Great news that the man is back playing!

Lealiifano makes rugby return in Singapore

Arrived back home from hospital, this morning. I missed most of the SR final due to an asthma attack. I'm okay again, but it was a bit scary for a while. Absolutely bad timing, of course (although I think I know what triggered it), but fortunately we recorded the final on mysky and I just watched it, although it's not quite the same when you know the final score.

I don't have much to add to comments already made. It was a typical final in which defence won the game. Todd and Read were outstanding in the forwards, and Bridge, Mo'unga and Havili in the backs. Lots of dew on the ground and a wet ball can explain some of the bad ball handling, but it has to be said that the Jaguares also made some really stupid mistakes. Their 10 was terrible. Overall, the Jaguares played reasonably well and they'll learn from their mistakes. The Crusaders looked - as expected - the more experienced team. Awesome how they changed their game plan when the first one didn't work and good decision-making when they went for the points when they were on offer. Mo'unga's goal-kicking is outstanding now and that's good for the RWC. Not sure whether some of the other rookies are ready though. Still think Havili should have been named in the ABs.

And then reading this thread .. jaysus. How can a welcome new addition to the Fern with a fresh point of view turn so quickly into an arrogant, trolling twat. Although it was quite hilarious to read how those who responded to his nonsense were referred to as the "Cantab crew & their cheerleaders", considering many of them support other franchises in SR games other than the final and are quite fervent anti-cantabs 52 weeks per year.

Anyway, 2019 SR season done and dusted. I'll put the Crusaders 2020 blog post up tonight (had already prepared most of it). Can't wait for the Mitre 10 cup now, oh, and yes, some international games ...

He may not have been at his best since his serious back injury and surgery in 2017, but IMO he's one of the best no. 8s we've ever had. A true All Blacks great and it has been a pleasure watching him play.

Thanks for all the great moments, Reado. Enjoy spending time with your family, and good luck for what's next.

Haha

@mariner4life said in Hurricanes v Chiefs:

i am going to carry on like an absolute fuckhead.

Geez, aren't we all chirpy today! We all know why the ABs are playing tests against Tonga & Fiji, and not against stronger opposition. We all know that Tonga and Fiji (and Samoa) can't field all the players they'd want to have in their squad, and why. And we all know that they wouldn't even be strong enough, if they had all the players they'd like to have.

So what? Why can't you lot just be happy to see the team play? These are exceptional times, so expect things to be different from our usual July Series. Just enjoy the game, even if it's a one-sided one.

@antipodean said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

Honestly we didn't deserve to win that with our inaccuracy and error rate.

We totally deserved that win. The Boks only kicked and wasted time.

‘Game On Global’ community law variations to advance rugby accessibility and welfare

Welfare and accessibility are at the heart of Game On Global, a groundbreaking programme of optional community law variations launched by World Rugby and national member unions today.

• Modified contact, weight-banded matches and lowered tackle height at the heart of new community law variations to further advance accessibility and welfare

• Law variations include flexibility in number of players, game duration, pitch size, ball size, as well as variations to scrums, lineouts and kicking rules

• Promoting global consistency at the community level of the game, the menu of 10 law variants can be implemented by national unions from January 2022

• The introduction of Game On Global follows World Rugby’s recently launched participation plan to accelerate sustainable rugby involvement

• Implementation of the law variations will be optional and available in part or in whole for National Unions to determine.

• Central monitoring, and research will be undertaken evaluate impact

Game On Global provides national unions with the ability to implement modified laws at a domestic mass participation level, furthering game experience and safety for participants. Unions can pick and choose from dependent on their context and purpose.

Promoting global consistency in the law variations open to unions at the community level of the game, a menu of 10 law variants are now available to all unions. From January 2022 the Game On principles can be utilised by all World Rugby member unions at their discretion:

VIEW THE LAW VARIATIONS >> (this links to a Word document)

A number of national models of good practise already in existence, including in England, New Zealand and Wales, who have shared their knowledge and expertise in the development of World Rugby’s global project, which builds on these models and extends to other areas of the game.

You can find my post about the NZ initiative "Game on" here:

Nov 20, 2016  /  Sports Talk

Law trials and changes

The following is a new law variation that applies to New Zealand club and school rugby only. The NZR initiative "Game on" makes it possible for club rugby and school rugby games to be played even if a team has fewer than 15 players or doesn't have enough ...

@canefan Moana Pasifika

@machpants Yeah, was thinking the same thing.

All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea has signed a four-year deal with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) which will keep him in Aotearoa through to the end of the 2025 season.

Savea, who captained the All Blacks for the first time in 2021 and produced consistently compelling performances throughout the Test season, has also extended his contract with the Hurricanes.

As part of his new contract, Savea will have the option of playing his rugby offshore for a period of six-months during the 2024 season.

Savea has recommitted to the Hurricanes until 2023.

So he hasn't committed to any franchise for 2025 ...

Ardie Savea recommits to New Zealand Rugby and the Hurricanes

All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea has signed a four-year deal with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) which will keep him in Aotearoa through to the end of the 2025 season.

Info for the Hawke's Bay faithful about Matt Monaghan, who's listed under Hawke's Bay, but hasn't attended a Hawke's Bay school so must have been signed by the Magpies Academy for 2022.

Google tells me he was in the 2021 NZ Secondary Schools squad (listed as a Kings' College student), the 2020 Blues U17 Development squad (listed as a Huanui College student. In an article from 2018, he's mentioned as a Kamo U16 lock.

Maybe the Blues/Northland Ferners know a bit more about him?

Manawatū: 17
Wellington: 17
Hawke's Bay: 7
Wairarapa Bush: 2
Horowhenua Kapiti: 1
Whanganui: 1

I miss quite a few Hawke's Bay names in that list, so either they are still at school (I hope this is the reason), have left the region or have been overlooked again. Examples are Brad Campbell, Hoera Stephenson, Corey Berkett, Mefi Tupou, Tino Savea, Jayden Stok and twins Gilgal and Bethel Leutele-Malasia. I understand Afa Moleli has moved to Auckland. I heard rumours about Stok moving to either Dunedin or Hamilton for Uni.

Must admit that I find it quite a worry that Hawke's Bay schools have been dominating school rugby in the Hurricanes region for years, and so few end up in squads like these. Where are they?

Jordan Viljoen spent his last year at Hastings Boys, but came from Palmy, so is - correctly - named under Manawatū.
Interestingly, Richie Mo'unga's nephew (Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula) is named under Manawatū, too.

Unfortunately, Darren Larsen is still in charge, so the favouritism will continue.

https://www.hurricanes.co.nz/news/article/hurricanes-super-20s-development-squad-for-2022-announced/

NZ Barbarians 2021 Assistans Coach Jarrad Hoeata (30/11/21)

MORNINGS WITH IAN SMITH

Former All Blacks Forward & Taranaki & NZ Barbarians 2021 Assistant Coach Jarrad Hoeata joins the show to preview the NZ Barbarians vs the Heartland 15 match in Taupo on Friday

NZ Barbarians 2021 Assistans Coach Jarrad Hoeata (30/11/21)

@kiwi_expat It's possible, but I just read it as Hoeata and Randle being his assistants when coaching the NZ Barbarians.

@rapido Maybe the author of that article has confused two changes to the eligibilty rules that were made in 2017? Apart from extending the required 36 consecutive months of residency to 60 consecutive months, they also added a new residency rule about "cumulative residency", which was effective from 10 May 2017.

The reformed Regulation 8 ensures that a player has a genuine, close, credible and established link with the nation of representation, and the key amendments are:

• The 36-month residency requirement is increased to 60 months with effect from 31 December, 2020 (unanimously approved)

• The addition of a residency criteria which permits players who have 10 years of cumulative residency to be eligible (effective May 10, 2017) (unanimously approved)

etc