The Silver Fern

I'm not sure if it is worth having separate match threads.

Here is the Barbarians team to play the Chiefs.

@antipodean said in Highlanders v Hurricanes - round 5:

I thought they looked devoid of solutions towards the end. No clear pattern of play. Slow ball from rucks to forwards standing still.

Yes. The Highlanders needed to have more variation at the end. If the tactic is to play narrow then there shouldn't be any excuse for not having cleaners at the ruck.

Speaking of high tackles, there is no consistency. de Groot had Gallagher in a headlock near his own goal line in the 1st half and Mabey wasn't interested either.

@antipodean said in Highlanders v Hurricanes - round 5:

@gt12 said in Highlanders v Hurricanes - round 5:

Oh wow, Tangitau

I though Love had been doing sprint training?

Taumoefolau ran past him last week too.

That decision was made yesterday, as it's in the morning newspaper.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360614056/how-tom-christie-took-harsh-truths-his-stride-and-fought-his-way-back-crusaders

@Sowndariya said in SR U20s 2025:

Hi Bovidae,
Can we get a coach list for this competition Super Rugby U20

From the articles posted in this thread:

Blues - Ben Afeaki, Jeff Ierome, Matt Howling and Ian Robinson
Highlanders - Scott Eade, Ash Barron, Danya Cunningham and Marty McKenzie

As to the other teams:
Chiefs - James Porter, Hika Elliot, Jackson Willison, and maybe one other.
Hurricanes - Darren Larsen is usually their coach, no idea on the assistants
Crusaders - @Chris should know

@Mauss

Wallace has a foot injury. I assume Letiu is needed for the Crusaders as their third hooker.

Pahulu and Guerin are still at school. They never select players that young for these teams.

As to the Chiefs, they have never listed who is unavailable due to injury. Vakasiuola and Sa are big loses. Both have NPC experience and along with Vaenuku and Mathis would be certainties to make the NZ U20s. They still can, depending on injury and sevens commitments. Taumateine must also have picked up an injury as he was a late withdrawal from the BOP Wasps game and wasn't involved in the Blues game.

For the NZ viewer: All matches will be live on Sky Sport.

Day 1 on Sky Sport 5
Day 2 on Sky Sport 1
Day 3 on Sky Sport Select

There is no mention of overseas streaming options.

There are at least six in that Barbarians squad that have Chiefs connections, so they won't be lacking motivation.

I think that the Barbarians are still U21. The squad looks to be a mixture of recent U20 players, some that missed out this year, and younger players who will feature next year.

@Left-Right-Out-0 said in SR U20s 2025:

Hurricanes team is up but i dont no how to share

I just upload the graphic. Links to FB, Insta often don't work over time.

So no Vakasiuola or Sa, but Eti is included. None of the NZ Sevens players either.

I find that the Barbarians squad is often the most interesting as it usually includes players who didn't make their final SR squad. There are at least two Chiefs wider squad players who will be playing for them. Sometimes they can be the star of the tournament, e.g., Tahlor Cahill in 2023.

Wyndham Patuawa is a handy player too so I hope he gets time on the field in Taupō.

@ARHS said in Crusaders v Force:

Coby Miln with the Force. Is that our BOP lad?

Yes. I remember watching him at Hamilton BHS.

McMillan has reverted back to starting Roe and finishing with Ratima. I think that is the best use of both players.

Corey Flynn  /  Mar 11

Injured duo named to return for Blues clash in Hamilton - Chiefs

Playmaker Damian McKenzie and captain Luke Jacobson have both been named to make their injury return on Saturday night when the Gallagher Chiefs take on the Blues at FMG Stadium […]

GALLAGHER CHIEFS INJURY UPDATE AHEAD OF ROUND 5
Josh Lord, Knee, Mid-term (4-6 weeks)
Rameka Poihipi, Knee, Season
Kaleb Trask, Hamstring, Mid-term (4-6 weeks)
Etene Nanai-Seturo, Hamstring, Long-term
Liam Coombes-Fabling, Knee, Mid-term (4-6 weeks)
Fiti Sa, Shoulder, Long-term
Wallace Sititi, Knee, Long-term
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Shoulder, Short-term

@Mamuka

Welcome.

The NZR+ platform might be used to stream the games. We'll have to wait until later in the week to confirm if this happens.

As to the NZ U20s, they did beat France, Wales and Ireland at the WC last year. From the few 6N U20 games I've watched England look to be much stronger than the other teams. It's hard to know until the squad is selected but there is plenty of talent at this level. There will also be a new NZ coaching group.

@Left-Right-Out-0 said in SR U20s 2025:

How are Moana Pasifika chosen?
Do they trial lads across the country?

I'm not sure what they are doing this year, but last year the Samoa, Tonga and Fiji U20s played each other at Albany and the MP team was mainly selected from the Samoan and Tongan players in those teams. There will be plenty who have been through the Blues and Chiefs systems (U18s etc). I posted that a couple of Counties Manukau players were amongst them.

I assume that MP have played some games. Otherwise they won't be prepared.