Super Rugby News
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="597744" data-time="1468799795"><p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Crusaders </strong>travelling squad:</span></span><br><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial;">FORWARDS:</span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Wyatt Crockett, Alex Hodgman, Mike Alaalatoa, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Ben Funnell, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Scott Barrett, Jimmy Tupou, Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Kieran Read (C).</span></span><br><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial;">BACKS:</span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Andy Ellis, Mitchell Drummond, Leon Fukofuka, Richie Moâ€
unga, David Havilli, Kieron Fonotia, Jone Macilai, Johnny McNicholl, Ben Volavola, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Jack Goodhue.</span></span><br><br><a class="bbc_url" href="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/rugby/ellis-and-whitelock-included-in-crusaders-squad-take-lions">https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/rugby/ellis-and-whitelock-included-in-crusaders-squad-take-lions</a><br><br>
Edit to add:<br><br><br>
Biggest names missing: Joe Moody & Nemani Nadolo<br><br>
Also not named: Tim Boys, Marty McKenzie (both still in the injury ward?), Mitchell Hunt, Ged Robinson - just to name a few. Is Hunt injured?<br><br>
They're taking 3 halfbacks, so maybe Ellis not completely over his injury?<br><br>
I'm mostly surprised by Jack Goodhue's inclusion in the squad. Has he played at all for the Crusaders (except for preseason/warm-up matches)? He's a midfielder, isn't he? Looks like they're running out of backs at the Crusaders.</p></blockquote>
Only 4 loosies travelling. And that's if you count Tupou. And only one openside. Can Barrett cover 6? -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="597956" data-time="1468863138">
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<p>Only 4 loosies travelling. And that's if you count Tupou. And only one openside. Can Barrett cover 6?</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>I'm sure he could if he had to.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Apparently Ellis is only 70/30 to play, so they've had to take three halfbacks.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I guess you're limited in how many players you're allowed to take for a one off game - e.g. only six front rowers, so if someone is injured during the week presumably you are one short on the bench and go to golden oldies if your starter gets broken.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Toddy might be well advised to have packed a hammer to use on Alaalatoa's leg on Friday afternoon! :)</p> -
<p>Basically, that Crusaders travelling squad is their 23 + 2.</p>
<p>Nothing unusual in the forwards.</p>
<p>Tupou on the bench, both covering lock and 6 (maybe 8), unless Taufua hasn't completely recovered yet, in which case he'll be on the bench and Tupou starting at 6 (not for the first time this season). Taufua can play both 6 and 8. I think Read can play 7 in case of injury to Todd?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The +2 are both backs: Leon Fukofuka (clearly included because Ellis isn't 100% yet) and Jack Goodhue (and not Hunt or Wainui).</p>
<p>Johnny McNicholl had some injury concerns at the end of the match on Saturday (one of his fingers?), so that may be the reason for Goodhue's inclusion, unless one of the midfielders picked up a minor injury (hopefully not Crotty).</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="597956" data-time="1468863138">
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<p>Only 4 loosies travelling. And that's if you count Tupou. And only one openside. Can Barrett cover 6?</p>
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</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Watched him play 6 for lincoln a few weeks ago whilst the test match break was on.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Wondered to myself if that may be his best chance for higher honours as I'm of the opinion he's not big enough to be a frontline test lock.</p> -
<p>The officials for the QFs have been named. Put all your money on the Canes in their game. :)</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Match </strong> No.136:Brumbies v Highlanders<br><strong>Date :</strong> Friday 22 July 2016<br><strong>Venue </strong> : GIO Stadium, Canberra<br><strong>Kick Off local</strong>: 18:00 local<br><strong>Referee</strong>: Angus Gardner<br><strong>Assistant Ref 1</strong>:Ben Oâ€Keeffe<br><strong>Assistant Ref 2</strong>:Nic Berry<br><strong>TMO</strong> : George Ayoub</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Match </strong> No.137:Hurricanes v Sharks<br><strong>Date :</strong> Saturday 23 July 2016<br><strong>Venue </strong> : Westpac Stadium, Wellington<br><strong>Kick Off local</strong>: 19:35 local<br><strong>Referee</strong>: Glen Jackson<br><strong>Assistant Ref 1</strong>:Nick Briant<br><strong>Assistant Ref 2</strong>:Paul Williams<br><strong>TMO</strong> : Glenn Newman</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Match </strong> No.138:Lions v Crusaders<br><strong>Date :</strong> Saturday 23 July 2016<br><strong>Venue </strong> : Emirates Airlines Park, Johannesburg<br><strong>Kick Off local</strong>: 16:30 local<br><strong>Referee</strong>: Craig Joubert<br><strong>Assistant Ref 1</strong>: Marius van der Westhuizen<br><strong>Assistant Ref 2</strong>:Rasta Rasivhenge<br><strong>TMO</strong> : Marius Jonker</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Match </strong> No.139:Stormers v Chiefs<br><strong>Date :</strong> Saturday 23 July 2016<br><strong>Venue </strong> : DHL Newlands, Cape Town<br><strong>Kick Off local</strong>: 19:00 local<br><strong>Referee</strong>: Jaco Peyper<br><strong>Assistant Ref 1</strong>:Jaco van Heerden<br><strong>Assistant Ref 2</strong>: AJ Jacobs<br><strong>TMO</strong> : Johan Greeff</p> -
<p>1 Brum/Hurr/Lions/Storm 13.00 </p>
<p>2 Brum/Hurr/Lions/Chfs 8.50 </p>
<p>3 Brum/Hurr/Crus/Storm 13.00 </p>
<p>4 Brum/Hurr/Crus/Chfs 9.00 </p>
<p>5 Brum/Shark/Lions/Storm 51.00 </p>
<p>6 Brum/Shark/Lions/Chfs 36.00 </p>
<p>7 Brum/Shark/Crus/Storm 51.00 </p>
<p>8 Brum/Shark/Crus/Chfs 36.00 </p>
<p>9 High/Hurr/Lions/Storm 7.50 </p>
<p><u><strong>10</strong></u> <u><strong>High/Hurr/Lions/Chfs</strong></u> <u><strong>5.25</strong></u> Favorite result</p>
<p>11 High/Hurr/Crus/Storm 8.00 </p>
<p>12 <strong><u>High/Hurr/Crus/Chfs</u></strong> <strong><u>5.50</u></strong> All Kiwi result</p>
<p>13 High/Shark/Lions/Storm 36.00 </p>
<p>14 High/Shark/Lions/Chfs 21.00 </p>
<p>15 High/Shark/Crus/Storm 31.00 </p>
<p>16 High/Shark/Crus/Chfs 21.00<br>
</p> -
<p>Jone Macilai has re-signed with the Crusaders for two more years</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://crusaders.co.nz/news/1000-macilai-re-signs-with-bnz-crusaders'>http://crusaders.co.nz/news/1000-macilai-re-signs-with-bnz-crusaders</a></p> -
Hall and Macilai so far. Yay.
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<p>I have a theory about the signing of Hall, based on no facts whatsoever. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you want the country's best halfbacks playing for 5 different franchises to give them all a maximum opportunity of playing, then one of Weber or TKB will have to move (unless one of the others is moving, too).</p>
<p>Hall has been signed for one year. Weber and TKB are both coming off contract in 2017, too.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm not sure whether Perenara has already been signed beyond 2016, but moving one of Weber and TKB makes sense from a NZRU point of view. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="598557" data-time="1469088551">
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<p>So who is leaving? Nadolo, Mcnicol, Fonotia, Ellis. What is happening with Fruen? Is he likely to be back ever?<br><br>
Definitely some holes to fill. I guess Goodhue has been groomed as a longterm midfielder. Still a couple of wings short.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Fruean is the biggest question mark in NZ rugby. Not even sure he has a Mitre10 Cup contract (may, or may not, return in the Magpies squad). Feel really sorry for the guy; plenty of talent, but unable to showcase it due to poor health.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I wouldn't be surprised if the Crusaders lock in the youngest Barrett (as well as Goodhue). They'll also need to add more experienced players, but not sure who are off contract. If they import a player similar to Nadolo, I don't mind them getting in a player from abroad.</p>
<p>In NZ, they may be looking at the Highlanders stocks. After signing Li, my guess is that one of their outside backs will be leaving to get game time. Tongia? Wilson?</p>
<p>Next level is Mitre 10 Cup level. I only know which Magpies backs will be looking for contracts: Mason Emerson, Jonah Lowe, Billy Ropiha (maybe). I don't see the Crusaders signing Guildford again, which - as in the case of Fruean - is kind of sad, too.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="598557" data-time="1469088551"><p>So who is leaving? Nadolo, Mcnicol, Fonotia, Ellis. What is happening with Fruen? Is he likely to be back ever? <br><br>
Definitely some holes to fill. I guess Goodhue has been groomed as a longterm midfielder. Still a couple of wings short.</p></blockquote>
Also Jimmy Tupou is leaving<br><br><br>
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="598575" data-time="1469092382">
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<p>Unfortunately he's waaaay better than the other options we currently have.</p>
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<p>I think Chris Eaton will be available if you need some back up.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="598557" data-time="1469088551">
<div>
<p>So who is leaving? Nadolo, Mcnicol, Fonotia, Ellis. What is happening with Fruen? Is he likely to be back ever?<br><br>
Definitely some holes to fill. I guess Goodhue has been groomed as a longterm midfielder. Still a couple of wings short.</p>
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</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I think Goodhue would have been there this year but injury got in the way.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>By all accounts Barrett has been playing exceptionally well in club rugby so there's another midfielder.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm actually going to watch Lincoln play tomorrow, so I hope he's playing. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Tupou is no great loss, lacks size and aggression. Tana can have him.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="598666" data-time="1469139254">
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<p>I think Goodhue would have been there this year but injury got in the way.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>By all accounts Barrett has been playing exceptionally well in club rugby so there's another midfielder.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm actually going to watch Lincoln play tomorrow, so I hope he's playing. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Tupou is no great loss, lacks size and aggression. Tana can have him.</strong></p>
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<p>I've always liked Tupou, I look forward to him reaching his potential under Tana. ;)</p>
