Hurricanes 2019 Discussion
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Re-sigend by the Hurricanes:
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The Hurricanes have positioned themselves well for the future by signing five of their most promising players for at least the next two seasons. Promising prop Xavier Numia (20), openside flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi (22), and lock James Blackwell (23), have signed with the club until the end of the 2021 season. Utility back Vince Aso (24), who first joined the Hurricanes in 2015 and is closing in on 50 matches for the club, and second year prop Alex Fidow (21), have signed until the end of the 2022 season. Hurricanes general manager of rugby Ben Castle believed the collective signing of the group would greatly benefit the players and the club. "These players are talented young men with big futures who have been part of the Hurricanes family for some time now. We are very pleased to have them with us for the next few seasons at least." he said. "They are all very motivated individuals who have a strong desire to see the Hurricanes succeed." Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree was looking forward to the opportunity to continue to work with the players over the next few seasons. "While our focus is very much on 2019 and getting the job done now, we still have to look closely at the future and locking in this group of players allows us to do that," he said. "All of the players we have signed are already contributing a lot to the squad's performance but the coaching group really believe they can continue to get better and that is something they all want to do." -
Ross Geldenhuys? Surprised to see that name; didn't know he was still in the country.
I had to look up Veikoso Poloniati. Apparently he played for South Canterbury last year.
They're still looking for a fullback ...
No first five-eighth on the bench.No Flanders or McClutchie.
Can't be because of NZ U20s, because Toala and Kereru-Symes did make the squad. -
@Stargazer Pretty good loose trio there though. Good to see Mark Telea getting a run. Who is he injury cover for?
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Is Mark Telea any good??
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@Stargazer said in Hurricanes 2019 Discussion:
Ross Geldenhuys? Surprised to see that name; didn't know he was still in the country.
I had to look up Veikoso Poloniati. Apparently he played for South Canterbury last year.
They're still looking for a fullback ...
No first five-eighth on the bench.No Flanders or McClutchie.
Can't be because of NZ U20s, because Toala and Kereru-Symes did make the squad.Veikoso Poloniati (prefers to be called James) turned out for the Wellington FC against Avalon in the season opener last week. Huge man, my eye has him about 197ish cm, so must be close to Ardie for height! Probably a bit heavy at the moment, hear he could be up over the 120kg mark. Certainly seemed to struggling in the last ten minutes or so in what was a really hot and sunny day with temps up in the mid to upper 20s, not helped by playing on an astroturf pitch. Still first game up so fitness bound to get better from now on.
That is him in the middle of the picture with the strapping around his left wrist and thumb. Seems to play very much in the same way the Isiah Walker-Leawere does but will keep a closer eye on him next time I watch his team play.
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The Hurricanes Hunters have beaten Japan A 52 to 31.
Match report: Hurricanes Hunters impress in win over Japan A
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Here's the official Scarlets' media release about the Sam Lousi signing: https://www.scarlets.wales/en/team-news/articles/sam-s-the-man-as-hurricanes-forward-signs-for-scarlets/
So the Canes will be looking for yet another tall lock, as if finding one wasn't difficult enough.
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@Stargazer Don't worry, Plumtree's 2.05m, 130kg lock will turn up at some point.
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@Canes4life fuck we mixed up the stats. He's actually a 130cm, 205kg chode! fml
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@Paekakboyz Haha I don't think Mathematics was Plumtree's strong point.
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After the bye, the Hurricanes travel to Tokyo to play the Sunwolves. They are hopeful loose forward Gareth Evans and utility back James Marshall will be joining them on the plane after working their way through their respective injury rehabilitations. Captain Dane Coles is also a chance to make the trip, although the team could take an ultra cautious approach and leave him at home to rest his calf injury, given his history with injuries. Outside back Nehe Milner-Skudder is due back in the weeks after that, while prop Toby Smith should also be back at some stage as the Hurricanes build through the second half of their season.Players who are consistently overlooked and don't get game time, also get overlooked in the injury updates.
I haven't seen any news about the nature of Jonah Lowe's injury and how bad it is. Same with Cridge. It would be nice to know whether Lowe will be able to play NPC this year (and hasn't been ruled out for the entire season like Falcon).
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@Stargazer yeah but they haven't mentioned the likes of Aso, Fidow, Umaga Jensen etc aswell.
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So this is a fall from grace for TJ Va'a. Can't even make the Wainui prems team.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2068221513298960&id=150674251720372
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@Canes4life I think I saw an instagram post (forgot who posted it) in which TJ Va'a was congratulated on his return from injury. I think it was his first game in 9 months or so. That could be an explanation why they started him in the Prem Reserves. Where he plays the next few weeks will be a better indication of where he sits.
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@Stargazer oh right got yah. It would be good to have more of an update on some of these players, something the Canes are poor at doing.
Unbeaten Hurricanes Hunters named to face Japan A
https://www.facebook.com/WellingtonAxemen/photos/pb.272092836304357.-2207520000.1553765712./1131426520370980/?type=3&theater
