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Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies
Razor always seemed to finish seasons with specialist openside Christie in the team, even if he experimented at the start!
Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies
Not since 2018!
Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies
Cheers RR!
Great point. The passion at the ground in Fiji has invigorated the comp and a huge proportion of the population watch on TV.
I don’t think we’re quite as dominant up front without Cane and Brodie, or the three tightheads who left over the summer. We might just be timing our run well but the Blues and Canes have to be favourites I think.
Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies
That and the faster play I think. At the Chiefs we’ve certainly had big crowds for the key derbies in the past couple of seasons when we’ve been in with a real chance. The Hurricanes and Blues are simply playing their best rugby in years of course.
Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies
Not sure to be honest
Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies
Cheers Miz! I respect the Crusaders immensely and they’ve been great for the All Blacks but the comp needs a new champ.
Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies
That’s a great summary. Not big enough to be a world class 6, not skilful enough to be a world class 8, but boy does he have the engine, courage and instincts to be a world class 7!
Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies
My thoughts exactly. I’ve been hesitant to state an opinion because he might just be doing everyone else’s job in the tight without me noticing. But I’ve not seen him dominating and he looked so promising back in 2020.
Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies
I think you’d need to be sure of the finances before committing to the extra teams. It costs a lot of money to pay the players and staff which someone needs to stump up – either broadcasting or investors. Even then you’re likely to have weaker teams overall, which will reduce the competitiveness of the national team and in the World Club Championship.
Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies
The Breakdown crew said that there are two issues – cost and lots of potential mismatches between the four kiwi and five Aussie teams. I think we need at least some matches between the two though, even if it’s just for the reality check.
Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies
You’re right, there is no equivalent rugby website in NZ – or I think Europe or Africa.
I’m really sad that Brett has left, although I listen to his podcast and read his articles elsewhere.
There are articles by Aussie Roarers like Hugh, Riggers, Hosey and Plan B but they’re further down the page because Aussies aren’t commenting under them. Please support those guys – they’ve put a lot of love and effort into their work!
Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies
Absolutely MM. But he’s in my team!
Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies
Cheers mate! The way people have been talking you’d think that the quadrennial exodus was a new thing. Actually more young or mid career All Blacks have left after previous World Cups.
Good comment on the mindset difference between sabbaticals and permanent. Although I’d have no problem with Mo’unga coming back in June 2026 when his contract expires and trying to fight his way back into the team.
Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies
I agree re Blackadder. If he’s in the team without a Dalton or Cane he can do the job.
Although why not play Blackadder at 7? Seems strange to not let Ardie have the ball at the back of the scrum.
Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies
Not sure about that HL, I remember him leaving out Christie at the start of one season but he brought him back eventually!
Anyway please explain your rationale, always willing to listen to other ideas.
Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies
Ha ha good point Andrew! Blackadder’s a rare exception because he’s a natural openside. Look at his stats and he has great instincts leading the defensive line. Fantastic engine, hits hard. The Aotearoa podcast boys said that he’s the closest we’ve got to Cane, although I think Papalii has it in him.
Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies
Dupont was brilliant at everything except passing 😂 High quality, but you can get to him – Fisher and Rennie had a great plan. Don’t get me wrong, he can effect the game very positively and did in the final.
I thought that Leinster really struggled to execute on the day yet they drew the match. So many tries and field goals bombed through poor options or execution. I don’t see a top kiwi team doing that.
Remember, Leinster is close to the Ireland team and Toulouse has so much depth that Nepo Laulala and Capuozzo can’t make the 23 and the likes of Ramos and Marchand are benched. I’m not saying that our teams would necessarily beat them, but even though they aren’t so stacked they’d be right up there.
Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies
A bit worried about lock and depth in the halves but so much strength pretty much everywhere else!
Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies
We have a great product Jacko but they keep it a secret in Australia! How would you promote it?
Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies
Lander – who are your big blokes and who leads the defensive line? The latter is a pretty specialist role.
Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies
I’m certainly with you on two of those Muzz! Papalii is the form openside, he’s stronger and upped his game under Vern. Ardie’s the best 8 in the world and shifting him would reduce his effectiveness.
Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies
Definitely I have big Finau as my 6 MM! Grace was good on Saturday too – what have you thought of him in general this year?
Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies
Gun post BB.
Just about everyone is playing for 8th place or a home semi or final, exciting stuff! As always I’d love to see MP get up even though it’s a real long shot. Great to see that they’re so much more competitive this year.
Can’t wait to see Love playing test rugby. You never know for sure but he seems very ready.
Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies
Exactly right, especially considering what England did to us in 2019 and the last 8 mins in 2022. If we start with the versatile Blackadder we need a specialist in that position on the bench so Ethan can fill in as needed later. That’s Papalii.
Marauding Crusaders, bumper crowds and high-flying Love: key truths emerge from the big Kiwi derbies