The Silver Fern

Just been confirmed by the Crusaders that Blackadder’s been pulled because there’s a good chance he’ll get injured and therefore as precautionary they’ve ruled him out before he does.

Crusaders: What can I say, the Crusaders jaggarnaut keeps rolling and it's difficult to see when it will stop. Another title, but I haven't given them an A+ due to that one loss against the Hurricanes. With a player drain unlikely for next year the Crusaders will once again be the team to beat when 2021 rolls around.
Season rank: A
Forward of the year: Codie Taylor
Back of the year: Richie Mo'unga
Most improved player: Will Jordan

Blues: The Blues are back. Not the perfect season by any stretch but it's a massive improvement on years gone by so I have given the Aucklanders an A- . The foundation is there to kick on and become a team that will consistently contend for the title, especially if they keep enticing players into Auckland rather than out of it.
Season rank: A-
Forward of the year: Hoskins Sotutu
Back of the year: Caleb Clarke
Most improved player: Akira Ioane

Hurricanes: I have given the Canes a B for Super Rugby Aotearoa. They wouldn't have been happy with how they started and finished the tournament, however a sweet run of five victories including a Kiwi grand slam shows there is plenty of firepower in this side to be a force moving forward. A couple of good off-season signings and they should be there or there abouts once again next year.
Season rank: B
Forward of the year: Scott Scrafton
Back of the year: Jordie Barrett
Most improved player: Peter Umaga Jensen

Highlanders: I have also given the Highlanders a B grade considering how they've responded from that massive player drain in 2019. They have played some enterprising footy this year and are starting to grow crucial combinations in key areas. Like the Hurricanes and Blues they have a good core group of young players that will help set the standard for success moving forward.
Season rank: B
Forward of the year: Marino Mikaele Tu'u
Back of the year: Aaron Smith
Most improved player: Pari Pari Parkinson

Chiefs: The Chiefs have tried hard all year but their skill execution and inability to finish off chances cost them dearly in what was a brutal competition. I'm confident they will get back into the groove in 2021 but it may take a few hard truths within their environment before they get that chance.
Season rank: D
Forward of the year: Lachlan Boshier
Back of the year: Solomon Alaimalo (debate away)
Most improved player: Naitoa Ah Koui

@kiwi_expat we as fans observe players in the heat of the battle, the place where they are tested to their limits. If the Canes coaches are selecting players purely on good training habits and leadership ability alone then I’m afraid they’ve failed already. Player X still has to perform on game day.

I’m not sure if you’ve actually watched the Canes over the last two seasons because it’s blatantly obvious that James Blackwell falls well short on the paddock (excuse the pun). If you’re happy with a 1.90m lock, who gets man handled in almost every carry, who drops about half the passes that come his way, and just looks like an ordinary NPC player at best, then good on you.

Fans, including myself sometimes get it wrong but on this occasion (other Canes fans would agree) the best players aren’t starting for the Canes atm. Flanders is blatantly better than Prinsep, IWL is blatantly better than Blackwell and it was super obvious at the start of the season (until Holland finally woke up) that Rayasi should have been there earlier aswell. The coaches have to take some accountability as to why they are 1 and 3 because the players that are apparently superb at training, aren’t cutting it where it matters - that’s where the issue is.

Also if you don’t like fans having an opinion or questioning selections, I don’t think the Fern is the right place for you.

@KiwiMurph solid 23, I’d prefer Blackadder over Papali’i’ though.

Papali’i must be counting his lucky stars. He completely lacks any impact at this level.

Good to see Christie has been given the boot, and good to see McKenzie on the bench.

@george33 you were way off the money once again.

Bloody hell, golden boy Beauden Barrett has had a pretty sweet ride over the last four years. Never sets the house on fire but seems to always squeeze himself in.

DMac should be starting after last week. Disappointing.

Dallas McLeod over Stevenson.. bahahahaha that’s a shocking call.

22 years of waiting. Blackwell, Kirifi, Bird, Numia the unsung heroes of this team.

Sheck deserves a Hurricanes contract, he’s stepped up time and time again.

Commiserations Cantabs.

Man I am happy.

Hurricanes year in review.

Grade: B+
At the beginning of the year, I had the Canes as a top four side but wasn't sure if we would have the metal or the experience to quite go all the way, my assumption proved right but the disappointment of actually not making the final and pushing for the title was a lot greater than I expected.

To top the table at the end of the regular season displayed the massive improvement this franchise has taken since Holland thankfully left at the end of 2023. Laidlaw has come in and created a culture that every single player has brought into and that will pay dividends over the next couple of years.

The reality going forward with the players we've signed up is that we should be pushing for that title for at least the next 3-4 years.

There are a few areas we need to shore up in the recruitment space and I have highlighted them below.

Best player: Cam Roigard, yes he only played 5 rounds but he was arguably the best player in the competition before he suffered that brutal injury against the Landers. If he can get anywhere close to the form he showed next year then the Canes will be a far tougher proposition. His decision making at the base of the ruck was second to none and many rugby fans around New Zealand will be hoping he makes a full recovery and can get back to his best for the ABs.

Best rookie: Peter Lakai
I know this was his second super season but this year was the first where he actually played consistent minutes. His ball carrying and defensive ability, coupled with the fact he never shy's away from doing the hard yards as a 7 will put him right in the conversation come All Black selection. The fact this kid is only 21 and is already going toe to toe with the best makes you think he has a pretty high ceiling.

Player of the year: Billy Proctor
He only experienced losing once this season, unfortunately that was to the Chiefs last night. Proctor is the glue to the Hurricanes backline and showed his consistency all the way through the campaign. His ability to read the game has gone up another level this year and he has also put himself right in the frame for national selection in a week's time.

The good:
The Hurricanes did plenty of things well this year but what I really loved was our improvement at set piece. When Numia, Aumua and Lomax were together they formed a pretty formidable front row, unfortunately all of them received big injuries at various phases of the campaign so we didn't get to see their full potential. Hopefully in 2025 they stay fit and healthy.

The bad:
Injuries and form. In my view the injuries to key players like Roigard, Delany, Lomax, Numia and Aumua at crucial times in the campaign prevented us from reaching our full potential. The biggest thing will be keeping these guys fit next year so we have our best squad available come playoff time. Form was also a major factor to us bailing out of the competition. You could argue we played our best rugby at the start and through the middle of the campaign before teetering off towards the playoffs. A huge lesson for Laidlaw is that to win Super Rugby it's a marathon and not a sprint.

Gains and losses for 2025 (so far)
Key losses for 2025: Jordie Barrett, Josh Moorby
Key gains for 2025: Ardie Savea

Recruitment:
The Hurricanes have already locked down a large chunk of their squad for next year which will provide some consistency to help them push for title success. We know Ardie Savea is coming back and that will naturally lift expectations on this team to go all the way. Key recruitment areas for me are at hooker, first five and wing/fullback.

• Hooker: We need a strong hooker to back-up Aumua. O'Reilly was an improvement on previous seasons but his ceiling isn't the highest, Tuputupu showed glimpses of his potential but he has plenty of kinks to iron out, and there are a couple of other options in Jacob Devery and Vernon Bason to pick from within the environment. Whether we look outside for talent here is the big question.

• First five: Brett Cameron showed last night that he is just too limited to take this team all the way. The Hurricanes will be on the lookout for a quality ten before the next season commences. The Canes also have Harry Godfrey coming through, but he still has plenty to learn and prove before he gets continuous opportunity at this level.

• Wing/fullback: the Canes have a fair amount of recruitment to do in this space. Rayasi and Naholo are yet un-signed and it's already been announced that Moorby is jetting off the Montpellier. One obvious recruitment target will be Stanley Solomon, the jet shoes on this kid could be a point of difference for the Canes moving forward. They will want to lock him up on a contract but I don't think we'll see him on the park for at least year or two until he matures a bit more. Bailyn Sullivan is another player that's unsigned and he could be an option to fill that wing slot on the right.

Summary: overall, the Canes and Laidlaw can't be too displeased with their campaign this year. They've shown that when they play to their best they can blow anyone off the park. Next year will be all about kicking on from this year and taking their game to another level. There will be excitement aplenty in the Canes squad for 2025, let's see if they can convert that excitement and potential into a championship.

Lester to the wing, Jordan to fullback, DMac to the bench and Roigard to the bench.

Beauden has to go for me in the big games. Foster won’t have the balls though.

Former All Blacks hooker Norm Hewitt has died after a battle motor neurone disease.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350344474/former-all-blacks-hooker-norm-hewitt-has-died

My greatest memory of big Norm was when he broke his arm in the final against Canterbury in 2000 but battled through, helping the Lions secure a famous victory.

@Canerbry said in All Blacks vs Argentina I - 10 August:

Let's just note none of that was the coaches' fault.

All of this is the coaches fault. The ABs have been shit.

Lol what has Ennor done to keep getting selected in this side?

I think we've missed a trick with no DMac on the bench. Surely he's the sort of player that will tear Aussie to shreds in the last 20 mins, be it at 10 or 15.

After four rounds of Super Rugby the below players from each team have really stood out to me as being contenders for the Black Jersey later in the year (not including current ABs). Some of them may be too young i.e. Jamie Hannah and Josh Beehre but they've been very solid when given an opportunity.

Highlanders:

Key player: Billy Harmon (Highlanders) if anyone deserves a crack at the next level it's this guy. Harmon is in the form of his life, if he doesn't get an opportunity this year I think it's time to look overseas and take the money. He's scored my favourite try of the year already, what a screamer against the Brumbies on Saturday.

Other notable mentions: Jacob Raitumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Hugh Renton

Crusaders:

Key player: Sevu Reece (Crusaders) I know he's been an AB but he's a player that will be keen to put himself back into contention when the first AB side is announced. Had a scorching game on defence against the Canes on Friday, saving about 20 points on his own. If all players had the work-rate of this guy the All Blacks would be nearly impossible to beat. Get him back in the Black jersey I say.

Other notable mentions: Macca Springer, Jamie Hannah

Hurricanes:

Key player: Billy Proctor (Hurricanes) he's been Mr Reliable for the Canes for the past few seasons now and continues to be the glue in their backline. Similar defensive attributes to Canes legend Conrad Smith, Proctor has been one of the Cane's best to start the season. After scoring four tries in one game for the All Blacks XV last year to compliment his defensive prowess, he has to be in the conversation.

Other notable mentions: Asafo Aumua, Ruben Love, Caleb Delany

Chiefs:

Key player: Shaun Stevenson (Chiefs) he made his All Black's debut last year but is surely eager to make a stamp in this campaign for the Chiefs. He's had a flyer to kick off the year and I hope he gets another chance after he was rudely snubbed by the All Black's in 2023.

Other notable mentions: Eteni Nanai-Seturo, Rameka Poihipi,

Blues:

Key player: Hoskins Sotutu (Blues) had a fantastic first two rounds for the Blues before being dropped to the bench (absolutely baffling). If he can continue that form he'll be back into the ABs in no time. Vern Cotter looks to be getting the best out of him.

Other notable mentions: Anton Segner, Josh Beehre

Sam Cane’s underwhelming captaincy is a massive concern. I don’t think he’s strong enough of a leader to take us to the World Cup.

@stodders said in Exodus:

@family-man DMac not going on the EOYT then. Wonder if that means Mo’unga is on his way back for 2025.

I find it funny that a player that failed to win two World Cups is all of a sudden going to be our savior.

@frugby not from what we saw in the last game, Roigard made a huge impact coming on in that game and was the only one to dot down purely from sheer brilliance. A player like Roigard could be the difference from advancing in a WC playoff game and getting knocked out.

No, Fozzie should have just selected Finau at 6. But it again proves that the guy is so far out of his depth.

He’s only there because some of his players stood up to Robinson. The reason the likes of Beauden, Cane etc went into bat for Fozzie after that South African test which saw him keep his job, was because they knew if Razor came in they probably wouldn’t have kept theirs.

@voodoo said in All Blacks 2024:

@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2024:

It was good to see the ABs having a real go at winning turnovers at the rucks, and getting a few too. We haven't done that enough the last few years.

And Vaa’i contesting Bol lineouts was awesome

Vaa'i's been the most improved AB this year IMO. He definitely hasn't shrugged the hard stuff and seems to be improving the more he plays.

@MN5 said in All Blacks 2024:

@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2024:

@MN5 said in All Blacks 2024:

@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks 2024:

The 2 late yellows smack of panic, trying too hard and lack of leadership.
I'm hoping guys like Sititi, Vaai and Roigard can bring ice cold nerves at the pointy end of the game.
Currently leadership is passive and people are panicking.

I think we need to stop talking this guy up until he, you know, actually makes the field again in a Black jersey ?

The last thing we need is another Charlie Ngatai.

Speaking of, Roigard will join the All Blacks this week as they prepare for the second Bled.

It's great that Ratima is playing so well because when Roigard does eventually come back he can ease back through minutes from the bench.

You took a minute to reply, is your internet lagging ?

Yeah a bit, I've setup a notification system so whenever anyone mentions Roigard it pings.

Classic Dagg pre game analysis talking about how Salesi Rayasi is going to be a massive danger on attack tonight - obviously Dagg didn’t do his research, Rayasi’s not even in the 23.