Big George Foreman passes away at 76

Not only a great fighter but a great character of the sport

RIP Champ

@Duluth said in All Blacks 2025:

@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:

Goal kicking aside I am not as down on Kemara as you seem to be. He is performing a role (as opposed to running the backline) and is a running threat. He's doing better than I expected.

He's doing ok which is a big improvement. He looked like a dud until this year.

He's doing better because Crusaders have taken a whole heap off his plate.

@Grooter said in SR U20s 2025:

Kyan Rangitutia has looked good over the week but I of course have an eye patch on

He’s been unreal. For an under 20 he sure isn’t built like one. One of the biggest and fastest on the field. Hopefully he keep progressing because that’s a scary talent. One to keep an eye on

@Bovidae said in NZ Schools Rugby 2025:

I assume it's because the NZ Schools team won't get to play the Australian U18s (the irony).

Yes.

Also here is AI summary of the rest of schools complaints:

Possibly compromises elite students' education.
Undermines volunteer support for First XV rugby.
Downgrades the NZSS team to a trial role.
Reflects poor communication and a takeover of schoolboy rugby by NZR.
Risks scheduling conflicts with academic priorities.
Ignores schools' successful talent development history.

Some ugly bowling figures there, only Neesh going for under 10.

Am absolute hiding

Still some really good talent carving it up against the Roosters at NSW Cup level, standouts in particular are Boyd and TMM.

Hawkes Bay and Southland club competitions start today.

@Naitokani Sky Sport Now has highlights videos and the full game of the Canterbury Auckland final in Te Reo.

@Bones said in Formula 1:

Lawson really isn't looking flash.

Why? There is zero difference between Max and him. 2 + 0 = 20

1.6M views · 9K reactions | I’m as confused as he is 🤣 (🎥 SaleFC)... 1.6M views · 9K reactions | I’m as confused as he is 🤣 (🎥 SaleFC)...

I’m as confused as he is 🤣 (🎥 SaleFC) #rugby #rugbyunion #rugbylife.

@Bones said in Highlanders 2025:

@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:

@Bones said in Highlanders 2025:

@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:

@Bones said in Highlanders 2025:

@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders 2025:

He was noticed by the ABs and ABs XV coaching staff over quite a few other flashier players

Chay Fihaki?

Apples and oranges

Racist bigot.

I may not be aware of everything but is this a serious comment?

Depends on which one you think is the apple and which is the orange.

Haig is definitely the orange

@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:

@Machpants said in Super Rugby 2025:

@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:

@frugby said in Super Rugby 2025:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360619419/moana-pasifika-star-kyren-taumoefolau-eyes-unprecedented-switch-tonga-all-blacks

This prompts an interesting question for next year... if he really does want to be an AB, he probably switches to a different side - what's his landing spot? Canes? Crusaders? Chiefs?

Canes are probably the one that need wingers the most tbh. Our only half decent wing is Naholo.

It seems stupid though that Ardie can play for them and be an AB but he has to move. Maybe we start picking guys out of Moana as well?

He's the form Super winger alongside Tangitau this year.

There are agreements on the number of ABs that can play for MP (3?) or maybe more correctly players unavailable for Tonga or Samoa. And it is a good look for Ardie to go and help MP whiclst still being an AB. It's a bad look for NZR to 'steal' (yes they're mostly kiwis and based in NZ and paid for by NZ but optics) a MP player. So the players have the sense to sign somewhere else to pursue their ABs dream.

That makes sense, it's just a pain for them that they have to shift, especially if they are thriving at Moana, which is great for the comp.

cf Aumua

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360615057/born-run-remarkable-story-sam-ruthes-fast-track-middle-distance-greatness?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

486055359_18491550772027562_8923526949784763287_n.jpg

Unavailable for selection: Shiray Kaka, Akuila Rokolisoa, Lewis Ormond, Roderick Solo, Xavier Tito-Harris.

@MiketheSnow said in Six Nations Wrap Up:

@Machpants said in Six Nations Wrap Up:

@MiketheSnow said in Six Nations Wrap Up:

Vintcent for me

Biarrey will get it.

Incidentally, I watched a vid of Biarrey's 6N tries and I could have scored 6 of the 8.

Is that you, Will?

Mike I reckon you could have scored six, possibly seven, of those tries

Well that's Hirini's replacement sorted

@Dodge said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:

heard on a podcast last night that Kinghorn will likely be playing for Toulouse in the T14 final the day of the first tour match, then probably miss the second as he'll be in the air, and the third because of jet lag - i hadn't been sure whether to go with Keenan or Kinghorn at 15 but that firms up my view now i think.

The Top 14 final is 28 June, the first Test isn't until 19 July. Don't think Kinghorn would have any issues being ready for that. He could still play in any of the warm-up games on 5 July, 9 July or 12 July.

Does raise an interesting question though of whether Kinghorn would give up the chance of playing in a Top 14 final so that he can tour with the Lions (but it's not an issue in this case).

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360622084/revealed-first-images-new-auckland-stadium-complex-steven-adams-joins-all-star-backers

A soccer stadium at Western Springs would work.

I wonder if the first half of the NPC could be moved there too?

Precisely - looking for the biggest mismatch before the eventual upset.

@mariner4life said in Other Cricket:

hey @Chris any insight in to whether or not Ussie just wanted the weekend off to go to the motor racing, not really expecting Qld to need him again this season?

Yeah phantom hammy Qld cricket pretty pissed off,
I can’t say too much but no record of any injury.
That I know for certain.
Ussie is a top bloke though really down to earth .