The Silver Fern

@gt12 said in NZR review:

Having that settled is good, but only if the new board and management can make hard decisions.

As the discussion in the crowd thread shows, the way forward looks reasonably clear (our NPC-centric and non-NPC centric posters seem to align on the 8-10 team in converged Super/NPC competition idea).

I'm interested to see whether NZRU can get there. I won't hold my breath.

Realistically we will see no great changes to anything for a year or 2, I would imagine , or even want. It's only the board that runs things, and regardless of what we think/say in general there only needs to be tweeks to how the game is run at board level. Most fof it will be perhaps more commercial, and that all takes time stc.

@NTA said in NRL 2024:

@African-Monkey the margins are pretty thin at this level. An extra year of experience together could be the difference.

I'm not convinced on Luai. Seems to benefit from Cleary and a good squad. Seems like a bit of a flog.

I'm probably the only Luai fan out there, but he guides Penrith around well to many victories when Cleary takes his usual 8-12 week injury break in the middle of every season.

Aren't Penrith at about an 80% win rate when Cleary doesn't play?

I think Penrith will find the going harder next season if Cleary takes large chunks of the season off.

Highlights of a 1999 v Boks

@Bovidae Hey thanks! The news updates are non existent. And I have seen some of them on the sideline and wonder why.

A nice little story:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cdrl4dng1l2o

@Duluth said in UFC / MMA:

A lady KO in the Contender series yesterday. From a huge underdog too

Mick Maynards face is funny.. he generally doesn't react much

That was a powerhouse shot
Dragged up from the concrete

Interesting bench for us, assume possibility both locks to be subbed and LHE and Woods to slot in there, and Matich will replace Uluinakauvadra, although I think he, like the other 2 loosies are often 80 minute players.

Apoua has struggled at scrum time but still starts, and then Nock...hopefully he watched how Milo-Harris played the other night and realises he needs to be better.

Time to get those tips in everyone https://thesilverfern.com/tipping-submit

@Higgins said in Classic All Blacks:

where is Stephen Donald when you need him?

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King Country 18 - 23 Thames Valley

I've just watched a full replay of this game on Sky. It was the first game under lights at Rugby Park, Te Kuiti. Heavy rain during most of the game but the skill level was better than expected in those conditions. Cody Nordstrom is playing centre for KC. Tayne Tupaea had a really good game for TV at lock, as did their captain Matt Axtens, a contemporary of Sam Cane's. We even had a couple of club teammates playing for each team, including NZ U20 prop Will Martin who must be a late loanee for TV.

A source says that Moana will carry on at North Harbour Stadium, the first home game will be against the Hurricanes.

@Smudge apologies mate, was just a lazy way of getting the injury update info out to those interested.

@Yeetyaah said in Super Rugby 2025:

@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:

Does anyone know when the new schedule is meant to be released for the 2025 Super season?

Thursday

10am?

Highlanders supposedly chasing a big tighthead prop out of the Brumbies... assuming it is Sefo Kautai.

@Bones they couldn’t teach us maths or reading comp, you really think they even attempted the powerful French?

It's not good to have so many concussions.

@Duluth said in NPC 2024:

Why don't all the sides do this??

You would think it would be the "professional" thing to do, but when I asked this question there appears to be a degree of gamesmanship where coaches don't want the opposition to know the seriousness of their players' injuries.

@taniwharugby said in Northland 2024:

Northland have scored 131 points so far, with only 39 of them in the 2nd half, and 0 in the last 2 2nd halves.

Wow who knew Northland are up there with the ABs!

Meant to say yesterday that I thought last night's stage might have been one for Corbin Strong - since Wout Van Aert has withdrawn - especially if Corbin got over the mountains and Kaden Groves didn't.

Kaden did - and won - Corbin got beaten by several others in any case.

Got to think Corbin has the tools to win a Grand Tour stage at some point.

BOC keeps the red jersey and probably a decent chance of doing the same tonight - though five seconds is a wafer thin margin. Looks like a couple of small climbs at the end tonight that might let Roglic gap him. They might also suit George in a breakaway - though I think tomorrow (Stage 19) might suit George in a breakaway more - 8km steep climb to a mountain finish.

Stage 20 will be a killer - 7 climbs - 3 Category 1.