The Silver Fern

@Bovidae said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:

Surely they will want a few more Aussies in the AUNZ team.

5 waratahs have been named, Daniel Botha, Matt Philip, Pete Samu, Tane Edmed, and Darby Lancaster

@Landers92 said in Crusaders 2026:

@Chris said in Crusaders 2026:

I Moananu is leaving the Crusaders I believe to head the to Blues.
Manumaua Letiu has been signed to replace him.

I posted a month or so ago in another thread(maybe the 2025 blues or crusaders one?) about being told Moananu was heading to Auckland. It sounded likely it was the blues but couldn’t get a definitive answer then. Just asked again and it sounds likely that it is the Blues. Bradley Slater situation has thrown a spanner with the decision supposedly

I've seen confirmed rumours for four 2026 Blues hookers now. Eklund and Mullan staying on and now with Slater and Moananu getting signed. Has the slater signing fallen through or is one of Eklund or Mullan not returning?

IIRC Norris spent some time packing down at lock for the Mooloos last season

@Yeetyaah I think he did his acl in club rugby a couple of weeks ago

@KiwiMurph I guess some people only see what they want to see. Came on in both the semi final and the final and did what he does best, carry hard and fast into contact and win line-outs. It was only a few years ago when he was the main component of the lineout in the final against the Blues at Eden Park and was praised for his ability to disrupt the opposition ball. I noticed him come off the bench in these last two games and have that same presence at lineout time. And in the final despite apparently being anaonymous, I recall him instantly taking about three carries as soon as he came on the field and all being strong through contact and breaking the advantage line.

@Bovidae What's the deal with Naitoa Ah Kuoi? Not selected in squad or named as unavailable due to injury

@pakman and Peter O'Mahony

@African-Monkey With Savea, Sione Havili, Lotu Inisi, and Alamanda Motuga all leaving, I wouldn't be surprised to see Moana looking to bring in an experienced option to the loose forwards. This will probably be their area to focus on for recruiting with Miracle and Semisi Tupou Taeiloa the only stand out players left.

If Murphy Taramai is returning to Harbour, is he a potential signing for Moana?

@Steven-Harris Mark Tele'a gone before NPC? Luke Donaldson did start off at Canterbury then a season at BOP, and I believe tried to make the Auckland squad last year which probably explains the switch to Harbour.

@sparky I genuinely think the All Blacks would be just as well off without any Blues players in their side.

@Steven-Harris Have heard that Drua also have Angelo Smith as one of their signing targets for next season too

@taniwharugby Is it confirmed that LMH is leaving for his french contract before or after NPC?

Is Rova confirmed to be with Wellington for NPC? Had heard possibility he could be back for Canterbury. He has only only featured in one game of club rugby this season and that was for his Lincoln Uni club in Canterbury

@Mr-Fish said in Māori All Blacks 2025:

4 Josh Lord

Just out of curiosity, what is Josh Lord's heritage

@Trig I've just double checked, there was a game where Tauelangi was a late call up for Moana Pasifika which I had wrongly remembered as being Papuni called up for. And for Wingham he was named on the bench for the Highlanders against Moana but was not used

@ARHS I thought I could remember both Papuni and Wingham being named on their respective teams benches this season, is this the case that they were named and just didn't get on

Harry Wilson leaving Dragons in Wales and coming back to Aussie, could be a pick up for any team in 2026

@Trig said in School Rugby 2025:

8.20If the team indicates to the referee the intention to kick at goal, they must kick at goal. The intention to kick can be communicated to the referee or signalled by the arrival of the kicking tee or sand, or when the player makes a mark on the ground.

I read this law differently to how many have been interpreting it. Firstly, I feel this is worded to stop a situation where a team may say they are kicking for the posts but will instead tap the ball and play because they have seen space. This wording allows the law to sanction teams that will do this and instead once they have indicated they will kick for posts, the have to commit to that decision and the shot clock will begin. This law doesn't actually state that the kick at goal has to be a genuine attempt which allows the play above to be completed. I believe the player was in the right according to these laws but if they had seen the same space and had picked the ball up to kick it to there then this law would come into effect.

8.18A penalty goal can be scored only from a penalty.

8.19The kicking team must indicate their intention to kick for goal without delay.

8.20If the team indicates to the referee the intention to kick at goal, they must kick at goal. The intention to kick can be communicated to the referee or signalled by the arrival of the kicking tee or sand, or when the player makes a mark on the ground.