Super Rugby 2024: NZ, Drua & Moana matches

[waiopehu oldboy]

A thread for matches not involving an Australian team.

Round 1

Chiefs v Crusaders
Friday 23 Feb 19:05 NZDT in Hamilton

Blues v Drua
Saturday 24 Feb 16:35 in Whangarei

Highlanders v Moana Pasifika
Saturday 24 Feb 19:05 in Dunedin

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

 

[Dan54]

Chiefs: Shaun Stevenson, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Damian McKenzie, Xavier Roe, Luke Jacobson (capt), Kaylum Boshier, Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa’i, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Reuben O’Neill, Bradley Slater, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Jimmy Tupou, Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Daniel Rona

Crusaders: Chay Fihaki, Sevu Reece, Levi Aumua, Dallas McLeod, Macca Springer, Rivez Reihana, Mitchell Drummond, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Dominic Gardiner, Quinten Strange, Scott Barrett (capt), Tamaiti Williams, George Bell, George Bower. Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Jamie Hannah, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Ryan Crotty.

With injuries,pretty much as expected in both teams, great way to start comp

 

[Dan54]

Blues: Zarn Sullivan, Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta, Finlay Christie, Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i (capt), Anton Segner, Josh Beehre, Sam Darry, Angus Ta’avao, Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu’a. Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Jordan Lay, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes.

Fijian Drua: Isikeli Rabitu, Epeli Momo, Iosefo Masi, Apisalome Vota, Selestino Ravutaumada, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Frank Lomani, Meli Derenalagi (capt), Ella Canakaivata, Etonia Waqa, Leone Rotuisolia, Isoa Nasilasila, Mesake Doge, Tevita Ikanivere, Livai Natave. Reserves: Mesulame Dolokoto, Emosi Tuqiri, Jone Koroiduadua, Mesake Vocevoce, Vilive Miramira, Peni Matawalu, Kemu Valetini, Tudraki Samusamuvodre

Got makings of good game, interested to see how Drua look for year. That's a good Blues line up

 

[Dan54]

Highlanders: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Tanielu Tele’a, Sam Gilbert (vc), Jona Nareki, Rhys Patchell, Folau Fakatava, Hugh Renton, Billy Harmon (capt), Sean Withy, Fabian Holland, Pari Pari Parkinson, Saula Ma’u, Henry Bell, Daniel Lienert-Brown. Reserves: Jack Taylor, Ayden Johnstone, Jermaine Ainsley, Oliver Haig, Nikora Broughton, Nathan Hastie, Cameron Millar, Jonah Lowe
Moana Pasifika: Danny Toara, Nigel Ah Wong, Pepesane Patafilo, Julian Savea, Viliami Fine, William Havili, Ere Enari, Lotu Inisi, Alamanda Motuga, Miracle Faillagi, Samuel Slade, Tom Savage, Sione Mafielo, Sama Malolo, James Lay (capt). Reserves: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Suetena Asomua, Allan Craig, Jacob Norris, Aisea Halo, D'Angelo Leuila, Anzleo Tuitavuki
Be interesting to see how these 2 teams get going for season now the real stuff is starting. No De Groot for the Clan., but like the look of that pack.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Suddenly that Blues tight 5 looks a wee bit iffy.

Segner starting over Choat is a slight surprise. Choat was the point of difference on D at the coalface in the preseason Japan games

Meh fuckit lets do this shit:

Blues Bus departs Eden Park, bound for Whangarei.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Tribe putting the biff back into training:

Watch: Tempers flare at Chiefs training before Super Rugby final rematch against Crusaders

There was some friendly fire at Wednesday's session, as the Chiefs prepare for a grudge match against the defending champions.

www.newshub.co.nz

 

[zer0]

Just realised Suafoa isn't in the Blues team.Thought he'd have been a shoe-in as starting lock during Tuipulotu's absence.

 

[Dan54]

Just realised Suafoa isn't in the Blues team.Thought he'd have been a shoe-in as starting lock during Tuipulotu's absence.

Think Beehre's form preseason was hard to ignore mate.

 

[KiwiM]

I don't think Suafoa has played much lock at all during preseason - forced to a bit perhaps in the last preseason game vs Chiefs.

Suafoa should get some opportunities in the loose forward mix I think. He really impressed at 6 for the Maori ABs when they beat Ireland in NZ a couple of years back (Zarn was man of the match from fullback...)

 

[zer0]

Tamati Williams should've just kept gunning it into McKenzie at full pelt.

EDIT: nvm. he did a hammie. RIP.

 

[Dctarget]

Tamati Williams should've just kept gunning it into McKenzie at full pelt.

done a hammy? Looked painful

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Cantab Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Ryan Crotty.

 

[zer0]

Looked to me like it happened as he decelerated. Even more reason for the mobile apartment block to keep going hard regardless.

 

[zer0]

lol.

lmao, even.

Get rekt, Cantabs.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Fuck am I gunna cop some shit at wifey's cousin's 40th tomorrow night...

The fact I've been (relatively) gracious in victory these past seven years won't count for shit.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

LOL, the instant Razor departs the Cantabs dynasty is suddenly over and they immediately revert to titleless Toddy mode.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

OK, time to practice some tomorrow night chat:

- you don't win the title in February

- wait until it's duck shooting season & your blokes have to head down to CheeChee

- remember last year? Tribe won both round-robins but who won the Final? Eh?

Fairly sure I'll make it out alive...

 

[Dan54]

This has been a bloody enjoyable first half of the first game of season. Crusaders losing Tamaiti Williams seem to indicate they going to have one of those years? They not out of it yet by any means, but by geez the Chiefs are having fun, the 10-15 combo of DMac and Stevenson is going to piss some teams off in counterattack! Fun game for a neutral!!!