Crusaders 2018
-
Slowly but surely the might and power the Crusaders can call on is being reassembled and the latest return from injury is All Blacks loosehead prop Joe Moody. He is fit for selection and is likely to feature in Saturday's home Investec Super Rugby game against the Waratahs.Whether he started or came off the bench would be a decision based on his training during the week.Other players were also close to returning. Fullback David Havili was going through HIA protocols, lock Luke Romano had started running on Monday and Israel Dagg was improving and could be ready in two to three weeks. Romano had injured his ankle at training before the Crusaders headed to Australia to play the Brumbies and Rebels and the injury had not looked good, however, Ryan said it had settled down and there was a much more positive feeling about it but it would take a week or two to know for certain.http://superrugby.co.nz/News/32388/crusaders-machine-taking-shape
-
Ryan Crotty has re-signed with NZR, the Crusaders and Canterbury for another year (2019).
Scott Barrett has re-signed with NZR, the Crusaders and Taranaki for two years (2020).
Crotty and Barrett re-sign with NZ Rugby and BNZ Crusaders
The BNZ Crusaders have added both experience and emerging talent to their playing roster, with Ryan Crotty and Scott Barrett re-committing to New Zealand Rugby, the BNZ Crusaders and their respective provinces. “2019 will be my 11th season with the Crusaders, but I still feel as passionate and enthusiastic as I did when my career began. I’m thoroughly enjoying my time in this team and love turning up to work every day alongside great mates, so whether I am representing the All Blacks, Crusaders or Canterbury, I still have plenty of desire to play my best rugby for each of them and I look forward to being a part of these teams for the remainder of this season and in 2019,” Crotty said. Crotty progressed through the Canterbury and Crusaders development programmes, making his debut for Canterbury back in 2008. He went on to make his BNZ Crusaders’ debut against the Hurricanes in Christchurch the following year. Since then the midfielder has amassed an impressive 131 Investec Super Rugby caps, notching up his 100 game milestone in front of a home crowd back in 2016. In 2013 he made his All Blacks debut against the Wallabies in Sydney and has earned 35 caps in the black jersey to date.Barrett also progressed through the Canterbury and Crusaders development programmes, making his provincial debut for Canterbury in 2014 and playing 19 games for the red and blacks before signing with Taranaki in 2017. He first played for the Crusaders against England in June 2014, and made his official Investec Super Rugby debut against the Blues in Christchurch a few weeks later. The 24 year-old earned his first cap for the All Blacks as a replacement player in 2016, scoring a superb try on debut in the All Blacks’ historic match against Ireland in Chicago. The young lock said the opportunity to continue his playing career in Christchurch through to 2020 was too good to pass up: “I’m loving my time in the Crusaders environment, it’s a healthy training environment to be a part of, with a passionate and motivated coaching group. “The All Blacks and Crusaders teams are obviously hugely important to me and I am driven to perform at the highest level for both of them. For me personally, it’s also special to re-commit to Taranaki Rugby and connect with my home province and the place where my rugby dream started. I want to continue to improve my game and contribute as best I can to rugby in New Zealand,” Barrett said. BNZ Crusaders Head Coach Scott Robertson said he was thrilled to secure the world-class duo on his playing roster: “These are two fantastic signings for us. Ryan is one of the great Crusaders, and is an important leader in our side. He’s one of our vice-captains and provides a crucial voice in our midfield that his team-mates really respond to. He’s a professional in every sense of the word, is composed under pressure and consistent in his performances. “Likewise, Scott is a key signing and we are thrilled to have him commit through to 2020. He’s still only a young man, but already has great experience to his name and an incredible work ethic. Scott is a lock of international quality and a champion bloke - he’s rugged with ball in hand, athletic around the park and is a massive contributor to our side’s culture. “Both of these players genuinely care about this team and give 100 percent in training and out on the field. As a coaching group, we are privileged to have such quality men and high-calibre players in our group, adding to the Crusaders’ legacy,” Robertson said.All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: “Scotty has come on leaps and bounds in recent seasons. He’s a superb athlete for a relatively young player and has been working really hard to develop the skillset and size to compete at the highest level. We look forward to watching him grow even more over the next few seasons. “We also welcome Crotts’ re-signing. He’s an outstanding footballer, is a key member in our backline and provides a cool, calm head, especially in high-pressure situations,” Hansen said. -
@machpants said in Crusaders 2018:
So Crotty going post rwc then, I guess
From memory he likes to only sign 1 year deals as a self motivation tool, so might not be a certainty that he would be off.
-
Kieran Read is back training with the Crusaders. The All Blacks captain and No 8 won't be available for Super Rugby prior to the test window in June, and isn't expected to play France when they tour New Zealand, but the sight of him in his footy gear was at least something to warm the soul as the Crusaders had a light run on a gloomy day in Christchurch on Monday. Since undergoing surgery on his spine to alleviate pain in his leg in mid-December, Read had previously worked behind closed doors to concentrate on his recovery. "I think it was a nice surprise for everybody," Crusaders assistant backs coach Ronan O'Gara said in reference to the return of Read, who had initially hoped to be back playing by mid-April. Today was a walk-through, clarity (session). I think there is a plan with Razor (coach Scott Robertson) and the medical team about how much he can partake, but it's just great to have him back at the club.""I think it is a very slow-burner at this stage," O'Gara confirmed. "There is a plan in place, and with long-term injuries the plan obviously has to be pretty flexible. I think it (the sight of Read) did give all the boys a bit of a lift, and he had one or two points (to make) which is always valuable information. "I don't know if he touched a ball, it was walking speed today."The Crusaders, who will play the Blues in Auckland on Saturday night, also had a couple of other injured All Blacks on deck. Lock Luke Romano, who suffered a high ankle sprain in late April, took part in a light game of touch and fullback/wing Israel Dagg, who hurt his right knee against the Brumbies on April 28, has made a swift recovery. O'Gara said Romano would need to be given more time to get fit, and it was too early to say whether Dagg could be considered to play the Blues. Loosehead prop Tim Perry, who damaged a hamstring against the Brumbies, should be available for selectionThe Crusaders can also consider tighthead prop Owen Franks and midfielder Ryan Crotty to play the Blues - both were rested from the Waratahs game - while wing Manasa Mataele will have to pass an HIA test on Thursday. -
@stargazer That's an unflattering photo of Read.
-
Former Wallabies hooker Jeremy Paul knows who he'd hire to be the next Australian national team's coach – and it isn't Eddie Jones.
Speaking to Radio Sport, Paul suggested Australian Rugby look across the ditch for Michael Cheika's successor – naming current Crusaders leader Scott Robertson as his top choice.
"If I was Australian Rugby, I'd be chasing that guy," Paul said. "I'd be hounding that guy. I know we want to be able to produce our own coaches but I believe Scott Robertson is the best coach in Super Rugby...he's an incredible coach."
Chieka was set to step away from the role if the Wallabies don't win the 2019 World Cup. Jones, currently coaching England, was reported to be a candidate to replace him, however Paul would rather see Robertson at the helm.
In his first year at the helm of the Christchurch-based Super Rugby club, Robertson lead the side to the title. Now, over the halfway mark in his second season, the Crusaders sit at the top of the New Zealand conference.
Jeremy Paul played more than 70 matches for the Wallabies. Photo / Getty Images
Jeremy Paul played more than 70 matches for the Wallabies. Photo / Getty Images
That winning feeling was on Paul said Australia needed to get back. The Wallabies have struggled against the All Blacks for a number of years now, winning just two of their past 15 encounters against the New Zealand national side.
"Winning is a great start," Paul said. "Australians just hate seeing our teams lose.
"It's not just picking the right coach...there's massive issues – there's not just one thing we can put our finger on because there's a multitude of things that have gone wrong over a long, sustained period of time."The 72-match Wallaby praised the appointment of Raelene Castle as chief executive of Rugby Australia and hoped her influence would be able to spark a change for the better in the organisation.
"We need a strong administration – we need to have direction from the top...and internally within our administration, we need to put the right people in developing our coaches."
-
So what they achieved by taking Robbie Deans?
-
-
-
-
@bovidae so you are saying that is some poor journalism?
-
I don't know the details of Samu's contract but the fact he was born in Aust and, as the article states, is an Aust citizen should be no different than Fiji, Samoa or Tonga wanting their players released in June. It's still his decision to accept any request to play.
But to answer your question, yes.
-
I think the brad shield clause applies to the Ozzies, as it stands Ozzie can't pick him as he doesn't play for an Ozzie SR team nor have 60 caps. But like England with Brad shields, rugby Australia might let Cheika pick him early as he is coming next season. He's probably not signed the clause brad signed that holds him to NZ, like peers Francis but I don't know for sure
-
The only way it would be similar to Shields is if he's been here 3 years + and is qualified for NZ and in his latest Super contract he declared he wanted to play for NZ only and went through the steps to fulfil 9.38. Other than that, Oz can select him and the Crusaders can't stop him from going.
Sport
