The Silver Fern

And across in the BBL Finn Allen and Mitch Marsh are batting on an absolute road. 69/0 off four. Allen 37 off 14.

Even though he has head explosions. Allen is box office and should be the first name written down whenever he is available.

@Chris said in Highlanders 2026:

@Bones said in Highlanders 2026:

@Yeetyaah said in Highlanders 2026:

@jimmylazza said in Highlanders 2026:

blown a gasket

So what's the actual injury then

Looks easy to fix,rip the head off,replace the gasket already to go again, he should be back at training after a day in the garage.

Pop him into Dunedin City Motors. Good relationship with the Landers

Roigard, Pledger, Preston, Hotham, Fakatava all under contract until 2027.

Other options include Viljoen (signed until 2026), Jai Tamati (Hurricanes WTG), Nic Shearer (Highlanders WTG)... then which ever young guy is around camp.

Question is will the Chiefs do with Sinton what the Landers have done with Muliaina and take him off the market early.

@Dan54 said in Super Rugby - The Future:

I still think in most weekends you would get as many to NPC games (combined) as you got at super..

I can't find the hard numbers for Super attendance or a game by game breakdown for NPC. But even the soft ones, this claim is not true and I know it is one you constantly fall back on.

With NZRs publicity following the completion of the competition (NPC) it stated 240k fans attended games. That is across 77 games. Which means on average 3,117 people attended games. Meaning each week 21,818 people on average attended across the seven game weekend.

That 240k it includes:

18k Canterbury v Otago - final
Nearly 11 k Otago v BoP semi final
8 k Southland v Otago

There is nearly 40k across three game.

22k would be two poorly attended NZ games in Super Rugby.

Not diminishing the crowds that turned out to some NPC games. It is just completely incrorect to compare overall attendance mumbers week in and out between the two comps.

@Tim said in Blues 2026:

I would love for us to go full Auckland-piston wristed gibbons mode and scoop up Pledger.

Nice bait. Will let that one just drift by haha.

@MacDazzler said in Blues 2026:

Do they try and lure one of Hotham or Preston on a big contract away from the Crusaders?

I reckon Preston will go overseas after the next contract he has with the Saders. Is 26, is unlikely to add many, if any to his test caps. Being a capped AB gives massive value add.

Hotham is the Crusaders long-term guy.

Sinton is who they need to throw the bag at.

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2026:

@SouthernMann said in Blues 2026:

looking closely at a few halfbacks

Funaki is rumored to be leaving after this season. I would be throwing the checkbook at Charlie Sinton.

Yeah, that is where I'd be going. Promise the kid a starting spot either next year or the year after.

Christie - 30
Nock - 29
Funaki - 25
Renton - 31

James Arscott is also around being aligned to Auckland. He's a third pick at best.

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2026:

2024 Warriors U17 and 2025 MP U20 Half Back Boston Krone was in the gym with the team today.

Surely the Blues will be looking closely at a few halfbacks to see who could nail the role in future years. No one in the current squad or the wider group will be the guy in a couple of years time (including Funaki, who I know has his fans here). Halfback must be the recruitment priority for the management team.

@Dan54 said in Exodus:

@SouthernMann , wasn't suggesting I knew more than you etc, I suggesting perhaps some just not thinking of the different requirements of each board. Highlanders aren't there just for to help Otago save money, by sharing their costs, but to operate a completely different club. bit even on vehicles , as you say car dealerships could sign one deal instead of 2, but usually they use different dealerships anyway.
If it was that simple wouldn't NZR also share offices etc with the Canes as they based in Wellington?

I completely understand what the priorities should be of the two organisations. Infact I'd say my position is better than the understanding of aome PU boards that fiddle heavily in the operational businesses.

The PU should be focused on community development. The Super focused on HP.

HP spend has nearly crippled a few PUs.

You have really held on to the fleet point. Saying often use two different. One of the reasons I used that is that I know both Otago/Highlanders have a long-standing agreement with DC Motors. It was a case study example.

It isn't about either org being a white knight to the other. It is about looking at what are ways to support eachother by looking at how better support the primary goals they have.

Also these are recommendations made in a report about future proofing NZ Rugby. The partnering of home PUs with Super bases. It isn't out the box thinking.

NZR and Canes well that is just dumb. Except for the fact the most used training base for NZ high performance is... the home of the Canes out at Trentham.

@Dan54 said in Exodus:

@SouthernMann said in Exodus:

@Dan54 said in Exodus:

@mohikamo said in Exodus:

@gt12

The first move should be to merge the admin ops of the SR clubs with Auck/Waik/Wel/Cant Otago PUs.
There must be duplication there, and this should have already been done.

I not sure there would be a lot of duplication would there? I have been on a club board and at same time a provincial board, and there was no duplication there as such and don't see as how there would be much in this case.

There are heaps of duplications that could be managed.

Academies
Promotions/marcoms
Ticketing
Leasing of office spaces
Vehicle fleet
Sponsors
Administration/payroll functions
Training aids and equipment

The list can go on. The organisation would be split into two. Professional/high performance and community. With an agreement that a certain amount of funding needs to be provided to the community game.

The same argument around rugby is occuring with local government at the moment with amalgamation. Just like rugby unions. We have far too many Councils and a lot are trying to keep the status quo.

I think maybe there is a bit of misunderstanding of how these boards operate. They quite seperate things with completely different jobs etc. And many things like ticketing are run by things like ticketek, sponsorship is same, why would a super club split sponsorship with one province in their area, even vehicle fleet, why double your number so both lots can use them, most provinces pay bugger all if anything for cars etc ,they come from sponsors etc with in region.. They really are seperate identities with such seperate needs.

Absolutely no misunderstanding. A rather arrogant comment of yours to say I don't understand. You keep banging on about being a former committee/board member which somehow gives a higher knowledge set. Which is not the case. Plenty of us on here have had decent level experience with operational or governance roles. We just don't jump up and down saying it.

In NZ in general, gocernance is primarily self-serving and appalingly managed. With rugby being a major example. Like I said, similar to how bad local democracy is.

There are different purposes to PUs and Super sides. You are right. PUs primary responaibility is having a viable community game. Kids and community. Not primarily high performance.

Super is high performance and fan engagement.

Community rugby feeds through into high performance. It is integral. Community fans, players and administrators are high performance fans and players.

I stand by the points I made about duplication.

With sponsors. Super and PUs are competing with eachother for the same $$$. Taking away the competition and having a potentially larger pool is beneficial for both parties.

With the fleet. Yes supplied by sponsors. Understand that. If the car dealership can sign one contract instead of two there can be benefits for all parties. It wouldn't be doubling the numbers. It'd likely be using fewer than the total combined for both.

With the ticketing. Again. I know it is managed by a third party. If you are getting a service provided offering more products to sell will get a better deal than 5/6 games each. Especially being able to utilise the expertise of the ticketing/fan experience/marketing the Super sides have on their books.

Same with player development. There is already relationships in place. Formalising it and having say PUs running it to U16 level and Super sides take over from U18s would reflect the expertise of the different organisations (community v HP).

It is a change I am very keen to see. I know a lot of others who are as well. It would require by in from a range or parties which make it difficult.

@Dan54 said in Exodus:

@mohikamo said in Exodus:

@gt12

The first move should be to merge the admin ops of the SR clubs with Auck/Waik/Wel/Cant Otago PUs.
There must be duplication there, and this should have already been done.

I not sure there would be a lot of duplication would there? I have been on a club board and at same time a provincial board, and there was no duplication there as such and don't see as how there would be much in this case.

There are heaps of duplications that could be managed.

Academies
Promotions/marcoms
Ticketing
Leasing of office spaces
Vehicle fleet
Sponsors
Administration/payroll functions
Training aids and equipment

The list can go on. The organisation would be split into two. Professional/high performance and community. With an agreement that a certain amount of funding needs to be provided to the community game.

The same argument around rugby is occuring with local government at the moment with amalgamation. Just like rugby unions. We have far too many Councils and a lot are trying to keep the status quo.

@Dan54 said in Exodus:

@gt12 said in Exodus:

The lengths people will go to to keep the NPC.

Yep, I want to keep the NPC. Why? Because it probably the best and enjoyable comp in the country. Does it cost NZR money, yep, but I only looking at it as what I want.
We stuck with trying to have a pro comp in a country of 5.5 mill people that's down the other side of world , so it's not going to be great and work for everyone, especially those who reside outside of the country. Super ain't going to run for longer , as we not only country in it, and both countries(as do most world wide) like it or not make most of their money from their test teams. And during July to September we play most tests etc to fund the game. So we got what we got, and we will lose the odd player overseas, but so be it.
The irony is a lot who are talking of exodus on forums have joined the exodus of the country anyway!
I

Australia would be keen to make more out of Super. They are now running domestic Super during our NPC.

A consistent international window that allows a longer domestic season and is one product would be the right fit.

International windows. Two. Have one domestic competition that runs from March - September. With an international window.

Your views on the NPC are well known and regularly stated. I generally like it. It just isn't viable to have 20 semi/professional sides.

While making changes would create a clear and consistent product. It won't stop players leaving for a more money and experiencss overseas.

@gt12 said in Exodus:

The lengths people will go to to keep the NPC.

This is it.

Having 20 semi professional/professional teams across two competitions is stupid.

We will always export rugby players. What is disappointing is that we spend so much time developing players and some overseas union gets the benefits of our hard work.

Professional rugby in NZ is essentially made up of three groups. All Blacks, fringe All Blacks and U26s.

The U26s either become established and push to the AB/fringe level or they go overseas. The timing of going overseas will also likely match the OEs of their non-rugby playing mates.

The ABs get paid huge salaries, so it isn't a major sacrafice to stay in NZ financially.

Living in Italy for a Super squad member (squaddie 28) would be much more enticing than splitting your time between New Plymouth/Invercargill and Dunedin/Hamilton.

We should be expecting to see fringe guys leave each year who have given it a shot ans just haven't quite made it.

@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2026:

@mohikamo said in Super Rugby 2026:

@Duluth said in Super Rugby 2026:

I think there should be more teams and the larger ones should be broken up. There should be more opportunities for players to play close to their home.. that makes for a more tribal competition with more interest.

On that.
I'm thinking most players are a bit more particular about which NPC team they play for than they are about their SR team.
As soon as an SR contract comes their way; they're in, they don't care which team.

I don’t think that’s the case at all, every player will have a Super franchise they support growing up and for most players that would be their first option no doubt. This is only true if they are struggling to find an opportunity and a spot at another franchise is their only option.

Professional rugby is like other workplaces. Grads (or in rugby terms 19 - 21 year olds) will go where there is the best opportunities for them. Some of the top kids will get to chose, others will make strategic decisions based on the opportunities available and some will just end up where there is a spot available. Same as in the corporate world. Kids may have firms they want to work for, but will end up in the Mainfreight grad programme on the end of the broom.

Most 20-year-olds won't automatically make 23s and being squad player 36 for their chosen team may be a dream come true. It will just do fuck all for their development. Same with being a WTG member.

Wrampling-Alec wanted to be a Chief. Is now a Blue due to opportunities.

Tangitau held tacklebags for two years at the Blues. Tore it up at the Landers.

Solomon offered a WTG spot at the Canes and a full gig at the Landers. Still to be seen if he can overcome his lack of size.

The best thing players can do is listen to good considered advice. Jacomb for example probably signed a year too long at the Chiefs.

Having a favourite team is fine. Getting gametime is even better.

Then historically, some of the franchises best players would not have dreamed of playing for the teams they became icons with. Brodie Retallick, McKenzie or ALB dreamed of becoming Chiefs. Or Aaron Smith a Highlander. Or Richie McCaw being one of the best Canterbury sportsmen ever.

Mika Muliaina talked about suporting the Chiefs.

The biggest tool for recruitment of players, whether local or from outside the known catchments is to tell the story of how/when the player will be a full-time regular. The Blues couldn't do that with Tangitau (when he left he was stuck behind All Blacks). The same with the Crusaders and keeping Oudenryn. Not hooki g spots available at Crusaders HQ.

Every guy will want to be playing regularly as soon as possible. Boyhood loyalties will fade when it is clear a player could be starting instead of playing clubrugby and holding tackle bags.

Highlight: has to be the Otago run in the NPC.

Lowlight: the Landers losing so many by a small margin.

2026 plans:

Taking my near two year old to his first game of live sport in March. Headind down to Dunedin to take him to the Landers v Force.

Super Round in Christchurch.

Potentially the Boxing Day test. Big personal spanner is three months ago I was given full permission. Now I have another kid turning up in August. Really tough balancing act to get a week away on the piss leaving the other half at home with a four month old and a near three year old. Consequences eh.

@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2026:

@SouthernMann said in Super Rugby 2026:

@nostrildamus said in Super Rugby 2026:

@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2026:

This is the year of Riley, he’s primed for a big season.

And I've never heard that before...

Every year. Then he gets injured.

You’re talking like he’s been around forever.

2025 was the year he was talked up big time because Jordie was in Ireland and we were finally going to see Higgins get a good run at the next level after looking like a cheat code in the NPC. (Similar to Pledger this year). Unfortunately he got injured and Jordie’s now back.

Higgins showed even with a handful of appearances last year that he’s destined to do very well at Super level as well and will push for higher honours, let’s hope he stays on. the park.

Oh and he’s definitely not going to Wales.

I certainly hope he stays on the park. Petone, Lower Hutt, Wellington, the Canes and NZ as a whole needs a fit and firing messiah.

@nostrildamus said in Super Rugby 2026:

@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2026:

This is the year of Riley, he’s primed for a big season.

And I've never heard that before...

Every year. Then he gets injured.

@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2026:

@SouthernMann said in Super Rugby 2026:

Few predictions heading into the year

1. MP to take the loss have Savea hard. Last.

2. Crusaders to dominate the competition once again. Final to be held at the new Christchurch stadium.

3. Blues to miss the playoffs.

4. Highlanders to win more than they lose.

5. Two Aussie sides to make the top 6.

6. If Zac Lomax comes across, he will be one of the top try scorers. With Kyren Taumoefolau and Tangitau up in the top 4.

7. Riley Higgins' injury woes continue. Sadly.

8. Nathan Hastie plays his way into Wallabies contention.

9. Samipeni Finau squashes at least four first fives.

10. George Bell is the standout starting hooker. Codie Taylor's time is primarily managed from the bench.

Just some random thoughts by watching some bazball

Fk right off pal.

We all want FAB Riley Higgins on the field. The country needs him. Jackson street needs a new addition to its Walk of Champions too. Just going off previous seasons, he doesn't have a strong history of playing full campaigns.

Few predictions heading into the year

1. MP to take the loss have Savea hard. Last.

2. Crusaders to dominate the competition once again. Final to be held at the new Christchurch stadium.

3. Blues to miss the playoffs.

4. Highlanders to win more than they lose.

5. Two Aussie sides to make the top 6.

6. If Zac Lomax comes across, he will be one of the top try scorers. With Kyren Taumoefolau and Tangitau up in the top 4.

7. Riley Higgins' injury woes continue. Sadly.

8. Nathan Hastie plays his way into Wallabies contention.

9. Samipeni Finau squashes at least four first fives.

10. George Bell is the standout starting hooker. Codie Taylor's time is primarily managed from the bench.

Just some random thoughts by watching some bazball