The Silver Fern

@KiwiMurph said in Rugby World Cup 2027 Draw - LIVE:

@booboo said in Rugby World Cup 2027 Draw - LIVE:

Doubt they'll open with Aus v NZ in case we win.

Expect Aus v HK in Perth to open.

Didnt stop them doing France ABs as the last RWC opening game.....

Chile would be more competitive (and more likely) than HK

Yeah but having the HK game in Perth, both countries are in the same time zone and Rugby is growing rapidly in the country there. I'm anticipating that they bank on a lot of Expats taking the flight to Perth to watch especially with some HSBC funding

@BellsGeorg said in Crusaders 2026:

@Grooter Every midfielder in the Canterbury squad has a full-time super contract, and two of them are former All Blacks, so it's just really hard to get the younger guys any minutes.

He was also coming back from a long term injury that he sustained in the Crusaders pre season match earlier this year so they were managing him. Very decent prospect who IMO will quickly move up the ranks should he see decent minutes. Can also cover 10 as a point of difference.

Confirmation of Oli Mathis joining the Crusaders in a wider training group capacity for 2026 before a full-time contract for 27 and 28
https://crusaders.co.nz/latest/news/oli-mathis-signs-with-crusaders-for-2027-and-2028/

@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:

What's Blake Makiri up to?

Played in the ignite 7s on the weekend. Will chase if he still has a contract in the MLR but seemed to miss a significant part of MLR and NPC this year due to injuries

@handa457 said in Highlanders 2026:

. https://southlandtribune.substack.com/p/savs-sidelines-1984-southland-sportsperson?fbclid=IwdGRjcANsPLZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHtxvZD1rJgo_sUHfnnK_mtfbUCxSJjZfseHCoWGo70JjXWfa2mn-ew8D6aPD_aem_iG1tCm1NlUsDXdprCtNa5w

Few interesting things in here. Sexton is confirmed to have a wider training group Gig with a Super Rugby franchise. Assuming that’s the highlanders, and Hayden Michael’s is apparently returning to the landers.

Aho, Peni and Paula Latu likely off to MP.

Sextons wider training group I believe is with the Crusaders for next year

believe the Highlanders are still trying to shake the tree at the Crusaders and snag one of their young locks coming through. Doesn't seem like a go though.

For me the only one I can see moving would be Tahlor Cahill or Liam Jack. I believe both a long term prospects though and are both signed for next season

Letiu is starting for Canterbury B in the curtain raiser game so he is definitely not injured.

Thomas Polo spent a few years down In Christchurch playing for Canterbury Uni but never quite kicked on. looks as if he has relocated back to Auckland. Rico Mcquoid was also down in Christchurch at Lincoln University but was well down the order

Kyle Preston potentially injured too. what sort of halfback curse does NZ have at the moment

Shearer is also a class 10 and would defiantly be able to cover it at NPC level if required. Kids like a Swiss army knife

Fletcher Anderson is set to be released from his contract and I've heard he's got interest from the Western Force. unsure if he's signed with them yet but definitely something to keep an eye on over the next few weeks

I also was informed that there are a few back ended deals where younger players are signed for multiple years meaning that there are no new Crusaders contracts available until 2027? Unsure the accuracy around this, but would mean that the Saders have to pay players out to move them on

I have heard Drummond has been offered a WTG contract which he has taken. By all accounts, Chapman has the third halfback spot

@Landers92 Yeah he's certainly signed with Chiefs a few months back. I haven't heard the Waikato info but he was set to play for Canterbury this season before he did his ACL.

would like to see Nic Shearer involved with the landers in 2026. Has been impressive for Southland so far

Saw a post on Instagram yesterday from the mythofdmac account showcasing the depth across NZ at the moment. thought i'd chuck it up here for reference of what Razors trying to build.

• just so no one jumps down their back, the criteria was mentioned as adding in capped players before the uncapped.

Can see Taumoefolau and Isaac Hutchinson forming part of a lethal back three for the Chiefs in the years to come

@Bovidae said in NPC 2025:

There are some pre-season games happening this Friday/Saturday. I've seen Manawatū v Canterbury and Counties Manukau v Northland listed. There must be others too.

The Canterbury vs Manawatu game is next week on the 25th July is it not?

@Fredsaua12 said in Otago 2025:

I believe the midfielder from Canterbury is Jae Broomfield. Was Canterbury B player of the year last season and can also cover wing. Very classy player with great turn of pace

Following up on my oil here, I believe Jae was offered a contract but it wasn't taken up. unsure on whether he will end up with Canterbury or elsewhere. Trying to find more info now

I believe the midfielder from Canterbury is Jae Broomfield. Was Canterbury B player of the year last season and can also cover wing. Very classy player with great turn of pace