Hurricanes 2025
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@sparky said in Hurricanes 2025:
It's a bit of a bugger that the Hurricnaes don't have First Five.
Let's hope Godfrey or Cashmore can step up. I can't really see Hohepa getting much game time unless injuries strike and then he can f off for next year and hopefully Harkin can come into the picture.
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@canefan said in Hurricanes 2025:
@sparky said in Hurricanes 2025:
It's a bit of a bugger that the Hurricnaes don't have First Five.
Another season where we have a very good team potentially let down by our first five
Frustrating aye, arguably one of the best we've looked from 1-9 for a long time and then we have pretty average / unproven options at 10. Cashmore might be the perfect guy though, we don't necessarily need someone flashy with Roigard at 9 who will take a lot of pressure off from a decision-making point of view. All Cashmore needs to do is guide the team around the park, something he's been pretty good at for BOP. We've certainly got enough x-factor from 11-15 to call on so it's not all doom and gloom. Injuries will be the undoing of us again though with some worrying options deep in the squad, players that haven't performed after having plenty of time to prove themselves.
If you look at that top 23 above we've had 9 players involved with the ABs this year in some capacity (including Kirifi and Walker-Leawere), we've also had 5 players from that 23 involved in the AB XV setup. (6 if you include Brayden Iose who would have been selected if it wasn't for injury). There's certainly enough experience in that 23 to do the business next year.
I just hope we don't do a Rob Penney, we need to back Cashmore or Godfrey to be our starting 10 and give them a good run in that jersey, instead of chopping and changing every week, that certainly didn't help the Crusader's fortunes last year.
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Interesting to note that the Canes tried signing Moses Leo as well before he signed for the Melbourne Storm.
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I think one real positive for the Canes in 2025 is that we have the two top tight-heads in the country, and one of the most promising (Siale Lauaki) sitting in behind. We know scrummaging has historically been a weakness of Canes footy so at least we look to have the pack that will muscle up to anyone next year.
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The more I think about our 10 situation, I'm pretty keen to give Godfrey the keys to begin the season. Highlights below show that he has huge potential and is worth a punt.
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@Canes4life haha I've said that to my mates in the group chat a few times. Who would have thought the Canes would have the starting AB tighthead and reserve in an AB 23! Good stuff.
Re: Godfrey - yes absolutely agree he should be our 10 based on the current squad. Love to remain at 15.
Cashmore to cover 10 from the pine.
Hohepa you'd think is 3rd choice? He actually has the most Super experience at 10. It would be a very Canes move to have him as the starter.
I'm guessing should any of those 3 go down, they bring Harkin in (he's presumably WTG).
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@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes 2025:
@Canes4life haha I've said that to my mates in the group chat a few times. Who would have thought the Canes would have the starting AB tighthead and reserve in an AB 23! Good stuff.
Re: Godfrey - yes absolutely agree he should be our 10 based on the current squad. Love to remain at 15.
Cashmore to cover 10 from the pine.
Hohepa you'd think is 3rd choice? He actually has the most Super experience at 10. It would be a very Canes move to have him as the starter.
I'm guessing should any of those 3 go down, they bring Harkin in (he's presumably WTG).
Next year will be Godfrey's third year in the squad so he's just as ready as Cashmore to jump in as a starter. Hopefully Laidlaw sees the pecking order the same as us.
I still go back to the Crusaders pre season game from two years ago when Roigard and Godfrey were a combination. The Canes put on a clinic with both of those two players running amuck, playing free-flowing attacking rugby. I think let's chuck him the reigns and see how he performs. Nothing to lose and plenty to gain in my view. If it goes tits up, then we can throw the more reserved Cashmore into that role. Hohepa only if we get a raft of injuries.
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Saw a wee bit on that French « espoir/pépite » tuifua. Will he make the canes WTG do people think?
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@Billy-Tell said in Hurricanes 2025:
Saw a wee bit on that French « espoir/pépite » tuifua. Will he make the canes WTG do people think?
He isn't in the WTG.
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Lol it sounds like some of our WTG players could be better than those signed in the main squad, especially if Harkin is involved as well.
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@Bovidae said in Hurricanes 2025:
@Billy-Tell said in Hurricanes 2025:
Saw a wee bit on that French « espoir/pépite » tuifua. Will he make the canes WTG do people think?
He isn't in the WTG.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360484551/big-future-france-under-20-rugby-star-patrick-tuifua-train
Correct me if I’m wrong but I thought there is the named squads then a WTG for fringe or up and coming players. Who often end up slotting in when injuries occur.
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@Billy-Tell said in Hurricanes 2025:
tuifua
is he a future 6/8?
"The monster 1.91m, 113kg loose forward"
Looks hefty for his age but think "monster" is a little overblown. -
@nostrildamus said in Hurricanes 2025:
@Billy-Tell said in Hurricanes 2025:
tuifua
is he a future 6/8?
"The monster 1.91m, 113kg loose forward"
Looks hefty for his age but think "monster" is a little overblown.That word gets thrown around too much these days. He’s a big boy but unless he looks like Jonah or is big like Will Skelton I wouldn’t call him a monster.
If he’s already 113kg at 20 though he could very easily put another 5kgs on. If he’s 118kg and holds his speed and power, he could very well be a beast.
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@Billy-Tell said in Hurricanes 2025:
Correct me if I’m wrong but I thought there is the named squads then a WTG for fringe or up and coming players. Who often end up slotting in when injuries occur.
Laidlaw explains in the video in that article that Tuifua is only a temporary injury replacement for Iose. That's different to the permanent WTG players, but he will still play in the preseason games.
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@Bovidae said in Hurricanes 2025:
@Billy-Tell said in Hurricanes 2025:
Correct me if I’m wrong but I thought there is the named squads then a WTG for fringe or up and coming players. Who often end up slotting in when injuries occur.
Laidlaw explains in the video in that article that Tuifua is only a temporary injury replacement for Iose. That's different to the permanent WTG players, but he will still play in the preseason games.
He's definitely a player the Canes have their sights on for the future. Laidlaw is right though, why rush him? He's only 20, he's barely played NPC because of injury, throwing him into Super Rugby now could only hurt his chances long term. I think it's the right approach. I'm sure they'll keep him close to the environment and prepare him for what will likely be full contract in 2026.
