Super Rugby News

[gt12]

@stargazer

That article really looks like a direct threat at the Sunwolves. Post 2019, they don’t serve much purpose, so 2018 is a key year for them. I personally don’t think they add much, and I live in Tokyo!

[Tim]

Anyone know when Super Rugby squads are announced this year? IIRC, it's usually at the end of October.

[Stargazer]

@tim I remember the date of 1 November. Not 100% sure.

[taniwharugby]

@tim thursday....oh wrong thread, sorry

[Tim]

Right, who has rumours or inside knowledge about the Super squads? There's been very little news of signings over the Mitre 10 Cup season.

[Stargazer]

@tim There have been articles with updates about the Chiefs and Crusaders squads - posted earlier in this thread - but not about Blues, Hurricanes and Highlanders. The latest official announcement - as far as I know - was the re-singing of Buckman, although this tweet from the Canes reveals another signing (without saying so): Fidow.

[pukunui]

Is Fidow the prop they are "developing" but have signed the Wallabies prop as cover until he is ready?

[Stargazer]

@pukunui They never named him in the same context, but I'm afraid you're right.

[pukunui]

Why don't people rate him? I haven't seen much of him but from what ive seen he looks good with ball in hand. is it his core roles people don't rate him on?

[Kiwidom]

Otago half back Jonathan Ruru has signed a one year contract with the Blues

[taniwharugby]

@kiwidom so does that mean Guyton or Pulu are gone, or are they carrying 4 9s?

Pulu, Guyton, Nock, Ruru

[Kiwidom]

@taniwharugby Guyton has not been offered a new contract apparently. Happy for Ruru as I think he is a talented 9 who deserves a chance at a higher level

[KiwiMurph]

@taniwharugby yeah Guyton is out. Not surprising as he declined this year in Super Rugby. Was hoping for Enari but Ruru has been good at NPC level and is more ready to play right now. What Blues really need is Nock to take the next step and become starter.

[Duluth]

@kiwimurph said in Super Rugby News:

What Blues really need is Nock to take the next step and become starter.

He's been good recently.. there are signs he is ready to start.

Unfortunately I think Umaga will keep selecting Pulu regardless of form

[taniwharugby]

@duluth I think the key to that is he has now had a decent run without being injured.

[Duluth]

@taniwharugby said in Super Rugby News:

I think the key to that is he has now had a decent run without being injured.

Definitely. Also it looks like he's put some work into his kicking game which was abysmal. The speed he clears the ball is a lot better.. etc etc

The gap between his form and his schoolboy hype is closing

[taniwharugby]

@Duluth I'd still like him to run it a little more though, which he did v HB, but expect this all comes back to confidence too.

Yeah prior to the HB game they showed his kicking/passing stats v Webbers and Nocks numbers were huge.

[Stargazer]

[Stargazer]

Otere Black's Blues season is over before it has even begun, with the Manawatū first five-eighth out for six to nine months.

Black, 22, has a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, which he picked up in the Manawatū Turbos' 46-25 loss to Taranaki in New Plymouth on Wednesday night.

The first five-eighth was on crutches with ice strapped to his knee after the match, but scan results revealed on Friday a ruptured ACL.

It is hoped he will be back for next year's national provincial championship, but it should rule him out for the entire Super Rugby campaign.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/97872041/turbos-and-blues-first-fiveeighth-otere-black-staring-at-long-stint-on-sidelines

[Tim]

God damn it.

I wonder who the replacement 1st 5 will be?