The Silver Fern

@Tim said in Blues 2026:

@Daffy-Jaffy I wonder if James Cameron will be on an NDC contract. Maybe the prop is in WTG?

James Cameron was confirmed by Blues as Full Squad 2026

@pakman said in All Blacks XV 2025:

With Beehre promoted XV very low on locks?

My understanding is he is just training cover for the week with the All Blacks. Could still be released to play xv. Although actually I highly doubt that

Just curious, what are Chiefs fans thoughts on Boshier being in the ABs XV. Clearly viewed high enough by national selectors, yet Chiefs supporters sounding unbothered about his spot in the squad. From the outside I'm a bit surprised to see him up the pecking order yet now have an expectation for him to feature regularly for Chiefs

@Steven-Harris said in Blues 2026:

Blues wider training squad players that were handed to me

Eslie Fono
Josh Renton
Jed Melvin
Sam Matenga
Torian Barnes
Eli Oudenryn
Harlyn Saunoa
Mason Tupaea

There’s a couple of other names but that’s the majority that I got passed on to me
There’s a few other names
I would expect Sam Hainsworth Fa’aofo given he was used by the Blues last year as a 7 in preseason games

Is the three props correct. I had thought I had read that the wider training squads were to be limited to positions i.e. 1 hooker, 1 loosehead, 1 tighthead, 1 lock, etc. leaving a designated player in the wider squad to cover any injury in the main squad. Could Mason Tupaea potentially be in the full squad if that's the case?

@MacDazzler I thought Gallagher was a standout for Canterbury at blindside. Not just a loss to the Hurricanes, but to NZ Rugby

@KiwiMurph said in Aussie Pro Rugby:

@booboo said in Aussie Pro Rugby:

I didn't look at Gordon and think future superstar. Wonder why they think he's worth so much.

I think it's more of a case of look at the alternatives

JOC may not even make 2027

Quade and presumably Foley are done.

Lynagh has serious injury concerns

Lolesio had a very serious long term injury this year

They dont rate Donaldson/He has never knocked down the door

Edmed has shown very little.

In the other words the cupboard is bare - Carter Gordon was the best realistic option available to them.

So the Wallabies clearly identify their first 5s as an area of concern, yet in Super Rugby they have allowed Carter Gordon to return to the Reds to compete for gametime with other Wallabies First 5 Tom Lynagh while they both probably limit the playing time and development of Harry McLaughlin-Phillips who was looking like being one for the future. To add to it with other signing rumours, Ben Volavola is set to join this group. I can only assume they sought after him as a third first 5 and completed the signing before the news of Carter Gordons return began and when those conversations came they wouldn't say no to signing Gordon.

The problem I see here for Australia rugby is the distribution. Tane Edmed has gone to Brumbies to replace Lolesio and get a fresh start. Declan Meredith will be behind him with potential. Ben Dono is at the force with Max Burey showing exciting from in the recent Super Rugby AU comp. The team that could benefit from any of the four Reds First 5s are the Waratahs. Jack Bowen has potential but not there yet. I don't see much in giving Lawson Creighton minutes when this could be used to give one of the quality Reds boys playing time. I see Debreczeni starting which is again a shame because despite the fact that I rate him as an handy experienced first 5 option in your squad, ideally the four starting super rugby first 5s in Australia should be the four best players competing for that Wallabies jersey. I see these players for 2026 being Gordon, Lynagh, Donaldson, and Edmed, with Burey and McLaughlin-Phillips being the next cabs. None of these players will be taking a share of the 80 minutes played at first 5 for the Waratahs each week, with at least one of these 6 not even featuring in a match day 23.

This could allow Cam Millar, the man from Gore, to return to his home province

Did Flyn Yates even feature for Manawatu this season?

@Smudge What exactly was the breach. I had seen Mitch Gibson in the team list earlier in the season and had just thought he was a loan player which most other provinces also utilise

Jone primarily midfielder but can also cover wing

@SouthernMann said in NPC 2025:

Wild is my wildcard. The skinny little kid is great fun to watch. Can really go. Just a good NPC battler who can tear it up.

Reincarnation of Andre Taylor

The comments are suggesting a return of Pablo Matera. Could carry some truth as the loose forward mix is still open. Blackadder, Lio-Willie, Gardiner and Saifoloi already signed. Grace, Kellow, and Anderson seemingly at the end of their contracts and Christie departing. Suggestions that Mathis is replacing Christie and I would expect to see Grace and Kellow returning so potentially Matera in for Anderson

I think the Highlanders should consider George Reeves as the Number 8 signing. Great talent out of Canterbury, I believe to be similar size wise to Fletcher Anderson. A good build for a number 8 that has the versatility to cover blindside where he has been appearing for Southland off the bench. Southland picking him up has gone under the radar for the talent that he is. Betting that he will continue to flourish with more game time and time in the NPC environment. His first week with the stags was brought onto the bench and made an impact in their win over Manawatu with strong carries and the ability to turnover the ball at the breakdown. He is a young number 8 that I think is worth investing in, and the pathway to sign him is more viable now with him on loan with the Stags than trying to work out other players contract situations like Fletcher Anderson

@Kirwan Played 12 for NZ Schools in 2022 I think

@Mr-Fish Cashmore already announced as a departure from the Hurricanes so could be an option for Chiefs if he hasn't signed elsewhere

@booboo He has made himself available for the Rugby Championship following Jake Gordons injury. Would be saving the Wallabies from having to bring in a second uncapped halfback alongside Ryan Lonergan. The only other capped halfback is Issak Fines-Leleiwasa but he seems to have switched his focus to Fiji having signed with the Drua. Expecting to see Lonergan get a decent shot this Rugby Championship

@jamsb He had been appearing at second five for HSOB during the club rugby season

I saw a harlequins squad named the other day, is that essentially the Waikato B squad?

@taniwharugby I believe both Latu and Dale's connection goes back to the Sydenham club in Canterbury which saw Dale recruit Latu down to Southland and then again to Northland. This season he returned to Sydenham for club rugby and now with Canterbury

@Daffy-Jaffy Is Australian qualified through grandparents too