Good to see Taylor back considering Sami T seems off the pace and Asafo Aumua is OOA until July

David Skippers  /  May 8  /  Crusaders Crusaders boosted as Codie Taylor and Tamaiti Williams return to action Crusaders boosted as Codie Taylor and Tamaiti Williams return to action

All Blacks front-row duo Codie Taylor and Tamaiti Williams have been named in the Crusaders' starting XV for Saturday's clash with the Highlanders in Dunedin.

@Bovidae said in 2024 School Rugby:

@Nepia The list I posted was from the Warriors website (after a google search). I've no idea what other articles have been published as I don't follow RL that closely anymore. I agree it's a promotion piece.

The player I mentioned who signed for the Titans (Caelys-Paul Putoko) did miss some later Super 8 games last year to play RL although I have no idea who he played for on those weekends. He was still selected for the NZ Schools team though (the starting 12).

That list was posted in the Daily Telegraph too, there seems to be two journos pushing it, a guy I can't remember and a lady named Fatima Kdouh. Kind of embarrassing for Richard Becht to be pushing it as a) a Kiwi and b.) someone who would know that Warriors junior teams have always had kids from rugby schools.

TBH, the hyping of league and attacking of rugby by the media is actually making me turn off the sport a bit (the Warriors returning to their old form might also be playing a part too).

With a flotilla of Fijians there it really has a great atmosphere.

@Cyclops said in Quay Park stadium for Auckland?:

The phoenix draw 15-20k when they play but that's a one off event rather than a whole season. Their average attendance in Wellington has been about 8k, with 3-5k when things are bleak and 10-12 when things are good. I'd guess Auckland will have similar goals, and maybe the popularity of recent phoenix games will help them succeed where the previous attempts failed.

The Auckland franchise will be wise to learn from how the Phoenix has been able to develop a hard core following, because you need that during the ups and downs

Waratahs secure ex-Wallabies and ex-Pumas props on SOS loan deals Waratahs secure ex-Wallabies and ex-Pumas props on SOS loan deals

The NSW Waratahs have secured former Wallabies prop Pone Fa'amausili and ex-Argentine international Enrique Pieretto on loan deals.

May 7  /  Sport NZ Rugby backs down over governance review, board to potentially reapply | Newshub NZ Rugby backs down over governance review, board to potentially reapply | Newshub

The proposal will be put to vote at a special general meeting on May 30.

I'll put it in here, but refs for Autumn Tours been announced

worldrugby.org Match Officials Appointments | World Rugby Match Officials Appointments | World Rugby

World Rugby match official appointments for international matches and tournaments.

Japan XV v Maori All Blacks
Prince Chichibu Memorial Ground, Tokyo
Saturday, 29 June, 2024 Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Luc Ramos (FFR)
Assistant Referee 2: Damian Schneider (UAR)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)

New Zealand v England
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Saturday, 6 July, 2024 Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant Referee 1: Nic Berry (RA)
Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)

Japan XV v Maori All Blacks
Toyota Stadium, Aichi
Saturday, 6 July, 2024 Referee: Damian Schneider (UAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Assistant Referee 2: Luc Ramos (FFR)
TMO: Oli Kellett (RA)

New Zealand v England
Eden Park, Auckland
Saturday, 13 July, 2024 Referee: Nic Berry (RA)
Assistant Referee 1: Damon Murphy (RA)
Assistant Referee 2: George Myers (RA)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)

New Zealand v Fiji
Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, CA
Saturday, 20 July, 2024 Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Damon Murphy (RA)
Assistant Referee 2: Luke Rogan (USAR)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)

@cgrant said in Blues 2024:

In terms of TV audience, the Rugby World Cup comes third after the Soccer World Cup and the Olympic Games. I doubt that the RL will ever reach this level. Rugby's loss of audience is only regional (Australia and New Zealand). In Europe and Japan, stadium attendances and TV audiences are breaking records. The Leinster - Northampton semi-final drew 80,000 spectators on Saturday.

well, you know, more like 11th, after 3 soccer tournaments, two different olympics, Wimbledon, the Superbowl, and the NBA finals.

but your point about the European club game is super valid, and links in to @Duluth point about the competition. It's got history, and most importantly prestige. Also fans and media don't seem to spend their entire time either badmouthing the comp or talking about it in terms of international hopes.

For all that though, is there any domestic rugby comp in the world that is sustainable? English clubs are falling over themselves to go under. French clubs appear to be backed up by owners. Same in Japan. Are the players just paid too damn much for what they actually bring in? (at club level i mean).

Sorry, just realised this is the Blues thread.

@antipodean said in Aussie Pro Rugby:

@KiwiMurph if what's reported is accurate, imagine offering your form centre only a single year deal.

Or he didn't want longer, to keep his options open?

EDIT: Oh yeah AR? Probably cos they spend all their money on that Leaguey under previous management, idiots

Current points table. In theory all four teams can win the tournament.

Screenshot 2024-05-08 at 11.49.49.png

@mariner4life said in NRL 2024:

oh good, we are so fucked

We're playing the Roosters, who are suddenly up and about. Our form is absolute dogshit, and we couldn't score in a brothel with hundred dollar notes tied to our cocks

And so the troops to rescue us:
Fucking Jazz Tevaga, captain dick fingers, die with the ball himself.

And that is it. TMM keeps his spot, somehow. He must be well rested, given he did approximately fuck all on the weekend. Our glacially slow attack is all there (though Capewell not being there probably increases the overall speed to "walk")

Doooooomed

I hate it when I cant disagree with any point lol, apparently we have ot wait until round 14 before any decent cavalry in Nuikore come back.
Capewell looking like a suspect buy at this stage (and I don't think anyone on this board thought he was going to be a success)..imagine if they had funds for a gun second rower now..some real stars on the market

@Duluth said in Crusaders 2024:

is akin to asking them to split the atom.

Ernest is from Nelson, get him in the squad!

@Duluth said in Hurricanes 2024:

Where does this Hurricanes side rank among the franchise's all-time teams Where does this Hurricanes side rank among the franchise's all-time teams

The 2024 Hurricanes won't become the first team in Super Rugby history to put forth an undefeated season, but they may just become the best.

Articles like this make me laugh. For all we know they could bomb out first week in the playoffs and no one would be ranking them highly at all. Make the call at the end of the season.

@MN5 said in Boxing Thread:

@kiwiinmelb said in Boxing Thread:

Not long to go now

This will be a terrific fight

I suspect it will be a bit of a chess match, more so than an action packed fight , fascinating all the same

Apparently the Wolves have offered Gobert 8 weeks paternity leave

@MajorRage said in EPL 2023/2024:

Ten Hag sacked tonight surely

That was abject tonight. Without the decent players that they do have (Bruno was out) and Casemiro giving an all time dreadful performance at centre-back. At times he looked like the paunchy chap from a pub team who can play a bit.

Big scary bastard

image.png

the Bloods keep marching on!

....as i keep falling down the tipping table....

Pretty on the nose for Sainz that he gets a penalty for pretty much doing the exact thing Piastri did to him. Glad it didn't really cost anything.

Otherwise, great to have an actual race!

An interesting long-read on the 2005 Lions tour based on interviews with several of the Lions players: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/jun/04/2005-lions-tour-hell-new-zealand-alastair-campbell-clive-woodward