Crusaders 2019
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@Chris I think most of the recruiting will be done via the Crusaders Knights (development contracts) or the bench; most of the direct replacements of these players are already playing for the Saders.
Franks - Alaalatoa, then Jager
Whitelock - Strange, then Dunshea
Read - Douglas, then Blackadder?
Taufua - Sanders (if he can stay in one piece), new back-up needed
Crotty - moving Havili or Goodhue - Jordan to 15 or Ennor to 13, then Punivai to bench
Todd - Billy Harmon, new back-up needed
Romano - hardly plays, so already overtaken by Strange and Dunshea
Bateman - see Crotty -
@Chris Yeah - I was already thinking that, even before Sam Whitelock's sabbatical news came through.
It is quite handy to have guys like Romano and Bateman in the squad - in the twilight of their careers and presumably happy enough to ride the pine and be good squaddies. Be good if both are up for another year.
Owen Franks is going to be difficult to replace - good tighthead props don't grow on trees and I've yet to be really impressed by Jager.
I hope Todd sticks around as well - Sanders/Blackadder/Douglas/Harmon isn't quite as fearsome as what we have this year.
Another challenge for Razor is keeping all our young outside backs happy. Blues and Highlanders doubtless sniffing around for outside backs especially fullbacks.
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@Chris-B Yeah a 3rd TH will be tough to find especially as Jager is really unproven need an experienced TH from somewhere
next year if Moodey and Alaalatoa get injured ,The starting props maybe Jager and Allen.With 2 other young pups on the bench as I don't trust Tim Perry to get through a full season he's lucky to make 3 games. -
@Stargazer The Question is are there players in the Knights good enough watching the u/20s Newell at TH has not impressed nor Mcleod maybe Grace could step up not sure about Burke or Gilbert either thats from a Crusaders region perspective. Seems to be a bigger drop off this season of quality in the u/20s which is a worry.
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@Chris said in Crusaders 2019:
Some Interesting Recruitment needed for 2020 by the Crusaders they will need to find replacements for
Owen Franks
Sam Whitelock
Kieran Read
Jordan Taufua
Ryan. Crotty
and maybe Matt Todd,Luke Romeno and Tim BatemanWorst case scenario that we lose all those players - we'll be trading our Rolls Royce pack in for a Honda.
Moody, Taylor, Alaalatoa, Barrett, Strange, Sanders, Harmon, Douglas
Perry, Makalio, Jager, Dunshea, Blackadder
It's OK, but most teams won't lose sleep over it. Think we need to retain Todd and Romano.
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@Chris-B especially losing that much experience Todd and Romano would be great to keep hold of.
Tamati Williams I noticed played on TH side for NZ U/20's V Japan so may shape up as a Franks replacement being able to play both sides.Hes a big unit and looks able to handle himself. -
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@gt12 said in Crusaders 2019:
Who pays for the Crusaders academy funding? Is it financed by NZ rugby? If so, I find that whole episode really strange.
It's no different to the multitude of non-NZ players who've represented Super Rugby teams since 1996 and been paid by the NZRU. The academy is a shared resource but if you allocated a share by player it's probably more expensive to pay a contract. A few off the top of my head below.
Fa'atau
Decrezceni
Caucau
D Ioane
Tanaka
The English lock who came to Canterbury and the Chiefs poached, circa 2012
Vunipola
Nadolo
Ardron
Haskell
