Hurricanes 2019 Discussion
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Full time in Mangatainoka: Hurricanes 31 - 38 Blues
It's hard, if not impossible, to draw conclusions from preseason games, but the Hurricanes have had the worst performance in preseason games this year from all NZ franchises. What I noticed in Levin, was the weak scrum & breakdown, conceding turnovers and giving away a lot of penalties, and lack of leadership (and possibly communication) in the backs. Hearing the radio commentary today, it may have been the same today? I hope they can fix that and that their All Blacks can make the difference!
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Three propping injuries could ruin our season before it even starts. Hope they aren't out for long. I'm not too fussed on Toomaga Allen being injured as I think he is a soft lump and always goes missing in the big games anyway. Smith, however is crucial to us and for the Canes to do anything this season he has to be starting in the no 1 jersey. Fidow is a super talent, (fairly unproven) but he has already shown the sort of mongrel attitude needed to be successful in this comp. We didn't see much if him last season because of a toe injury, so hopefully he doesn't have anything niggly again.
It also pisses me off to see Plumtree consistantly picking Blackwell at lock - 1.90m surely isn't tall enough for Super Rugby and it has shown in the first two pre season games. You think common sense would be to start the season with Cridge 2m, 114kg & Walker-Leawere 198cm, 125kg, then have the mobile Mitchell/Blackwell in the reserves.
Not looking forward to that team naming on Thursday.
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@Canes4life The time is getting close for him to unveil the 2.12 metre giant he was pontificating on about month or two back
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This post is deleted!
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Hurricanes Development team to take on Blues A in Auckland at 1.00pm tomorrow (Marist Rugby Cub in Panmure):
1 Fraser Armstrong
2 Asafo Aumua
3 Joe Apikotoa
4 Tom Parsons
5 Geoff Cridge
6 Devan Flanders
7 Sam Henwood
8 Teariki Ben-Nicholas
9 Kemara Hauiti-Parapara
10 Jackson Garden-Bachop
11 Salesi Rayasi
12 Danny Toala
13 Billy Proctor
14 Jonah Lowe
15 Chase TiatiaReserves
16 James O'Reilly
17 Sitiveni Paonga
18 Kaliopasi Uluilakepa
19 Taine Plumtree
20 Mateaki Kafatolu
21 Griffin Culver
22 Stewart Cruden
23 Awatere Kiwara -
Hurricanes Hunters (development) team for their game against the Crusaders Knights tomorrow (k/o 3pm at West Melton Rugby Club):
1 Ross Wright
2 Asafo Aumua
3 Kaliopasi Uluilakepa
4 Tom Parsons
5 Geoff Cridge
6 Vaea Fifita
7 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis (c)
8 Teariki Ben-Nicholas
9 Richard Judd
10 Stewart Cruden
11 Salesi Rayasi
12 Danny Toala
13 Billy Proctor
14 Jonah Lowe
15 Chase TiatiaReserves
16 James O'Reilly
17 Josiah Tavita Metcalfe
18 Tietie Tuimauga
19 Taine Plumtree
20 Devan Flanders
21 Jono Hickey
22 Kienan Higgins
23 Ollie SapsfordVaea Fifita will return to rugby in 2019 for the Hurricanes Hunters after he was named to start against the Crusaders Knights in Christchurch on Saturday. Fifita will start at blindside flanker in a loose forward trio which also includes Hurricanes squad member Heiden Bedwell-Curtis who will captain the side. Overall, there are six changes to the Hunters' starting XV which helped defeat the Blues A 33-24 in Auckland last week. The experienced Ross Wright comes into the front row along with Kaliopasi Uluilakepa after Fraser Armstrong and Joe Apikotoa picked up injuries against the Blues. There are three changes in the backline with halfback Richard Judd fully recovered from a foot injury which saw him miss the Hurricanes pres-season matches. Outside Judd, Stewart Cruden has been named at first five-eighth after Jackson Garden-Bachop was promoted to the Hurricanes squad for their Investec Super Rugby match against the Crusaders. Billy Proctor, who became Hurricane #260 when he made his debut off the bench against the Waratahs, starts in the midfield along with Danny Toala who scored a hat-trick of tries for the Hunters against the Blues. Hurricanes wing Jonah Lowe will also be looking to add to the two tries he scored last week while fellow squad member Salesi Rayasi has also been named to start on the left wing. -
At Crusaders v hurricanes development game. H/T 21-14 Crusaders. Bit scrappy at mo. Cridge came off with knee inj. But not serious and billy proctor done ACL in shldr, his looks more serious.
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@98blueandgold Thanks for the update!
Geez, not Cridge again! And an ACL does sound bad.
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Big break from Teriaki Ben-N leads to try then intercept try has Hurricanes up 28-21
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Hurricanes Hunters v Crusaders Knights match report from the Canes. Nothing about Billy Proctor being injured.
Wing Salesi Rayasi scored two tries as the Hurricanes Hunters came from behind to beat the Crusaders Knights 42-38 in Christchurch on Saturday afternoon. Behind 21-7 near the end of the first half, the Hunters crossed just before the break to close the gap to 21-14 after 40 minutes. The Hunters carried on that momentum in the second half and dominated for long periods only to throw a couple of intercept passes that led to tries for the Knights. Hurricanes Hunters coach Darren Larsen said the squad talked about showing character and more dicipline in the second half and they largely did that. They also improved their tackle percentage and their attack became more threatening as they put the home side under real pressure. Rayasi was a constant threat out wide and deserved his two tries while Hurricanes squad members Vaea Fifita and Richard Judd also crossed. The other tries went to Devon Flanders and Ollie Sapsford while Danny Toala landed four conversions and Jono Hickey and Stewart Cruden one a piece. Larsen also reported Fifita and Judd came through the 50 minutes of rugby returning from injury without any issues. -
@Stargazer he was right in front of me. Came out from half time showered and arm in a sling looking very sore.
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@98blueandgold I guess they're waiting for an assessment by a doctor before saying anything publically. They'll want to know the exact nature of the injury and for how long he'll be out for.
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Scraping the barrel in many positions, it seems.
Farmlands Manawatu Turbos Hurricanes XV (Hurricanes Selection) Outside backs and midfield: There is one clear stand-out at fullback for the Manawatu Turbos Hurricanes XV. Considered one of the finest All Black fullbacks, Christian Cullen was a foundation Hurricanes player who went on to feature in 85 matches during a time when the season schedule was shorter. The Hurricanes all time leading try-scorer with 56, Cullen was also top try-scorer in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003. Outside him, Andre Taylor would more than likely be selected on the right wing. While equally adept at fullback, Taylor had pace, was a strong ball carrier and was defensively sound with an excellent ability to read the game. All Black Nehe Milner-Skudder would also be favourite to start on the left wing. Although he has had his issues with injury, Milner-Skudder was one of the most dangerous players with ball in hand, particularly with his ability to beat a man with a late side step. The 2015 Rugby World Cup winner, like Taylor, also has the ability to cover fullback. The midfield had a strong number of contenders, led by All Blacks second five-eighth Ngani Laumape who has built a reputation as one of the strongest ball runners in world rugby. Laumape has also fast become a valued try scorer, leading try scorer for the Hurricanes in 2017 with 16, he also scored four tries in one match in 2018 against the Blues. Wales international Hadleigh Parkes would likely start at centre, edging out the versatile George Konia. Inside backs: Two All Blacks – Aaron Cruden and Stephen Bachop – contend for the No 10 jersey alongside Maori All Black Otere Black. While Cruden is probably remembered more for his time at the Chiefs, he was an influential member of the Hurricanes squad in 2010 and 2011 when he made 25 appearances and scored 146 points. Halfback has limited options with Joggie Viljoen and Jamie Booth limited in their game time for the Hurricanes.Loose forwards: Arguably the hardest positions to fill in a Manawatu Turbos Hurricanes XV, the list of loose forwards includes a number of players who could fill more than one spot. Former Manawatu captain Karl Williams would be a strong candidate for the No 8 role given his performances over three seasons with the Hurricanes. There would be plenty of reliable options at blindside flanker and not much separating the candidates which include foundation Hurricane Bruce Hansen, Brent Thompson, Nick Crosswell, who could also play at openside, 2019 Hurricane and former Manawatu captain Heiden Bedwell-Curtis and lastly Daryl Williams. Given the depth at No 6, Callum Gibbins would probably be the best choice to wear the No 7 jersey. Locks: The middle row also includes four strong candidates for just the two places. Three All Blacks – Dion Waller, Jason Eaton and Chresten Davis – probably have an edge over Hayden Triggs, although there would be some fans who would argue the latter was more consistent than those who wore the black jersey. While Waller played only one match for Manawatu, he was a long-serving Hurricanes player while Jason Eaton was a talented, more modern player. Props and hooker: For some reason, Manawatu have provided very few front row players for the Hurricanes. Inaugural captain and former All Black Mark Allen would be a logical choice while Maori All Black and 50-game Hurricanes veteran Chris Eves would be the other. Ged Robinson is the only player to have played for Manawatu and the Hurricanes.
