Super Rugby 2025
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If the Reds beat the Hurricanes next week, we are in for a blockbuster final round. I'd love it to be all set-up for a winner takes all clash between the Canes and Moana in Wellington.
By virtue of the fact they have the Drua left to play, the Reds are guaranteed 4th or 5th I think. Canes have to win one of the next two, on the assumption the Blues don't balls it up at home against the Tahs - who by virtue of points difference are surely stuffed unless they get two bonus points.
And the great thing after all this, is we should get a bonkers finals series. With no real frontrunner, and everyone being pretty much able to beat everyone, I really think this could be the best finals series since 2017.
@frugby said in Super Rugby 2025:
If the Reds beat the Hurricanes next week, we are in for a blockbuster final round. I'd love it to be all set-up for a winner takes all clash between the Canes and Moana in Wellington.
By virtue of the fact they have the Drua left to play, the Reds are guaranteed 4th or 5th I think. Canes have to win one of the next two, on the assumption the Blues don't balls it up at home against the Tahs - who by virtue of points difference are surely stuffed unless they get two bonus points.
And the great thing after all this, is we should get a bonkers finals series. With no real frontrunner, and everyone being pretty much able to beat everyone, I really think this could be the best finals series since 2017.
I’d be very happy if it doesn’t come down to the last week.
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Sunday 18 May
Ardie Savea crowned 2025 Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year
Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea has claimed the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year title after establishing an unassailable lead in voting with two weeks left in the regular season.The 31-year-old collected the maximum six votes against the Blues in Round 14, and 42 votes across the season so far, putting him beyond the reach of Tom Hooper (31 votes) and Damian McKenzie (28 votes) a fortnight out from the Finals Series.
Savea has been an imposing force for Moana Pasifika on both sides of the ball in his 10 appearances this season, scoring five tries, making over 350 post-contact metres, completing 110 tackles and winning 15 turnovers.
His impact has also been reflected in Super Rugby Pacific Fantasy, with Savea the highest-scoring loose forward in the game and for six weeks of the competition, the most picked player.
Moana Pasifika currently occupy sixth position on the competition ladder, needing one more win to lock in their first-ever Finals appearance.
“Ardie’s passionate leadership and dominant performances for Moana Pasifika this year have made an indelible mark on his teammates, his opponents and our competition as a whole,” Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley said.
“He has received votes from the opposition in almost every game he has played this season, which reflects the consistency of his output and influence on his team.
“The Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year being a peer-voted award, where our players are recognised on a weekly basis by their fellow players and coaches, gives it the greatest possible significance.
“We are delighted that Ardie Savea is the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year.”
Savea will be formally presented the Player of the Year medal at Moana Pasifika’s final regular season game against the Hurricanes at Sky Stadium on Saturday 31 May.
SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC PLAYER OF THE YEAR LADDER (POST ROUND 14)
Ardie Savea - 42
Tom Hooper - 31
Damian McKenzie - 28
Carlo Tizzano - 27
Timoci Tavatavanawai - 26
Langi Gleeson - 26
Fraser McReight - 26 -
@Grooter said in Super Rugby 2025:
https://www.facebook.com/100068186466286/posts/1010417514574455/
I love this sort of shit aye, bringing some much-needed life back into Super Rugby. Hopefully this rivalry flourishes in Auckland in years to come.
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@Grooter said in Super Rugby 2025:
https://www.facebook.com/100068186466286/posts/1010417514574455/
I love this sort of shit aye, bringing some much-needed life back into Super Rugby. Hopefully this rivalry flourishes in Auckland in years to come.
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This post is deleted!
@nonpartizan said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Grooter said in Super Rugby 2025:
https://www.facebook.com/100068186466286/posts/1010417514574455/
I love this sort of shit aye, bringing some much-needed life back into Super Rugby. Hopefully this rivalry flourishes in Auckland in years to come.
+1. Blues official twitter was also funny at the start of the season after all those losses.
You are right about SR - it's been so fun this season. I can't imagine many other sports leagues in the world are as good value as SR right now. The "product " has been
Yeah those saying Super is dieing need to tune in because it’s clearly not based on how close the games have been this year. Anyone on their day can win which is what you want in a competition of this nature. Long may it continue.
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@nonpartizan said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Grooter said in Super Rugby 2025:
https://www.facebook.com/100068186466286/posts/1010417514574455/
I love this sort of shit aye, bringing some much-needed life back into Super Rugby. Hopefully this rivalry flourishes in Auckland in years to come.
+1. Blues official twitter was also funny at the start of the season after all those losses.
You are right about SR - it's been so fun this season. I can't imagine many other sports leagues in the world are as good value as SR right now. The "product " has been
Yeah those saying Super is dieing need to tune in because it’s clearly not based on how close the games have been this year. Anyone on their day can win which is what you want in a competition of this nature. Long may it continue.
This post is deleted! -
@nonpartizan said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Grooter said in Super Rugby 2025:
https://www.facebook.com/100068186466286/posts/1010417514574455/
I love this sort of shit aye, bringing some much-needed life back into Super Rugby. Hopefully this rivalry flourishes in Auckland in years to come.
+1. Blues official twitter was also funny at the start of the season after all those losses.
You are right about SR - it's been so fun this season. I can't imagine many other sports leagues in the world are as good value as SR right now. The "product " has been
Yeah those saying Super is dieing need to tune in because it’s clearly not based on how close the games have been this year. Anyone on their day can win which is what you want in a competition of this nature. Long may it continue.
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
Yeah those saying Super is dieing need to tune in
Legit, the only pricks you see bagging hard is people who don't watch. One of my workmates always tells me how boring Super is and how much better league is despite admitting to not actually watching either.
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@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
Yeah those saying Super is dieing need to tune in
Legit, the only pricks you see bagging hard is people who don't watch. One of my workmates always tells me how boring Super is and how much better league is despite admitting to not actually watching either.
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@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
Yeah those saying Super is dieing need to tune in
Legit, the only pricks you see bagging hard is people who don't watch. One of my workmates always tells me how boring Super is and how much better league is despite admitting to not actually watching either.
@Yeetyaah said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
Yeah those saying Super is dieing need to tune in
Legit, the only pricks you see bagging hard is people who don't watch. One of my workmates always tells me how boring Super is and how much better league is despite admitting to not actually watching either.
People who usually say that only watch the Wahs on the odd occasion.
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@Yeetyaah said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2025:
Yeah those saying Super is dieing need to tune in
Legit, the only pricks you see bagging hard is people who don't watch. One of my workmates always tells me how boring Super is and how much better league is despite admitting to not actually watching either.
People who usually say that only watch the Wahs on the odd occasion.
@African-Monkey he doesn't watch at all. Big into golf though which baffles me when he's talking about rugby being boring.
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Bit of transfer news coming out of the Herald. Kyren Taumoefolau likely to head to the Chiefs next year. Also some interesting info around contract structures for NZ franchises v MP.
Article behind paywall.
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Bit of transfer news coming out of the Herald. Kyren Taumoefolau likely to head to the Chiefs next year. Also some interesting info around contract structures for NZ franchises v MP.
Article behind paywall.
@SouthernMann Moana Pacifika now a development team for NZ rugby
This absolutely sucks in my opinion
First they lose Amua and Tavatavanawai ,now Taumoefolau and you can bet bottom dollar the wolves are circling Patrick Pelligrini because hes litterly in the top 3 10s in the country
defeats the whole purpose of having Pacific team in the comp if their best talent gets picked off every year -
@SouthernMann Moana Pacifika now a development team for NZ rugby
This absolutely sucks in my opinion
First they lose Amua and Tavatavanawai ,now Taumoefolau and you can bet bottom dollar the wolves are circling Patrick Pelligrini because hes litterly in the top 3 10s in the country
defeats the whole purpose of having Pacific team in the comp if their best talent gets picked off every year@Steven-Harris said in Super Rugby 2025:
@SouthernMann Moana Pacifika now a development team for NZ rugby
This absolutely sucks in my opinion
First they lose Amua and Tavatavanawai ,now Taumoefolau and you can bet bottom dollar the wolves are circling Patrick Pelligrini because hes litterly in the top 3 10s in the country
defeats the whole purpose of having Pacific team in the comp if their best talent gets picked off every yearIn the end it will kill MP off as a viable SR team.
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@SouthernMann Moana Pacifika now a development team for NZ rugby
This absolutely sucks in my opinion
First they lose Amua and Tavatavanawai ,now Taumoefolau and you can bet bottom dollar the wolves are circling Patrick Pelligrini because hes litterly in the top 3 10s in the country
defeats the whole purpose of having Pacific team in the comp if their best talent gets picked off every year@Steven-Harris said in Super Rugby 2025:
@SouthernMann Moana Pacifika now a development team for NZ rugby
This absolutely sucks in my opinion
First they lose Amua and Tavatavanawai ,now Taumoefolau and you can bet bottom dollar the wolves are circling Patrick Pelligrini because hes litterly in the top 3 10s in the country
defeats the whole purpose of having Pacific team in the comp if there best talent gets picked off every yearYeah plenty were more than happy to bag the fuck out of us when we were struggling, yet once someone shows an ounce of potential, they get plonked into a NZ side, and then make them ineligible for Samoa/Tonga internationally.
There will be plenty more make no mistake about it. Somehow they'll find a loophole to take Miracle Fa'ilagi with a view of him being an AB after the next world cup.
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@SouthernMann Moana Pacifika now a development team for NZ rugby
This absolutely sucks in my opinion
First they lose Amua and Tavatavanawai ,now Taumoefolau and you can bet bottom dollar the wolves are circling Patrick Pelligrini because hes litterly in the top 3 10s in the country
defeats the whole purpose of having Pacific team in the comp if their best talent gets picked off every year@Steven-Harris said in Super Rugby 2025:
@SouthernMann Moana Pacifika now a development team for NZ rugby
This absolutely sucks in my opinion
First they lose Amua and Tavatavanawai ,now Taumoefolau and you can bet bottom dollar the wolves are circling Patrick Pelligrini because hes litterly in the top 3 10s in the country
defeats the whole purpose of having Pacific team in the comp if their best talent gets picked off every yearPelligrini should be a different case as a locked in Tongan player?
The likes of Kyren Taumoefolau is a weird one. Should have been safe as a Tongan player. Now changing his mind, making the best pathway forward being through an NZR affiliated franchise.
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@Steven-Harris said in Super Rugby 2025:
@SouthernMann Moana Pacifika now a development team for NZ rugby
This absolutely sucks in my opinion
First they lose Amua and Tavatavanawai ,now Taumoefolau and you can bet bottom dollar the wolves are circling Patrick Pelligrini because hes litterly in the top 3 10s in the country
defeats the whole purpose of having Pacific team in the comp if their best talent gets picked off every yearPelligrini should be a different case as a locked in Tongan player?
The likes of Kyren Taumoefolau is a weird one. Should have been safe as a Tongan player. Now changing his mind, making the best pathway forward being through an NZR affiliated franchise.
@SouthernMann said in Super Rugby 2025:
@Steven-Harris said in Super Rugby 2025:
@SouthernMann Moana Pacifika now a development team for NZ rugby
This absolutely sucks in my opinion
First they lose Amua and Tavatavanawai ,now Taumoefolau and you can bet bottom dollar the wolves are circling Patrick Pelligrini because hes litterly in the top 3 10s in the country
defeats the whole purpose of having Pacific team in the comp if their best talent gets picked off every yearPelligrini should be a different case as a locked in Tongan player?
The likes of Kyren Taumoefolau is a weird one. Should have been safe as a Tongan player. Now changing his mind, making the best pathway forward being through an NZR affiliated franchise.
Kyren is a different case. He's a New Zealander who has elected to stand down from representative duty.
If Miracle Fa'ilagi gets poached then there should rightfully be an uproar.
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I mean you can't really blame the super teams, it is totally up to the player where he goes. No one is going to say no to a world class player wanting to play for them, regardless of who approached who first.
If he is happy at MP you would think he would stay there. -
@SouthernMann Moana Pacifika now a development team for NZ rugby
This absolutely sucks in my opinion
First they lose Amua and Tavatavanawai ,now Taumoefolau and you can bet bottom dollar the wolves are circling Patrick Pelligrini because hes litterly in the top 3 10s in the country
defeats the whole purpose of having Pacific team in the comp if their best talent gets picked off every year@Steven-Harris said in Super Rugby 2025:
@SouthernMann Moana Pacifika now a development team for NZ rugby
This absolutely sucks in my opinion
First they lose Amua and Tavatavanawai ,now Taumoefolau and you can bet bottom dollar the wolves are circling Patrick Pelligrini because hes litterly in the top 3 10s in the country
defeats the whole purpose of having Pacific team in the comp if their best talent gets picked off every yearHow the hell does Pelligrini even get in your mind as a AB, he's not eligible for ABs . He's a Tongan intrernational FFS. You got to make better arguments.
Levi Aumua originally was never going to play for MP as he stated clearly he wanted to be AB (he wished). Tavatavanawai was really outside MP's remit anyway, they were started to build depth for Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands according to Michael Jones . Tavatavanama is not eligible for any of those teams , he's Fijian.I like everything about the MP concept, and I can bet some will be lost to French clubs etc for the big money etc.
This is what Jones said on whether they expected more ABs;
Jones says Moana Pasifika's priority should be to stay true to its DNA; that’s to assist with the growth and building Samoan and Tongan rugby, in particular, along with the likes of Cook Islands.Out of interest Miracle couldn't even be poached as he has played for Samoa.
