Super Rugby News
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@bones said in Super Rugby News:
@crucial with the loss of Kaino, Whitelock strikes as a likely candidate, which allows them to continue with the looser 6 options of Squire/Fifita.
We'd sorely miss those lovely blindsiding spot hits of Read though.
It is the positioning of Read that we lose a lot from as well. He wasn't running on all cylinders up north and we really seemed to miss an option or two.
Whitelock is dependable but, as you say, doesn't make the big plays nor does he pop up in the right place as a link option or get behind defences out wide to create a back-pedalling defence.
I hope Akira is getting some 'extras' on effective 8 play in pre-season. We don't even really have any other good modern 8s to mentor him. -
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Delayed start to Super Rugby for Kieran Read
Read also had a late start to the Super Rugby campaign in 2017 and returned to rugby just before the first Test against the British & Irish Lions in June. ... Next year's return could be earlier, in mid-April, giving him plenty of time to prepare for New Zealand's three-Test series with France in June. ... It is anticipated that Read will be out of action for about four months. ... Because of his All Blacks duties Whitelock will have a delayed start with the Crusaders. The return of Tom Sanders to the Crusaders side this year after two seasons with the Chiefs will strengthen the loose forward cover in Read's absence with Jordan Taufua, Pete Samu and Ethan Blackadder prospective candidates to play at No.8. -
I wouldn't mind seeing Scott Barrett tried at 8 at some point. IMO he's a bit lightweight at lock at test level. From memory Read was a lock/blindside when he first started playing for the Crusaders (at least he was listed as a lock in Fantasy Rugby), so you never know.
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@milk said in Super Rugby News:
I wouldn't mind seeing Scott Barrett tried at 8 at some point. IMO he's a bit lightweight at lock at test level. From memory Read was a lock/blindside when he first started playing for the Crusaders (at least he was listed as a lock in Fantasy Rugby), so you never know.
I don't get what others see in Scott Barrett (I may give BB shit for not holding last year's form but I can see how good he is, same too with Jordie), maybe I don't watch enough Crusaders games, but in test matches he's never stood out for me. He doesn't appear to have a robust edge to his game like BBBR or JK or Read (lightweight as you describe him). Maybe I'm just missing it?
I would prefer Squire to play 8 with a tight 6 like a fit year off JK.
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@nepia said in Super Rugby News:
@milk said in Super Rugby News:
I wouldn't mind seeing Scott Barrett tried at 8 at some point. IMO he's a bit lightweight at lock at test level. From memory Read was a lock/blindside when he first started playing for the Crusaders (at least he was listed as a lock in Fantasy Rugby), so you never know.
I don't get what others see in Scott Barrett (I may give BB shit for not holding last year's form but I can see how good he is, same too with Jordie), maybe I don't watch enough Crusaders games, but in test matches he's never stood out for me. He doesn't appear to have a robust edge to his game like BBBR or JK or Read (lightweight as you describe him). Maybe I'm just missing it?
I would prefer Squire to play 8 with a tight 6 like a fit year off JK.
Agreed. Scott Barrett makes Reuben Thorne look like a flashy showpony. Maybe he has good stats on rucks hit/tackles made, but I don't see that when watching him
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@kiwimurph said in Super Rugby News:
The Blues will play the Hurricanes at Mahurangi Rugby Club on Thursday 15 February, with both teams embarking on their Investec Super Rugby season the following week
@tim Well that sounds like beer or three if you are still around.
I haven't seen the Blues lose up here yet, so quite exciting.
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Well, it won't be Tom Sanders replacing Read at 8 for the Crusaders.
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@tim said in Super Rugby News:
@stargazer Any update on this?
You asked for an update: Lindenmuth posted a photo on his instagram in which he is wearing a Crusaders jersey, so must indeed be training with them during preseason.
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@nepia Whatever he might evolve into, Scott is only 1.97-98 metres tall compared with e.g. Retallick at 2.04 and Whitelock 2.03. That's a bit problematic for a lock, but it's also a bit gangly for a blindside/No. 8.
Scott will get better as an AB, but if he evolves to a frontline player, it's hard to see that our locks will be the major strength they are right now.
For the Crusaders, Dunshea is an option at 8. He played there for the provincial Barbarians vs the Lions and was pretty impressive. Taufua can obviously play there as well - if he recovers from his broken arm in time.
