The Silver Fern

@Bovidae said in Chiefs v Brumbies:

@gt12 said in Chiefs v Brumbies:

Mataele is a terrible signing for us.

The slowest Fijian winger I've seen live. He's only a WTG player and shouldn't be near the 23 once everyone is fit.

Weird to think he's still running round in NZ in 2025. He was destined for big things I feel at around 2018/19 but injuries have certainly caught up with him.

@Bovidae said in Super Rugby Aupiki 2025:

The Manawa will probably be underdone. That was their first and only pre-season game last Sat whereas the Blues and Poua had played NSW prior.

Believe they also had an internal hit out but obvs that's not gonna be full tit. Strange they've only had the one compared to the other 3 teams. Shooting themselves in the foot early.

@Bones said in Chiefs 2025:

the extra power vertically to throw the tackler off balance is very noticeable in that clip.

I did feel his carrying had become a bit predictable in the 2024 SR season so, if it is indeed a conscious choice to add different elements to it, I think it's a smart choice. He's too skilled as a player to play in a one-dimensional manner.

As far as tackling is concerned, Finau is the most Kainoesque loose forward in NZ.

It was a cool atmosphere too.

$9 a can opened up the ole wallet a bit but who cares in that situation. Was a very fun evening.

Book ended the game with beers at the Eastside which I haven't been to in a very long time.

@canes4life said in Blues v Hurricanes:

@winger well enough isn’t good enough though. Or is that what we’ve come to expect these days?

I didn't have an issue at all with the way he played. The main issue is the first 5. Even more so than Blackwell. Until this is addressed the team will continue to struggle

The Highlanders match shows what a quality first can do

@mikey07 I have learned something new today, Jensen is a recognised Maori name! Looks like he might be eligible for one of the Scandinavian teams as well.
I'm sure @nepia will agree that the names Gemmell, Wakefield and Blake over our way are also recognised Maori names too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@arhs yes, the way he gave up was frustrating. I agree the defensive accuracy of the entire team was miles off, when your All Balcks are missing routine one on one tackles that indicates a broader issue.

Am away this weekend so miss the BOP v Harbour match. What a huge one that will be! Back in time for the final v Waikato though. That is assuming that Ta$man and Auckland maintain their current approach through semis. I can dream....

That was a good second half by both sides. Two evenly matched teams.

Unlucky finish at the end for the Naki because they had created the space.

That halfback for the Mooloo has a pretty sweet pass on him.

@Bovidae said in Waikato 2020:

There was also a U20 game on at Beetham Park between Waikato and Taranaki U20s today at the same time as the FPC game.

An update:

Firstly, never ask a player involved in a game what the score was. 🙂 Taranaki won 24-19.

Secondly, this wasn't an U20 game as such, but one of a series of games between the academy players from each province within the Chiefs region. The Waikato team is mainly U19 and younger than most of the other teams they are playing.

@cgrant good point, almost like a Cane lite.