The Silver Fern

@No-Quarter said in Final - Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Canerbry said in Final - Crusaders v Chiefs:

It was pretty predictable really, target the playmaker as he is pertty much all of their attacking flair and also a notorious flake under pressure.

This has been a real problem for the ABs, both DMac and Mo'unga have been really flaky when the heat goes on, Mo'unga in particular has been a possum in the headlights on many occasions for the ABs. I think that's why the coaches have gone with Beauden so much, he makes errors etc, but he doesn't tend to get flustered when the opposition are trying to target him.

DMAc and BB have had so many chances (BB more so), and yet the same flaws remained. It makes it even more exasperating that they didn't at least try Plummer (you know, SR winning 10 Plummer) in the captain's seat once in a real game. Even the Bled dead rubber would have been a legitimate test.

@KiwiMurph said in SF Crusaders v Blues:

Fusitia gone

I thought he was lucky not to get done earlier I thought

This was the crux of the game. Watched replay last night. Fusitua didn’t advance. Barrett lunged forward suddenly leading with head.

The physics was that Barrett butted Fusitua.

@BellsGeorg said in Crusaders 2026:

@Bones Rumour has it he's getting cleaned up for his Monkley Medal award ceremony in about 3 months.

You mean the Bell Medal?

How so politicised? Is 60% that stunning for Munster given its resources etc ?

@Canes4life said in Brumbies v Crusaders:

@taniwharugby said in Brumbies v Crusaders:

"Once there is separation, it doesn't matter which way it goes, it's a knock on"

Seriously??

1.1K reactions · 58 shares | Morgs was not happy with Sevu Reece’s... 1.1K reactions · 58 shares | Morgs was not happy with Sevu Reece’s...

Morgs was not happy with Sevu Reece’s knock on not being called by the referee 😬 ↳ Super Rugby Pacific. Every Match. Live & On Demand. #StanSportAU #SuperRugbyPacific.

That’s a shocking quote from Burke. Man Morgan is a whinger.

How many times have Kiwi sides been on the wrong side of bad calls over the years in Aussie?

By my count there is still 34 more favourable decisions to go in the Saders favour to make up for that abomination in the final minutes of the 2014 Super rugby final ….

@darylmitchell Inferior competition. Difference last year was Moana were worse so we beat them 2x, we beat the Tahs because they were worse, and we beat the Force in the worst game ever.

We lost our way at points this year, but the direction of travel has again been upwards.

@NTA said in Waratahs v Crusaders:

@Chris-B said in Waratahs v Crusaders:

In my mind, the Waratahs are favourites.

See your GP for brain worms.

RFKJ syndrome?

The rest of the conversation about who can win the competition continues here:
https://www.forum.thesilverfern.com/topic/6854/super-rugby-2025/819

Please keep the match threads on the match. Generic stuff can go in the main forum, new threads etc

There is a reason.. new features coming soon for the match threads

@Chris-B said in Highlanders v Crusaders:

@Chris For a good part of the season you could construct a very strong "Missing XV" from injuries and gone from the previous year - have to play Richie at halfback. Would certainly have given what we were fielding a good drubbing.

Brewis, Taylor, Williams
Barrett, Whitelock
Sione Havili, Blackadder, Dunshea
Mo'unga, Burke
Goodhue, Ennor
Faingaánuku, Nanai, Jordan

The Canes have had just as many injuries this year and are still in contention so it’s not always just injuries. Every team goes through that.

Interestingly both the Crusaders and Canes really struggled when they had Hohepa at 10 for a long period. I think as long as you have key players in key positions then you can cope.

@nostrildamus said in Crusaders v Blues:

@reprobate said in Crusaders v Blues:

So, the Blues have more AB backs than can fit on the park in Christie, Barrett, Ioane, Telea, Clarke, Perofeta, Plummer. And yet AJ Lam is their best back?

Half of the ones you mentioned may have already mentally packed for overseas.

Which would be a sad indictment for any pro player who is still contracted to play at the level they have been selected for.

I hope this isn’t the case for these Blues players or any other player in this situation.

Thank you

Why provide evidence for that which is self evidently true?

@Jet said in Crusaders v Moana Pasifika:

Scott Barrett Allblacks captain.

Deary me.

Useless.

He was in our top 3 most important players prior to getting the "Armband".

Non existent since.

I wonder if his back still isn’t right?

@Bones I can see Beehre getting a shot but not McWhannell. With four or five 'experienced' options in the mix I imagine the selectors will go for a young gun, even if they aren't in especially impressive form, knowing they can mould them into a long-term All Black.

@Dan54 said in Crusaders v Force:

@DaGrubster said in Crusaders v Force:

How did Scott Barrett go?

Was ok I thought, 2 best locks in NZ so far this year are Holland and Vai'i.

I've really liked what Beehre has brought to the Blues. High work-rate and feel like he should be a regular starter for them.

@Old-Samurai-Jack said in Crusaders v Reds:

Zero analysis, just snide comments.

Sounds like the perfect ferners.

@Bovidae said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

Who was the final Chiefs captain in this game?

To answer my own question, it was ALB.

There will be yet another captain named today for the Brumbies game - Vaa'i.

@MN5 said in Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

@nostrildamus said in Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

@Machpants said in Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

@MN5 said in Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

Haven’t really been up with the play, is Jordie available for the ABs later this year or do we have to face the very real prospect of Havilli being the number one number 12 ?

Sabbatical so he is available, yes

Lam is way ahead of him in my book. (It's not a red and black book though).

Havili or Jordie ?

ahead of DH...

@Higgins said in Preseason - Highlanders v Crusaders:

Excellent coverage from ThePits TV. Hadn't really heard much of them much before this and was expecting just a one or two camera job but they far exceeded that and look to have set a high benchmark for any others out there to try and match.

Couldn't agree more. Was real impressed with whole production. Enjoyed the commentary team too.

@Kirwan said in Sevu Reece - in trouble again:

Has Robertson made him captain yet?

Insert Patrick Bateman “oooh” meme here.