Super Rugby 2018
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Blues - Moulds, Josh G, K Pryor, Nock, Tua
Chiefs - Alaimalo
Hurricanes - Douglas
Crusaders - Macilai, Jack G
Highlanders D PryorCongrats to all these guys!!
With Tua and Douglas new to get contracts taking our total to 10, which is surely a record?
Hopefully a few more (Wright, Matich, Bond, Robinson) will get WTG spots too
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@taniwharugby said in Super Rugby 2018:
taking our total to 10, which is surely a record?
That must be a record.
For context consider Waikato. They only have 7 (I'm counting Messam) players in the Chiefs and I don't think many (if any?) in the other squads. A few seasons ago it would have been unthinkable that Northland would have more SR representation than Waikato
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@duluth and TBH I think being a non-franchise base, getting 10 players is probably as good as we can really expect.
Those names I mentioned above, while all would be worthy of a full contract, IMO these are factors why they possibly missed out;
Wright - age, being 29 might be seen as not ideal to be starting his super career (have heard he may also be trying to get into Police?? so may be a factor?)
Matich - for super rugby in the highly competitive loosie position, I think 6 is where he may need to play, possibly a fraction small for 8, although you cannot fault his workrate, versatility or commitment
Bond - a hardworking lock, quite a few of them
Robinson - probably unlucky more that he got injured in Blues pre-season, otherwise probably would be there, although Bond or Douglas may not have been signed had he not been injured -
@taniwharugby said in Super Rugby 2018:
Matich - for super rugby in the highly competitive loosie position, I think 6 is where he may need to play, possibly a fraction small for 8, although you cannot fault his workrate, versatility or commitment
Matich probably the most unlucky one on that list. If Taramai hadn't regained form for Harbour he would have been a useful option at the Blues.
At the next level up I think he might be more of a 7 who can cover 8
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CM get a big contingent in as well (even with the players that are CM by name only)
Chiefs - TNW, T Pulu, Taumateine, N Laulala
Blues - SBW, A Pulu, Tupou, Manu
Hurricanes - Henwood
Crusaders - Read
Highlanders - Tuiloma, NaburaThat's 12 in the named squads and I would be sure that another handful are in the Chiefs development squad (unless Cooper has just picked the rest of the Naki to fill it up)
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@duluth Matt Matich has picked up an injury cover contract with the chiefs which takes him through until march 2018.
If there are any further injuries,he will be joining the squad full time..
Delighted for Matich,I am led to believe he is a very good team man and very community oriented in the Dargavile area.There are always some good stories that come out of super rugby selections and in many cases some unlucky ones.
It would be an interesting excersice to put together an unlucky XV
Did Chase Tiatia and Monty Ioane get contracts..?
And If we had fortune to make super rugby squad XV
Jordon Trainor would be my starting fullback,can only assume he was signed before Mitre 10 cup.. -
@steven-harris said in Super Rugby 2018:
Did Chase Tiatia and Monty Ioane get contracts..?
Not according to the official announcements. It's a pity injury cover contracts are not always published.
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@stargazer Monty Ioane has got to be the most unlucky,can beat a player with footwork alone,pace and power to match,just unlucky I guess with so may wingers around.
Tiatia is always inventive and makes something out of nothing,can only assume there is some other boxes he does'nt tick..i -
@steven-harris thats great news for Matich, not wishing an injury on anyone, buuuuutt.....
Yeah with his work ethic on the park it would be no surprise to hear he works hard off it as well, stoked for him and hope he gets some game time.
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