Sam Matavesi's dream year... from Pirates to Toulouse to Fiji and now to Northampton

McKenzie has NEVER won a championship at any level as a 10- not Test level, Super Rugby, NPC, Japan’s Top League, Secondary Schools.

Apparently it’s not his fault though, it’s everyone else’s.

BB 1 hour ago

Interesting my comments regarding Ben Smith post were deleted but when I posted on the follow up site so many approved my sentiments...apologies!...no pain was intended, merely stated facts.

BB 1 hour ago

Ben Smith is not regarded by most in the know as a fair "rugby writer" in SA...his negative obsession with the "supposed World Champions" knows no bounds. What he writes about NZ is probably correct but forgets England were also width of an upright away from beating them. Perhaps focus on the good All Black rugby will become and leave out the absolute rubbish comments about the guys in Green.

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Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

JW 2 hours ago

I wasn't suggesting SA haven't already been having talks with other African teams. merely corrected Ed on what JWH's argument was.

It was also very interesting to watch the Portugal game this year, it showed these matchs have value imo.

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JW 2 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Ahh yup, it was just the international and domestic matches that were split, I had been thinking once Sky TV's deal/contribution had increased they went and changed the model/share on you lol That's good then, and to be honest think that is best. A shame that the rand crashed and SA got into trouble for sure though.

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BB 3 hours ago

NB 4 hours ago

With France sending a slightly under strength team, having the Boks twice at home and Ireland in the USA rather than at the Aviva, its not inconceivable the ABs could go Undefeated in 2025. The schedule is more favourable than 2024 and they will improve. It's a huge ask, but it's not completely out of the question.

YeowNotEven 4 hours ago

Agreed. He hasn’t transferred the dominance of one level to the next. He will be a weapon when he does though.

SC 5 hours ago

Finau looks great in Super Rugby regular season matches the past two seasons, especially against Australian clubs. But in the SRP Finals and Test rugby against big nasty forwards his own size, he has been found wanting in both 2023 and 2024.

POHM 5 hours ago

And the chiefs are so successful! The only limitations Mckenzie has are self inflicted.

Icefarrow 6 hours ago

McKenzie is being limited by a coach who downright refuses to develop a new and innovative play style. The reason he plays so well for the Chiefs, is because unlike Razor, McMillan knows how to create a gameplan that works to his strengths.

Robertson wants Mounga back because he's the only one who can play the way he wants. This kind of limited, narrow minded thinking is exactly why the All Blacks have gone backwards from last year.

Asher Opoku-Fordjour: 'You want to be the one that dominates'

fl 8 hours ago

Can we please have an article about Opoku-Fordjour that doesn't mention Marler?

1) it's just boring. It's every article about him. Tell us something new.

2) the fact that Marler said nice things about him isn't especially surprising. Opoku-Fordjour had already established himself as a really exciting prospect at the u20 world cup, and in the weeks following Marler's endorsement many people made similar observations.

3) the content of Marler's remarks wasn't especially interesting either. He basically just said that Opoku-Fordjour was good. That's not a level of analysis that anyone will find remotely enlightening.

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Loosehead 8 hours ago

Asher Opoku-Fordjour: 'You want to be the one that dominates'

Best of luck to the yung fella.the anchor of the scrum.🙂

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Lewis Gend 8 hours ago

Pau vs Vannes | Live & Latest Rugby Union Scores & Results | RugbyPass

🤝

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SR 9 hours ago

World Rugby U20 Championship: The RugbyPass team of the tournament

Ridiculous that neither of the kiwi locks were named in the semi against France this was the only area NZ dominated. They were immense.

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SC 10 hours ago

The following players need to be dropped in 2025: Papilii, Blackadder, Jacobson, ALB, Havili, Reese, Tele’a, and Perofeta.

All are in their late 20s or older and have proven in 2024 they are simply not good enough to be a quality test starter. It is shocking how BOTH Reese and Tele’a have lost their pace. Tele’a is a shell of the player he was in 2023. Perofeta has never fulfilled his promise as either a 10 or 15. This generation’s Isaiah Toeava.

Have no clue who should replace these players at this time but confident that new players will step up in Super Rugby.

Toulouse player ratings vs Exeter Chiefs | Investec Champions Cup

NK 10 hours ago

"Barrett out of position" is a strange thing to say when overall he has played more games at 15 than at 12. I agree with the statement you made in your first comment - he's a great addition and Leinster's attack will be better with him.

Regarding ST's defence - they have conceded the fewest in the Top14 this season.

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SC 10 hours ago

Surely you are referring to Damian McKenzie.