitre 10 Cup. And I'm also looking forward to the Trans-Tasman cross over matches.

The quality of SRA was very good, it just means fudge all to me. I've always enjoyed watching rugby with others. As you get older those opportunities quickly diminish. The total production is average to boot. The constant want to add jokey former players like Dagg and Wheeler, the token state-the-obvious female former player. We are incredibly poorly served. I'd rather watch NBA or F1 whose productions from start to finish are world class.

I can relate to your post. The days of going to matches, or even the pub or a house, with a group of mates to watch the Rugby are long gone for me as well. With SRA kick-offs at 4pm or earlier here in QLD, I don't even have a beer/drink when I watch Rugby these days. If I start drinking at 4pm I'll be tucked away in bed by eight. With my wife and kids not keen on Rugby, I generally watch it alone. I've learned to cope with that.

As for the commentators, I also really hate Dagg and Wheeler. Whichever TV big-wigs think that Joe Wheeler has what it takes to be a TV commentator deserve to be drawn and quartered. But I like most of the other Rugby commentators, and there is quality like Kane Hames coming through. I think Laban is the worst, actually.

Kane Hames was very good in the Mitre10; good to have someone who can tell what is going on in the scrums. Does Scotty Stephenson not do rugby anymore, just cricket?

What happened to Mauger, was he fired for Brown or has he moved on? Where's he gone? The 2 coaches for this match are the ones I'd like to see combine to coach the ABs.

Always have a beer when I watch a match involving a team I support; reminds me of more social times. After watching the northern comps, I'm looking forward to SRA, but I am disappointed there won't be the Saffas anymore.

Stevenson let Sky prior to the last RWC, and is now working for One News as a sports reporter and heading up sports coverage like the America's Cup for them. He's also contrcted to Spark Sport and commentated the last RWC as well as NZ domestic cricket this season.

mr bungle wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:27 am

Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:07 am

mr bungle wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:44 am Rugby is really boring me these days. I'm looking forward more to the start of the F1 season. Quite a change up.

That's sad to hear. I found the All Black season in 2020 a bit boring last year, but SR Aotearoa was unreal. As was the Mitre 10 Cup. And I'm also looking forward to the Trans-Tasman cross over matches.

The quality of SRA was very good, it just means fudge all to me. I've always enjoyed watching rugby with others. As you get older those opportunities quickly diminish. The total production is average to boot. The constant want to add jokey former players like Dagg and Wheeler, the token state-the-obvious female former player. We are incredibly poorly served. I'd rather watch NBA or F1 whose productions from start to finish are world class.

I don't watch build ups for SRA and the NPC so don't get all the crap before it to wade through, and I think by and large the women have actually been good additions, they seem more knowledgeable, well spoke, and better looking than the other former players on the team.

I'm a bit of a a game purist so I don't really care what goes on around the match itself, I don't care if the crowd doesn't sing like they're a Welsh choir or a chav in a ben sherman shirt and white sneakers at the soccer.

I'm also happy watching rugby by myself, I might even prefer it - same with TV, a couple of my mates get together to watch tv dramas but I prefer to watch by myself at my own speed.

Also, I don't give a shit about cars going round in circles and am too short for NBA so I'm stuck with rugby.

There is a high population of rugby loving expats from the UK and New Zealand in my little corner of Melbourne so I have the privilege of being part of a packed local pub for big test matches. It really is an awesome atmosphere.

jdogscoop wrote: ↑Sun Jan 17, 2021 3:16 am There is a high population of rugby loving expats from the UK and New Zealand in my little corner of Melbourne so I have the privilege of being part of a packed local pub for big test matches. It really is an awesome atmosphere.

That's really cool.

Okay, my guess at the Crusaders 23 for this match. Obviously very hard to predict this early in the pre-season.

15. Havili
14. Reece
13. Fainga'anuku
12. Goodhue
11. Jordan
10. Mo'unga
9. Hall

8. Douglas
7. Christie
6. Grace
5. Whitelock
4. Barrett
3. Ala'alatoa
2. Taylor
1. Moody

16. Makalio
17. Bower
18. Newell
19. Strange
20. Blackadder
21. Drummond
22. Burke
23. Ranger

Bump, under a month now until the start of Super Rugby Aotearoa.

It will be good to start chatting about Rugby again, and be able to bump some of these circular Covid-19 and US politics threads off page 1.

Andrew Makalio has been ruled out for the season for the Crusaders. He's a big loss as he had provided great cover for Codie Taylor over the years.

I expect the Landers to show instant improvement under the Kaitangata Kid, Tony Brown.

As a coach Brown really knows his onions and, almost as importantly, hails from the region.

With several muddling seasons having passed since their epic 2015 triumph they needed to get a head coach in who really knows how this side ticks.

Mauger showed signs of improvement last year but ran out of time. The fact he is a Canterbury boy didn't help. The Crusaders are hated almost as much as the Blues in the deep south.

jdogscoop wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 1:38 am I expect the Landers to show instant improvement under the Kaitangata Kid, Tony Brown.

As a coach Brown really knows his onions and, almost as importantly, hails from the region.

With several muddling seasons having passed since their epic 2015 triumph they needed to get a head coach in who really knows how this side ticks.

Mauger showed signs of improvement last year but ran out of time. The fact he is a Canterbury boy didn't help. The Crusaders are hated almost as much as the Blues in the deep south.

The Highlanders were super competitive against every other team last year, and I expect them to be the same this year. They have put together a very strong squad, with the best backrow depth in the comp, the two best 9's in Super Rugby, two of the best 10's in the country, potent options out wide, great locks and quality at hooker. Where they are a bit light is in the midfield and at prop, but overall they have a great squad. If Tony Brown is as good as people say he is then this squad should be pressing for silverware this year.

The Saders v Landers prequel friendly coming up soon.....The Farmlands Cup is back for February 12th 2021, and the Crusaders are heading South to take on the Highlanders in Temuka.

Will be good to see the lads have a go in a warm up match before the SRNZ kickoff........

Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Sun Jan 17, 2021 4:06 am Okay, my guess at the Crusaders 23 for this match. Obviously very hard to predict this early in the pre-season.

15. Havili
14. Reece
13. Fainga'anuku
12. Goodhue
11. Jordan
10. Mo'unga
9. Hall

8. Douglas
7. Christie
6. Grace
5. Whitelock
4. Barrett
3. Ala'alatoa
2. Taylor
1. Moody

16. Makalio
17. Bower
18. Newell
19. Strange
20. Blackadder
21. Drummond
22. Burke
23. Ranger

Three weeks after posting this XXIII, obviously Makalio won't be playing. I'd switch Grace to 8 and Blackadder to 6, and move Douglas to the bench.

Interesting that this week that Crusaders are playing the Highlanders in a trial, and Fainga'anuku will play half a match at wing and half a match at centre. I think he's going to be our first choice 13 by the end of this season.

Less than two weeks for this match.

I'm getting very excited about this game. Mainly because matches between the Crusaders and Highlanders are always close, tough contests. We don't really have genuine local derbies in NZ Super Rugby, but this is the closest there is to one. These two teams will both be totally fired up for this fixture.

For the Chiefs / Waikato the local derby is Auckland (especially after they won the Ranfurly shield in the early 90s off one of the best club sides ever to play.

I’m not sure the Auckland supporters care. You used to be an Auckland supporter - did the game vs Chiefs/Waikato mean anything?

Sept 1993 -

kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 4:54 am For the Chiefs / Waikato the local derby is Auckland (especially after they won the Ranfurly shield in the early 90s off one of the best club sides ever to play.

I’m not sure the Auckland supporters care. You used to be an Auckland supporter - did the game vs Chiefs/Waikato mean anything?

Sept 1993 -

I'm not sure what your Ranfurly Shield pic has to do with Super Rugby rivalries?

I'd argue that the Crusaders vs Blues and Crusaders vs Chiefs rivalry is bigger than the Blues vs Chiefs one.

Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 7:15 am [quote="kiwigreg369 " post_id=6819485 time=<a href="tel:1613188499">1613188499</a> user_id=1081]
For the Chiefs / Waikato the local derby is Auckland (especially after they won the Ranfurly shield in the early 90s off one of the best club sides ever to play.

I’m not sure the Auckland supporters care. You used to be an Auckland supporter - did the game vs Chiefs/Waikato mean anything?

Sept 1993 -

I'm not sure what your Ranfurly Shield pic has to do with Super Rugby rivalries?

I'd argue that the Crusaders vs Blues and Crusaders vs Chiefs rivalry is bigger than the Blues vs Chiefs one.
[/quote]

The Chiefs / Blues rivalry is based off that NPC/Ranfurly shield rivalry. As a Chiefs supporter.

I’ve never been sure Auckland supporters have seen it that way - so I was asking you when you were an Auckland supporter if you thought the Chiefs was the ‘local derby’. Obviously they’re physicallly the closest rivalry but I’m wondering if it was little brother / big brother.

I assume that the Blue / Saders rivalry is derived from the Auckland vs Canta rivalry- which obviously makes your conversion to a Saders supporter more remarkable.

kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 8:13 am The Chiefs / Blues rivalry is based off that NPC/Ranfurly shield rivalry. As a Chiefs supporter.

I’ve never been sure Auckland supporters have seen it that way - so I was asking you when you were an Auckland supporter if you thought the Chiefs was the ‘local derby’. Obviously they’re physicallly the closest rivalry but I’m wondering if it was little brother / big brother.

I assume that the Blue / Saders rivalry is derived from the Auckland vs Canta rivalry- which obviously makes your conversion to a Saders supporter more remarkable.

I was never a Blues supporter. That was a joke on a random thread that no-one found funny but you have latched on to and are now obsessing about, as you are prone to doing occasionally. Have you tired of calling me an "Australian", as a way of trolling me and devaluing my support for the All Blacks? Will you now be trolling me for being an Aucklander?

Is that the best you can do? That you were joking?
Really - Shirley you can do better than that.

I’ve probably called you an Australian, you are one so I guess it’s factually right. I have said that I didn’t think you were a kiwi - and of course its not that there’s anything wrong with that. If you wish to support the Saders, or NZ, good for you.

As you said you called out you used to support Auckland, before you switched to the Saders. Obviously I won’t know exactly which was your lie.

kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 10:31 am Is that the best you can do? That you were joking?
Really - Shirley you can do better than that.

I’ve probably called you an Australian, you are one so I guess it’s factually right. I have said that I didn’t think you were a kiwi - and of course its not that there’s anything wrong with that. If you wish to support the Saders, or NZ, good for you.

As you said you called out you used to support Auckland, before you switched to the Saders. Obviously I won’t know exactly which was your lie.

It was clearly a joke, and I said so at the time.

I was born and raised in Christchurch. If I don't qualify as "Kiwi" then that's your problem not mine.

AC. Born in Christchurch. Supported Auckland as a child and now cheers for Australia against all other sides including the All Blacks. Sickening revelations. Sickening.

Just confirming.

The Landers are definitely allergic to beating the Crusaders, right?

jdogscoop wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 11:56 am Just confirming.

The Landers are definitely allergic to beating the Crusaders, right?

Sadly, yes.

kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 10:31 am Is that the best you can do? That you were joking?
Really - Shirley you can do better than that.

I’ve probably called you an Australian, you are one so I guess it’s factually right. I have said that I didn’t think you were a kiwi - and of course its not that there’s anything wrong with that. If you wish to support the Saders, or NZ, good for you.

As you said you called out you used to support Auckland, before you switched to the Saders. Obviously I won’t know exactly which was your lie.

That's rich. When did you last live in NZ?

Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 10:37 am

kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 10:31 am Is that the best you can do? That you were joking?
Really - Shirley you can do better than that.

I’ve probably called you an Australian, you are one so I guess it’s factually right. I have said that I didn’t think you were a kiwi - and of course its not that there’s anything wrong with that. If you wish to support the Saders, or NZ, good for you.

As you said you called out you used to support Auckland, before you switched to the Saders. Obviously I won’t know exactly which was your lie.

It was clearly a joke, and I said so at the time.

I was born and raised in Christchurch. If I don't qualify as "Kiwi" then that's your problem not mine.

I especially liked the little embraced face when you admitted to being an Auckland supporter.

And quite right - your ability to qualify is your business, not mine.

Quite true - you don’t have to prove anything to me.

jdogscoop wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 12:06 pm

kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 10:31 am Is that the best you can do? That you were joking?
Really - Shirley you can do better than that.

I’ve probably called you an Australian, you are one so I guess it’s factually right. I have said that I didn’t think you were a kiwi - and of course its not that there’s anything wrong with that. If you wish to support the Saders, or NZ, good for you.

As you said you called out you used to support Auckland, before you switched to the Saders. Obviously I won’t know exactly which was your lie.

That's rich. When did you last live in NZ?

‘95.

kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 12:37 pm

jdogscoop wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 12:06 pm

kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 10:31 am Is that the best you can do? That you were joking?
Really - Shirley you can do better than that.

I’ve probably called you an Australian, you are one so I guess it’s factually right. I have said that I didn’t think you were a kiwi - and of course its not that there’s anything wrong with that. If you wish to support the Saders, or NZ, good for you.

As you said you called out you used to support Auckland, before you switched to the Saders. Obviously I won’t know exactly which was your lie.

That's rich. When did you last live in NZ?

‘95.

04 for me. Im supposed to be back there now, but you know. COVID.

I got to go back in April ‘19 for my 45th - couple of week visit - and hoping a bubble happens...

kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 12:37 pm

jdogscoop wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 12:06 pm

kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 10:31 am Is that the best you can do? That you were joking?
Really - Shirley you can do better than that.

I’ve probably called you an Australian, you are one so I guess it’s factually right. I have said that I didn’t think you were a kiwi - and of course its not that there’s anything wrong with that. If you wish to support the Saders, or NZ, good for you.

As you said you called out you used to support Auckland, before you switched to the Saders. Obviously I won’t know exactly which was your lie.

That's rich. When did you last live in NZ?

‘95.

You haven't lived in NZ since 95 and you have the audacity to say I'm "not a Kiwi".

Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 9:21 am

kiwigreg369 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 8:13 am The Chiefs / Blues rivalry is based off that NPC/Ranfurly shield rivalry. As a Chiefs supporter.

I’ve never been sure Auckland supporters have seen it that way - so I was asking you when you were an Auckland supporter if you thought the Chiefs was the ‘local derby’. Obviously they’re physicallly the closest rivalry but I’m wondering if it was little brother / big brother.

I assume that the Blue / Saders rivalry is derived from the Auckland vs Canta rivalry- which obviously makes your conversion to a Saders supporter more remarkable.

Will you now be trolling me for being an Aucklander?

Holy shite AC coming out of the Blues closet You don't happen to support Manly as well

Man, this is less than two weeks away? I've been sitting on beaches and swimming in the sea so rugby has been the last thing on my mind.[\shameless I'm on holiday mode]

jdogscoop wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 11:56 am Just confirming.

The Landers are definitely allergic to beating the Crusaders, right?

Yes, you’re always beating us.