StartwideExpandfurther

@insiderugbymark Raiding the islands of their best players.

The Growing Polynesian Influence in the All Blacks. A Remarkable 20 Year Story I have been doing some research and it's an interesting story. Twenty five years ago, the All Blacks squad looked very different. In 1999, there were just 6 Pasifika players in the squad. By 2003 it had risen to 9, then 11 in 2007. The numbers fluctuated a little, but the direction was clear. Fast forward to the 2020s, and the change is striking. In 2024, 14 out of 32 All Blacks players (44%) had Pacific Island heritage. NZ Rugby’s latest Pasifika Strategy reports that 38% of contracted All Blacks and All Blacks Sevens players now identify as Pasifika, a figure far above their 8% share of the New Zealand population. This isn’t a sudden spike. It’s the result of a steady, powerful trend that began in the professional era and has accelerated since the late 1990s. Pasifika talent has become a cornerstone of New Zealand rugby, not just at the top level, but right through Super Rugby, provincial, and community grades. Māori players, of course, have been central to All Blacks history since the very beginning, from the 1888 Native team right through to today. The Māori All Blacks have long served as a proud talent pathway, with many progressing to the senior side. When you combine the deep, longstanding Māori whakapapa with the rapidly growing Pasifika representation, the Polynesian influence in the All Blacks is now stronger than it has ever been. It’s a story of talent, culture, family, faith, and opportunity coming together on the world’s biggest stage. #allblacks #pasifika #maori

@DummySwitchPod Is this is the same account that backed Giovanni Lombard over Chris Smith 🫠

We still have JF van Heerden..

@SkyNews You’ll do NOTHING. WEAK.

'To President Putin, I say, we see you. We see your activity over our cables and pipelines. You should know that any attempt to damage them will not be tolerated and will have serious consequences.' John Healey says the UK has detected 'increased Russian activity in the Atlantic'

@Telegraph Starmer and Britain is WEAK. Put Zelensky in charge, he’d sink that invader immediately.

EXCLUSIVE: Vladimir Putin has openly defied Sir Keir Starmer’s threat to seize sanctioned Russian vessels by sending a warship to escort them through the Channel. But just how many Russian ships have been through British waters? ⬇️ telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/04/0…

@Newzroom405 Correct! It’s a ridiculous bonehead song sung by savages and any one who supports it should be sent to prison.

[WATCH] US Ambassador to SA Leo Brent Bozell III on his remarks about the 'Kill the Boer' chant: "The position of my country is that it's wrong, the position of a civilised world is that it's hate speech. Judges can be wrong." #Newzroom405

@ChalynRugby NZ been raiding the islands for generations. As bad as Ireland.

Could have played for All blacks. SMH #Rugby

@PlanetRugby His knees are in the ‘field of play’ there no? They were on or behind the line initially but he then moves beyond it which then makes it illegal?

Law discussion: Were the Stormers really hard done by with a 'dreadful' referee decision? #Echobox=1775649281" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">planetrugby.com/news/law-discu…

@AFromTheB Well he’s imprpved his chances of progressing beyond the QF next year now, mind.

@CianTracey1 Lacks ambition. Glad we swerved.

‘I’m locked in’ – Prop Massimo De Lutiis ends Irish interest by signing new deal to remain at home in Australia independent.ie/sport/rugby/im…

@thepaulwilliams Irish scouts penning contracts as we speak

W in f is that thing

Here's the average fan numbers in each country after another round of EPCR games for clubs in URC and Premiership.

@MbalulaFikile Imagine whites never came to SA. You’d still be living in a mud hut, umfana.

The 6th of April marks the arrival of Jan van Riebeek 1652, and the beginning of settler colonialism which was later consolidated through wars of conquest, which our forefathers fought and sacrificed their lives, resisting for centuries, the brutal dispossession of our people, until the creation of the Union of South Africa, May 31st, 1910. The creation of the Union of South Africa was a settlement between the British and Dutch colonial forces post the Anglo-Boer War, for foster white solidarity and to the complete exclusion of the natives, the African masses of our people. The struggle against forgetting is a foundational and navigational principle for any genuine liberation struggle. Lest we forget!

@ChalynRugby Imagine supporting a woman beater. That’s on you and NZ rugby.

For people asked me why South Africans flying into my post about Shannon Frizell just to spread hate. Explained in 1 minute and 57 seconds. Enjoy #Springboks #Allblacks #Rugby

@Maguined @rugby_ap @rekoil92 Yeah you’re right, I was being a bit lazy there. It’s more the English and French. The English media are the worst for it.

@LD151 @rugby_ap @rekoil92 It's not a NH thing, it is an English Prem thing. Before the SA sides were even in the competition they would complain about URC sides sending weakened squads (never the French) but when they did it they said it was tactical rotations.

Not seeing a huge amount (anything) said about Leicester sending a changed side to their knockout game. Wonder why that is? Thought all the commentariat and journos were very very sensitive to this sort of DISRESPECT. Reaction should be any moment now…

@rugby_ap They’d be a tiedt not to.

If Leinster don’t extend Nienaber’s contract then the Bulls should do everything they can to get him in as DOR. Ackermann can stay as head coach or preferably make the move to forwards coach. Nienaber can guide Tiedt on defence. Can’t see it happening but would be our best option

@HamSolo26157584 @SimonBorchardt Yeah I don’t disagree with you there. They’re known for it. But our teams have got to be better and rise above that.

@LD151 @SimonBorchardt "Remember Dublin against Ireland in November." Ireland's cheating, which prevent several tries made a mockery of the game.

Stormers got screwed by the ref/match officials, but felt they went for the tryline too soon in that last attack and perhaps should have considered a drop goal (although you can understand why they backed themselves to score a try with 15 vs 13). sarugbymag.co.za/sacha-i-couldv…

South Africans. Lock up your children!

@frankieTay35800 @mangorugby If my national team was playing club rugby I’d be underwhelmed with that conversion rate.

@LD151 @mangorugby Exactly a team who have made 8 finals in last 17 years. Dreamers.

I would love so much to find out the location of the people who’ve already bought their Champions Cup final tickets so we can pin down exactly who has the cockiest fans in Europe