u/Booomfaa

I’m not making this post to hate on Reiko - I’m as happy as anyone that he appears more lively than he has been - but I can’t help but feel as though everyone is jumping on the hype train / getting overly excited?

I’m seeing shouts that he’s back to his old self, he’s a reinvented player, he should be back in the test 23, claims that he should be starting etc. etc.

I don’t understand it? I don’t think he’s been that amazing. He looked threatening against the Stormers off a few touches, as you’d expect your winger to be, but so did Carter on the other wing and Fehi, Moorby and Clarke in the other matches.

Against the Bulls I don’t think he was that good necessarily? He dropped a kickoff, got smashed on another, and did nothing that impressive otherwise? He made a few simple passes and put the ball down for a try but didn’t have any touches that otherwise raised eyebrows.

Is it nostalgia? People wanting the Reiko of 2018 and salivating when they think they’ve seen a glimpse of it? Or are we so used to his lack of impact and skillset that when he makes a good run or completes a pass we think he’s Tana Umaga reincarnate?

For me putting Reiko in the test team at centre would be a disaster given the quick passing game we’re trying to play. He could do a job on the wing but current Reiko has not got the attacking attributes of a Fehi, a Carter or a Moorby.

Maybe at 23? But even then one of the aforementioned would be more useful imo.

For the Saffa tour squad.

Drop your predictions below.

Personally I’d go with:

1. Bell
2. Norris
3. Tu’ungafasi
4. Hannah
5. Holland
6. Kirifi
7. Hotham
8. Tavatavanawai
9. Ioane
10. Hutchinson

Hi, I have a growing interest in AI.

I am also looking to more into the field within my workplace (large Bank).

However, although I use AI all the time, my knowledge of the field is very surface level.

I want to find a YouTuber who I can learn off.

For those in the know, who are the best creators in the AI education space on YouTube?

Alternatively, are there any particular videos, series or resources you could recommend?

Cheers

Looking for recommendations for good new music. Any genres. Give me some heat

I have 92k in Sharesies, basically all in the S&P 500. Been putting in consistently for 5 years. Figured this would be a sensible way to build wealth long term.

I’m a bit of a noob with investing though. I don’t know much else about it.

I recently learned about the FIF tax and realised that I’m well above the $50k threshold and so probably have a bit of tax to pay.

I’m not sure what to do moving forward with my invested money - I like the steady returns of the S&P 500 so would ideally like to stay in it, but I obviously don’t want to be paying higher tax amounts if I can avoid it.

AI tells me the I might be able to do something like a PIE fund??? But I don’t really understand it.

Not too sure about any of this tbh, wonder if anyone might be able to provide some wisdom

If the Hurricanes played the rest of the Super Rugby teams combined XV, who would win? (Currently available players only…)

So, the Canes team from the final, vs

1. De Groot
2. Taukeiaho
3. Newell
4. Vai’i
5. Lord
6. Parker
7. Segner
8. Sititi
9. Ratima
10. Barrett
11. Clarke
12. Tavatavanawai
13. Tupaea
14. Carter
15. McKenzie

Or maybe the better question is how much would the Canes win by…

I’m assuming that Rennie will select 6 loose forwards in his squad (with the likes of Vai’i and Faianganuku sure to be selected in other positions but also capable of covering Loosies).

To me it seems that Savea, Lakai and Sititi (injury permitting) are the only garunteed picks.

Outside of that it’s tough. There are lots of options and lots of things to consider (form, positions covered, size, impact etc.)

What do you think our loose forward mix should be?

Personally I’d go Savea, Lakai, Sititi, Kirifi, Segner and Blackadder.

Kirifi - too good at what he does to ignore. Breakdown and tackle specialist, super high energy and work rate, and actually a very effective ball carrier. Could be a great impact sub and slots straight into 7 if required through injury. While he only plays 7 that it doesn’t matter given the versatility of the rest of the Loosie’s.

Segner - Full package right now and deserves his shot. A great lineout option which this mix otherwise lacks a bit. Huge workrate, too hard to ignore for me.

Blackadder - probably the one most wouldn’t agree with but for me he’s just too good not to pick now that he’s fit (touch wood). His repeated efforts are second to none, his tackling is immense, he’s a big man and has a very good rugby IQ which I think is underrated by many.

Some might argue that this mix lacks size, but I think the perceived lack of size is more than made up for in other areas. Also, Blackadder and Segner are not small man at all. The likes of Parker and Finau just simply aren’t good enough to warrant selection purely based on their size imo.

It’s a tough one though. Thoughts?

This is my view on who has been the form player in super rugby in each respective position. Let me know your thoughts.

On a side note, the upcoming grand final has all the makings of an absolute classic!

1. ⁠De Groot - Solid as a rock up front in a struggling side

2. ⁠Taukeiaho - Been an absolute monster all year

3. ⁠Newell - Consistently outstanding season.

4. ⁠Dearns - Man what a player. One of the very best players in the comp this year, huge impact.

5. ⁠Darry - Led from the front valiantly. Very strong season.

6. ⁠Segner - Breakout season, he was into everything.

7. ⁠Lakai - has been brilliant from the jump, never puts in a subpar performance. Leicester’s freakish few games at 7 deserve a mention.

8. Cale - was the form player in the comp up until his very unfortunate injury.

9. Roigard - He’s just too good. Hotham had a very impressive year too though

10. Love - breakout season, he’s done everything right

11. Fineanganofo - Electric, record breaking season

12. Tupaea - Player of the year for me. He’s been monumental for the Chiefs.

13. Proctor - Mr consistent. He just always does the right thing.

14. Jorgensen - Lit it up early on and remained very good throughout.

15. Moorby - an unexpectedly fantastic season. Played a lot at 14 too, him and Jorgensen are interchangeable in this side.

Who did I miss? Let me know your thoughts.

Predicting the squad, keeping in mind who will be available come July. This is who I’d like to see.

Props:
De Groot,
Lomax
Newell
Norris
Tosi
Numia

Hooker:
Taukeiaho
Taylor
Aumua

Locks:
Vai’i
Barrett
Lord
Darry

Loosies:
Savea
Sititi
Lakai
Kirifi
Segner

Halfbacks:
Roigard
Hotham
Ratima

First Fives:
Love
McKenzie
Barrett

Centres:
Barrett
Tupaea
Faianganuku
Proctor
Tavatavanawai

Outsides:
Jordan
Clarke
Tangitau
Carter

Would’ve made it if available:
Williams
Holland
Pledger
Finianganofo

I wouldn’t be surprised if ALB makes it and I wouldn’t be mad at it given we are a bit light in the 13 position and I still think ALB is a good player.

On the contrary, I would be both surprised and disappointed if Ioane makes it, even as a winger. He’s just not good enough anymore.

Speaking of wingers, I can’t remember a bigger loss of potential at the wrong time than Finianganofo. This guy is a freak and hitting absolute prime form. If he wasn’t leaving he’d be starting for me and a potential World Cup star next year… oh well.

Both Holland and Pledger showed me enough last year that, if fit, I’m confident they both be there this year (which would mean Darry and Ratima missing out - Ratima has been badly out of form)

Segner is probably the biggest surprise pick - I just think his form has been too good - he’s super busy, athletic and is young. But there are a number of good options here.

Also, it’s worth noting that while I’ve listed 5 centers, 4 outsides, 5 loosies etc. just keep in mind what other positions people play

Based on this squad, this is the 23 I’d go with:

1. De Groot

2. Taukeiaho

3. Lomax

4. Barrett

5. Vai’i

6. Sititi

7. Savea (C)

8. Lakai

9. Roigard

10. Love

11. Clarke

12. Barrett

13. Tupaea

14. Tangitau

15. Jordan

16. Taylor

17. Norris

18. Newell

19. Lord

20. Kirifi

21. Hotham

22. McKenzie

23. Faianganuku

Thoughts?