NZ Domestic comps

[waiopehu oldboy]

He's 24 so possibly been overtaken by 21yo Manumaua Letiu in the Crusaders setup.

 

[zer0]

Vikena left in 2024, Riccitteli left in 2025, Eklund will be 34 when the 2026 season starts, and Mullan looks like a Cantab sleeper agent. We ended up with some absolute battlers as injury cover during the season. I can't see how he wouldn't have been, at absolute worse, regularly on the bench.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

I could understand JRK and Tangitau leaving as the Blues had Ioane, Telea, and Lam at the time while they would walk into the Highlanders starting positions. Surely now it would be the inverse for Tito-Harris.

Go all in on stealing Dylan Pledger and Luke Casey as recompense.

Pledger has already signed for Clan & you've missed out on Casey...

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

Interesting that he's happy to be in the wtg for a year before going onto a full contract in '27.

 

[Dan54]

Pledger has already signed for Clan & you've missed out on Casey...

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

Interesting that he's happy to be in the wtg for a year before going onto a full contract in '27.

Yep, I think he probably knows a couple of games where he ben bloody good at NPC probably isn't worth to ge elsewhere.
Also genuinely think he would look at coaching group at the Clan and see where he will get some good knowledge?
There will be some injuries anyway, and so will probably sneak into full squad at some stage., if he keeps showing the promise.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Stags trail by 25 with 10 to go but will still pick up a four-try BP. Time it was done away with, I feel.

 

[Dan54]

Stags trail by 25 with 10 to go but will still pick up a four-try BP. Time it was done away with, I feel.

Agree mate, not sure how you get a bonus point when losing by 25 points. I really think rugby needs to stop rewarding losing, because it was pretty.
Anywa NH shield challenge just starting!

 

[Dan54]

Not as cler cut in first half of shield game, 21-14, NH aren't rolling over.
Geez Naki game just starting too!!!

 

[Dan54]

Otago keep shield for the year, was another bloody good game.
Now the Naki/ Wellington game is a all go. Naki up 32-13 after 52 minutes.

 

[Dan54]

Well that was a great 2nd half for Naki, Jacomb pulling strings and looking bloody good. 39-20 and Wellington, last years champs looking like they will miss the finals!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Cantabs (37 points), Otago (36), 'naki (32), BoP (31), Hawke's Bay (30) & Tasman (29) locked in for NPC Top 8 & will be joined by winner of Waikato (25) v Northland (24). Loser will be vulnerable to Counties (22) if they beat Tasman away. Wellington (19) look too far adrift even if they win v BoP at home.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Heartland even more clear-cut (albeit there might be some minor adjustments to the current order) with eighth-placed 'nua a whopping 11 points clear of King Country.

7-from-7 Mid Cantabs nine points clear so will finish top but there's only five points from second-equal Whanganui & North Otago to 'nua in eighth so any number of SF permutations possible.

 

[Dan54]

Geez I genuinely enjoying NPC so much , more even than other years if that possible. I even admit to finding the Bled game on Saturday wasn't much higher on my interest of games on Saturday. I was enjoyed watching Otago/NH game and then the Naki/Lions match, so test wasn't absolutly riveting as normal.