Super Rugby News
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Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd admitted he was stunned by Julian Savea's physique when he returned ahead of the new season.
Savea, who was criticised for not being in shape ahead of 2016, was praised by Boyd for how he has looked after himself over Christmas.
"The first thing I said to him was 'Mate, you're a different person'," the 'Canes boss told NZ Newswire about how Savea looked last week.
"He's certainly physically very different than he was this time last year.
"I think in himself, he's much more chipper as well."
Savea has scored 45 tries in his 52 international matches and with a busy year of rugby that includes the British and Irish Lions tour, the Hurricane could well overtake Doug Howlett (49) as New Zealand's top try-scorer.
And Boyd believes they will see the best of their winger from the outset this Super Rugby campaign because of the shape he is currently in.
"I know that he wasn't happy with the way the season started or finished for us last year," he added.
"He just wants to play good code. Part of that is that he realises he needs to be in good physical nick to play good footy."
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@Rocky-Rockbottom said in Super Rugby News:
@MN5 said in Super Rugby News:
Rightly or wrongly he'll definitely be there just in time to stir up the Stuff.co.nz comments section that by then will have run out of things to whinge about Trump so will enjoy having him in the spotlight again.
d'uh did someone mention my name....
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@Tim i saw a photo of him in the gym and he looked ripped and huge
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@Crash said in Super Rugby News:
@Rocky-Rockbottom said in Super Rugby News:
@MN5 said in Super Rugby News:
Rightly or wrongly he'll definitely be there just in time to stir up the Stuff.co.nz comments section that by then will have run out of things to whinge about Trump so will enjoy having him in the spotlight again.
d'uh did someone mention my name....
Sympathy upvote for a crap joke at your service
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@mariner4life said in Super Rugby News:
@Tim i saw a photo of him in the gym and he looked ripped and huge
I saw him at Junglerama with his kids. His mobility needed a bit of work but to be fair it is pretty hard for grown ups to move quickly when they're bent over double.
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Patrick T news not good for Blues.
All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu will not report for duty with the Blues Super Rugby franchise next week and will be sidelined indefinitely by an "ongoing personal matter".
Tuipulotu toured the Northern Hemisphere with the national side last November, starting against Ireland in Chicago and then against Italy in Rome but the giant second rower returned home a week early, along with injured flanker Sam Cane and utility back Ben Smith, for what coach Steve Hansen described at the time as "personal reasons".
Since then, all the tourists have been serving a mandatory 12-week stand-down between seasons. They are due back with the Super Rugby franchises next week to begin pre-season training.
New Zealand Rugby Players' Association rep Rob Nichol has confirmed Tuipulotu will not be among them, but would not elaborate any further on the issue.
The Blues referred any further comment on the matter to the Players' Association.
Tuipulotu's management company, WeAreTenzing, through founder Brooke Howard-Smith, refused to comment.
Tuipulotu has been with the Blues since 2014, playing 34 games and scoring five tries.
He made his All Blacks debut that same year, coming on as a substitute in a 28-27 win over England in Dunedin, and has 12 test caps.
His prolonged absence would be a huge blow to Blues coach Tana Umaga in his second year at the helm and hoping to improve on their eight-win, six-loss and one-draw 2016 record, to take them to their first playoff appearance since 2011.
Meanwhile, the Blues are poised to announce an official Super Rugby match in Samoa this year.
It's understood the Blues' scheduled home competition match against the Reds on June 2 will now be played in Apia.
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I know they are entitled to their privacy, but given this became an 'issue' on the EOYT, they should probably put something out to avoid speculation as to what these are.
1 News had Savea on there last night and he did look in pretty good shape, he said he felt mentally better too, hopefully points toward a fit and firing Savea which is good for the 'canes and ABs
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@MN5 said in Super Rugby News:
@Crash said in Super Rugby News:
@Rocky-Rockbottom said in Super Rugby News:
@MN5 said in Super Rugby News:
Rightly or wrongly he'll definitely be there just in time to stir up the Stuff.co.nz comments section that by then will have run out of things to whinge about Trump so will enjoy having him in the spotlight again.
d'uh did someone mention my name....
Sympathy upvote for a crap joke at your service
You of all people should know the politically correct term is "Dad joke".
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@KiwiMurph and you'd think that given the Reds is a Super game and the Lions is, well the Lions, both will be of high importance to play in and win.
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@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby News:
Blues playing a game v Reds in Apia 4 days before the Lions game. That is weird. Youd think with all the travel involved very few players would play in both games.
I think it's five days?
The draw isn't that bad around the Lions match. They play at Eden Park the week before the Reds game too
Date Match Venue Fri 2 Jun vs Reds Apia Wed 7 Jun vs British Lions Eden Park Sat 15 Jun vs Sunwolves Tokyo -
This post is deleted!
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@Wurzel While their is some potential in the Blues locking stocks there is little experience which could be a worry. Scrafton, Nanson, Cowley-Tuioti and Goodhue are all very green to super level and all 24 or younger. I guess Jimmy Tupou will now play more lock after being initially listed as a loose forward, Luatua being another possible option. I came across 'Getty images' Blues head shots for this season and the two locks from outside the squad with photos were Tom Robinson (Northland) and 19 year old Jacob Pierce (Son of All Black Scott) both with potential but there is no help with experience there.
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@Daffy-Jaffy Tom Robinsons father Alistair (also a lock) made the ABs in 1983 too, apparently Tom now holds one of the Blues fitness records after pre-season training, is very good in the air, but he seems to play a bit lightweight (110kg) for super rugby, but he is still young and a professional environment could Sort that....
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Kind of sad about PT.
Hopefully he comes back, looked a real talent.
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@Daffy-Jaffy Is Jacob Pierce son of All Black Murray Pierce or son of not All Black Scott Pierce?
