Super Rugby News

Bovidae

Players from the amateur era retired due to concussion. Jock Hobbs is an example. But more would have just shaken off any symptoms and got on with it.

I agree that the increased physicality and force of collisions is greater now, which definitely plays a part.

Paekakboyz

From the bottom of the Goodes article

A sample of other players to retire due to concussion

James Broadhurst - Hurricanes
Leon MacDonald - Crusaders
Steve Devine - Blues
Ben Afeaki - Chiefs
Craig Clarke - Chiefs
David Briggs - Chiefs
Shane Cleaver - Chiefs
Kane Barrett - Blues

Really sad to see Goodes have to pull the pin. A really solid player who hadn't yet reached his full potential. Didn't he score a primo try (for a prop!) in our winning season... will have to have a hunt around for it.

KiwiMurph

They can't play dumb on this as the situation was the same in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016.

The exceptions were 2015 because there was a significant preparation period between the end of Super Rugby and the first scheduled test and last year, again because the squad assembled two weeks before taking on the British & Irish Lions.

............................................................................

The truth is that the training camps are not much of a big deal at all, but Super Rugby coaches had their respective noses put out of joint by the way the All Blacks' intentions were communicated. The process was poor apparently: a touch dictatorial while the initial demands were also thought to be excessive.

But here we are now with an agreement that seems reasonable and bang in line with previous seasons which means it is time to get over it.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11993623

Tim

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/101400955/crusaders-name-12-all-blacks-in-side-to-play-highlanders-in-waimumu

Crusaders: David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, Braydon Ennor, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd, Pete Samu, Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Chris King, Ben Funnell, Oli Jager, Luke Romano, Quinten Strange, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Billy Harmon, Mitchell Drummond, Mitch Hunt, Jone Macilai, Tim Bateman, Manasa Mataele, George Bridge.

Chris B.

Moody, Franks and Perry all out leaves us pretty shorthanded in the propping stocks. Crockett and Alaalatoa are serviceable, but then the untried Lindenmuth, the last legs of Chris King and the somewhat underwhelming Jager.

Having both Drummond and Taufua fit and ready to go is a plus.

I presume that - as well as the various ABs listed in the article as out injured - so too are Mitchell Dunshea (again!) and Will Jordan.

ACT Crusader

12 ABs plus FABBE.....

KiwiMurph

@act-crusader said in Super Rugby News:

12 ABs plus FABBE.....

I was expecting him to carve up the 10s but he was more Caleb Ralph than Caleb Clarke.

Tim

Chiefs add All Blacks Damian McKenzie and Brodie Retallick for Brumbies pre-season clash

Chiefs: Shaun Stevenson, Tim Nanai-Williams, Anton Lienert-Brown, Alex Nankivell, Solomon Alaimalo, Damian McKenzie, Brad Weber, Taleni Seu, Sam Cane (co-capt), Mitchell Brown, Dominic Bird, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Liam Polwart, Atu Moli.

Reserves: Kane Hames, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Angus Ta'avao, Aidan Ross, Michael Allardice, Lachlan Boshier, Liam Messam, Mitchell Karpik, Luke Jacobson, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Marty McKenzie, Tiaan Falcon, Johnny Fa'auli, Charlie Ngatai (co-capt)

Bovidae

Nankivell was pants in the Blues game. That looks close to the first-choice backline with Ngatai in for Nankivell. Maybe the right wing spot is open too.

Aumua, Verney, Pulu and Ardron haven't seen sighted yet.

SouthernMann

Highlanders name their team for Waimumu 1. Daniel Lienert-Brown

Liam Coltman
Siate Tokolahi
Jackson Hemopo
Tom Franklin
Liam Squire
Dillon Hunt
Luke Whitelock
Aaron Smith
Lima Sopoaga
Tevita Li
Rob Thompson
Matt Faddes
Waisake Naholo
Ben Smith (cc)
Ash Dixon (cc)
Aki Seiuli
Tyrel Lomax
Alex Ainley
Dan Pryor
Elliot Dixon
Kayne Hammington
Fletcher Smith
Teihorangi Walden
Tevita Nabura

SouthernMann

Is that 36 year old Chris King on the bench for the Crusaders?

Tim

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/101445769/ihaia-west-gets-preseason-starting-nod-for-hurricanes-against-the-blues

Hurricanes squad: Matt Proctor, Julian Savea, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Wes Goosen, Ihaia West, TJ Perenara, Gareth Evans, Ardia Savea, Brad Shields, Vaea Fifita, Sam Lousi, Ben May, Ricky Riccitelli, Toby Smith. Reserves: Asafo Aumua, James O'Reilly, Alex Fidow, Chris Eves, Fraser Armstrong, Murray Douglas, James Blackwell, Michael Fatialofa, Sam Henwood, Reed Prinsep, Blade Thomson, Jamie Booth, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Chase Tiatia, Ben Lam, Jonah Lowe, Trent Renata.

Chris B.

@southernmann Yep - pretty sure it is.

Tim

Take out Barrett and Coles, and that's a lot different looking Hurricanes team.

Barrett is a wizard at this level.

cgrant

Good to see Fatialofa and Blade Thompson back in the line-up. Also interesting is Atu Moli selected at loose head for the Chiefs. Maybe his aspirations for an All Blacks call lay there.