Super Rugby News
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Read that Tucker was unavailable for NZ Marist game due to an overseas offer. This is what makes me angry at the Chiefs, readily recruiting from outside the franchise area while local players of similar quality are overlooked and then look elsewhere. Surprised that Bedwell-Curtis not wanted ahead of Kirikiri though.
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Some of you guys sound like you either wrote or just read this article (or the journo reads the Fern):
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/98592517/where-are-waikatos-super-rugby-players
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I would think that Orbyn Leger, Sevu Reece, Chase Tiatia, Lalakai Foketi, Pita Ahki, Zac Guildford, Mike Delaney and Stephen Donald might all have been considered as options for a spot in the backs. Aumua seems to fit the slot they approached Tamanivalu/Naholo/Savea for, so that is understandable. But, they seem a little light for first-five and wing and overstocked for centre options.
In the forwards, Tucker, Manihera, Parete, Mewett, Halafihi and M Jacobsen all missed out. As Bovidae notes, the first two would be good like-for-like cover for Brown. Tim explains the Kirikiri decision well though.
Clearly several of these players had other options and did not wait for the final selection. Just wish that could be addressed by supporting local players more.
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@arhs so who would they all have replaced?
That's the crucial thing...yes there are always unlucky players, but who they are replacing someone with is the key, and these are the new contracts, rather than guys who were picked up last year or the year before on 2/3 year contracts...
You missed MOnty Ioane
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I didn't write the article, nor have I read it (yet).
As to potential midfielders @ARHS has mentioned a few I would nominate (Leger, Reece and Foketi). Cooper and co could also have taken a punt on a young player like Sullivan. From outside the region, Vaega is the obvious choice.
My close-up view of Verney wasn't positive. He dropped just about every pass in that game. I note he isn't good enough to start for Wellington either.
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An interesting tidbit on Manihera in it:
Hame Faiva (Blues) and James Tucker (Chiefs) were not offered new contracts and Jordan Manihera, who was said to be interesting the Hurricanes, was not signed up.
I wonder if his work-rate wasn't high enough over 80 minutes? He's a big, strong ball carrier, looks like he'd go well in the NH.
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Ioane is an Aussie. Foketi is too (although NZ-born).
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@bovidae said in Super Rugby News:
My close-up view of Verney wasn't positive. He dropped just about every pass in that game. I note he isn't good enough to start for Wellington either.
He started plenty of games for Wellington this year.
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Manihera started the M10 really strongly but his form tailed off towards the end, as did Waikato's. I never thought he would make the Chiefs as all the loosies were signed up but he surely is a chance in a wider squad as an injury replacement.
One of the great things Rennie did at the Chiefs was run a larger squad so these fringe players trained with the main squad and could be used if injuries occurred. Boshier and Brown made the squad this way. I hope Cooper does the same otherwise these players might not be available to select in the future.
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@kiwimurph said in Super Rugby News:
He started plenty of games for Wellington this year.
But not in the SF and final.
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A few of those guys mentioned, are however having some kind of contract. They may not be with the Chiefs, but Tiatia is in the NZ 7s Development team, Ahki will be playing for Connacht, Halafihi for Lyon (injury cover), Delany for the Crusaders and Donald is said to go for the yen. So it's not like those players really are missing out, they're just not in the Chiefs squad. Of those players, only Akhi may not be available next Mitre 10 Cup season, although it's unclear for how long he has been signed by Connacht.
Some of these guys are also still young, so may end up training with Super Rugby franchises and playing for their development team. Think Leger, Reece, Foketi, M Jacobson.
I'm mostly surprised by Manihera not being signed, and think the Chiefs could have used the experience of Guildford, who has become very versatile the last few years, having played at centre and fullback recently, and proved to be a useful leader in the backline.
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@bovidae said in Super Rugby News:
@kiwimurph said in Super Rugby News:
He started plenty of games for Wellington this year.
But not in the SF and final.
He had two Super Rugby players in front of him - Umaga Jensen looks like a future star and Goosen had a wonderful season at 13.
Having watched all of Wellington's games this season Verney was impressive and I can see why he got a contract - he looks like someone who could contribute this upcoming season if needed for the Chiefs - whereas someone like Orbyn Leger is probably more of a development player.
You also mentioned Sullivan - who doesn't look anywhere near ready for Super Rugby yet - talented for sure but wouldnt contribute to Super Rugby next year - needs to bulk up for a start.
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Sevu Reece is definitely a talent,but his brain expolision which resulted in a yellow card against harbour after Waikato were getting on top,in my opinion was a game changer which completely handed the momentum back to harbour..
I reckon any chance of being signed by a super franchise went out the window in that particular game. -
@steven-harris I think Reece is a likely candidate for the All Blacks 7s team and they're just waiting for him to become eligible (I have no idea when that will be).
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Yes, I thought he became eligible late this year, so that would make sense. But, he wasn't named in either Sevens squad recently, and nor were a few others one might have expected: Dickson, Koroi, Nareki, O'Donnell, Joass, Baker & Ormond. Perhaps a bigger central sevens squad will be announced shortly? Guildford and Jacobsen might be a chance there too.
