Crusaders 2018
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@sammyc said in Crusaders 2018:
@nepia said in Crusaders 2018:
@sammyc said in Crusaders 2018:
@nepia said in Crusaders 2018:
Also, the discussion about overseas players in NZ is not just limited to this thread, it's a bit of a hot topic, we're not going to avoid discussing the Crusaders role in this because some of you guys can't handle criticism of Crusaders/Canterbury even if other franchises (e.g the Chiefs) are getting the same criticism.
Again you try to make an argument that doesn't exist.....
I can definitely handle criticism of the Crusaders...... I'm pretty sure I was one of their biggest critics on here during the Blackadder years. I was constantly calling for Blackadder and Riach to be fired, I also (very much wrongly) gave frank and honest opinions about my lack of faith in the Robertson appointment .
Can I make myself any clearer... I'm talking about Oli Jager. I think his case, for reasons posted above, is different to the other players you keep mentioning to make your point.
Ok, if you want to just solely focus on Jager and pretend that this discussion hasn't been fluid, then - personally, I still think he shouldn't be eligible for NZ squads. If he declares fullstop he's only going to play for NZ then there's no reason not to pick him I guess (even if I don't agree with that policy) but if he returns to the NH then we've wasted spots for locals, locals who have contributed to the local rugby community and were also born or grew up here. As gt12 stated early on he could turn out to be a bad investment for NZ rugby.
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@cantab79 said in Crusaders 2018:
People can criticise the make-up of the Crusaders squad all they like. The reality is that the Crusaders are operating within the NZRU rules, so if posters have an issue with too many foreign players they should take it up with the NZRU. And if people are genuinely worried about foreign players impacting negatively on our depth then it really doesn't matter whether they are 1st tier or 2nd tier eligible. Also, it's a bit rich people moaning about two Crusaders props being ineligible (Jager and Ala'alatoa) when you consider how many test props we've developed. If you include Tim Perry who came into the AB squad as injury cover, there have been four Crusaders props involved in this year's Rugby Championship for the All Blacks. And a 5th, Nepo Laulala, spent years developing his craft with Canterbury and the Crusaders academy as well. We're certainly doing our bit in terms of developing props.
AC, I think you'll find people have issue with the rules that allows them to pick up multiple foreigners - and that applies across the board for all franchises.
I think it's fine to draw a distinction between tier 1 and tier 2, but the tier 2 places should be limited. Imagine if the Wallabies had unleashed Nadolo on us after his stand out performances for the Crusaders. (Thankfully while the Wallabies will pick up any Fijian wingers they stumble across in either code they luckily for us missed their home grown one).
Your props point is a good one, we don't want that pathway drying up because local props are blocked by foreign props. You know the Crusaders job is to develop tight forwards and (a the odd 10) to get ball for the rest of the franchise's backs.
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@cantab79 said in Crusaders 2018:
People can criticise the make-up of the Crusaders squad all they like. The reality is that the Crusaders are operating within the NZRU rules, so if posters have an issue with too many foreign players they should take it up with the NZRU.
Nah. I'll just whinge about it here.
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So, Jed Brown is going to be out for most of the Super season. I was thinking he should be signed as openside cover for Todd and Samu, but I don't think he's crucial enough to warrant signing injured.
Other "in-region" options seem like Manawatu's Bedwell-Curtis (though seemed like he got used more at 6 than 7?); Vern Fredericks (he's playing 7 for the Mako$ this year, but that's a new development - he's more an 8/6 to my mind); Billy Harmon; Ethan Blackadder.
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Not sure I like the idea of Delaney hogging a spot in the squad for the entire season. I'd have thought Tim Bateman would do just as good a job as an injury crisis 10 in a one-off week.
If Mo'unga or Hunt were to be injured for longer than that, then you call in Delaney or Breen or Christie to the squad.
I'd hate to see us lose Will Jordan or Josh McKay just so that Delaney can play club rugby in Christchurch at the Crusaders' expense.
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Blues should have taken Delaney after black went down
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@muddyriver Maybe they'll get Beaver?
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If Delaney is going to the Crusaders and Marty McKenzie is available he would be a reasonable option to replace Black.
He has a good combination with Perofeta at Taranaki where they swap between 10 & 15. The Blues could copy that and not use Collins..
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@kiwimurph probably be a good guy to have to mentor the young guys...otherwise is a lot of inexperience in that inside channel at the Blues.
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@taniwharugby I personally think that is overrated. The Blues 10s need game time to develop. Blues had similar thoughts when they signed Jimmy Cowan a few years back on the back of strong Mitre 10 Cup form - that didn't work.
Anyway back to the thread - Crusaders look like they will have a very settled and deep squad. They could be a real chance at the first repeat Super titles since the Chiefs of 2012-13.
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@kiwimurph What will probably hurt the Crusaders most is the unavailability of Moody and Franks until some time in May (and to a lesser extent Dagg's injury). Crockett and Ala'alato are fine replacements; I'm not so sure about the players who take their spots on the bench though.
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@kiwimurph fair enough...I wasn't meaning specifically at 10 either, if Pulu and/or SBW aren't there you end up with a very inexperienced 9/10/12 axis.
Having someone in the background is always a good thing, Dan Bowden said playing alongside Holwell was invaluable for him (years ago) and his learning (given Bowden saw himself more as a 10)
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@stargazer said in Crusaders 2018:
@kiwimurph What will probably hurt the Crusaders most is the unavailability of Moody and Franks until some time in May (and to a lesser extent Dagg's injury). Crockett and Ala'alato are fine replacements; I'm not so sure about the players who take their spots on the bench though.
Apparently Ollie Jager is pretty good ...
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The Crusaders squad for 2018 has been announced. I have added the position where I think they'll most likely to play, even though they may officially also be capable of playing in other positions:
CRUSADERS SQUAD
PROPS
Michael Alaalatoa
Wyatt Crockett
Owen Franks
Oliver Jager
Joe Moody
Tim PerryHOOKERS
Ben Funnell
Andrew Makalio
Codie TaylorLOCKS
Scott Barrett
Luke Romano
Quinten Strange
Sam WhitelockLOOSE FORWARDS
Ethan Blackadder
Mitchell Dunshea
Billy Harmon
Kieran Read
Pete Samu
Tom Sanders
Jordan Taufua
Matt ToddHALFBACKS
Mitchell Drummond
Bryn Hall
Jack StrattonFIRST FIVE-EIGHTHS
Mike Delany
Mitchell Hunt
Richie Mo'ungaMIDFIELD BACKS
Tim Bateman
Ryan Crotty
Jack GoodhueOUTSIDE BACKS
George Bridge
Israel Dagg
Braydon Ennor
David Havili
Will Jordan
Jone Macilai
Manasa Mataele
Seta TamanivaluJed Brown (injured)
Ethan Blackadder
Heiden Bedwell-Curtis Billy Harmon
Leon Fukofuka Ere Enari (injured) Jack Stratton
Marty McKenzie Mike Delaney
Sean Wainui, Sione Fifita, Digby Ioane Braydon Ennor, Will Jordanhttp://crusaders.co.nz/news/1158-seven-new-names-in-2018-bnz-crusaders-squad
