Hurricanes 2020
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If the Canes don't sign Toby Smith again then Rakete-Stones may push for that starting role. Fraser Armstrong hasn't exactly set the house on fire there and Xavier Numia will probably continue developing his game from the bench.
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@Canes4life Quite a few changes at prop with Eves, Smith, Toomaga-Allan gone. Time for youngsters to step up. No doubt, Lomax will take the starting spot at TH, but LH is the big question.
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@Stargazer I wouldn't mind Rakete-Stones getting the gig, joining Coles and Lomax in the front row as the starters, with the current Wellington front row of Aumua, Numia and Fidow coming off the bench.
Also, what happened to Tim Farrell? Is he injured again or has he not kicked on as expected?
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2020:
Also, what happened to Tim Farrell? Is he injured again or has he not kicked on as expected?
Considering he hasn't played since the round 1 game against Manawatu - for the Magpies or the development team - I think he must be injured again. I haven't read anything (in the Hawke's Bay Today or on the HBRU FB page) to confirm that, but he's a squad member so he would play for the Saracens if he's not picked for the Magpies.
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MARSHALL RETURNS AND HOME GROWN TARAMAI SIGNS FOR 2020
North Harbour loose forward **Murphy Taramai** will be returning home to Wellington after he signed with the Hurricanes for the 2020 Investec Super Rugby season. The 27-year-old grew up in the capital and attended Upper Hutt College where his sporting prowess was widely recognised. He shifted across the Ta$man to take up a contract with the Penrith Panthers but returned to New Zealand where he played for Wellington before shifting to play for North Harbour. The former New Zealand sevens representative's form has been strong in this year's Mitre 10 Cup. "He's a good ball carrier, has an excellent work rate and is a really good defender which are all good attributes," Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree said. "We think he can do a really good job for us and we are looking forward to him coming into the Hurricanes environment." Meanwhile, experienced utility back **James Marshall** has extended his time at the Hurricanes after also signing on for the 2020 season. Marshall, who has been playing in Japan since the end of the Super Rugby season, brings an ability to cover a number of positions, most notably fullback and first five-eighth. "James is just a really good person to have within the squad," Plumtree added. "He adds a strong voice to a lot of things we are trying to achieve and we're really happy he has decided to come back for another season." The 30-year-old has made 53 appearances for the Hurricanes since he made his debut in 2013. -
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They really must have something against Ben-Nicholas, he is head and shoulders better than Taramai and probably deserves his chance more after slogging it out for the Canes development team last year.
The Canes CEO really isn't cutting it for me. After promising exciting signings in an interview about a month ago, he really has failed to deliver here.
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@Bovidae said in Hurricanes 2020:
@Duluth This just means less competition for Akira as the Blues run him into the ground again.
Maybe they’ll pick up Ben-Nicholas, imagine that 1 - 2 punch!
Hopefully that Ta$man coach at the Blues doesn’t run Akira into the ground again.
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@Nepia that's if Akira makes the 1st 15. Hasn't looked Super Rugby level lately.
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@Stargazer Damn it stole my Thunder...I’m really disappointed in these signings to be completely honest, Marshall is very very average since he’s come back, and I’d rather they signed Teariki Ben Nicholas over Taramai and he’s a lot more mobile.
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2020:
@Nepia that's if Akira makes the 1st 15. Hasn't looked Super Rugby level lately.
Yeah, hopefully he can return to normal form next year. Oddly enough, despite the fact he was worked into the ground during Super comp this year I think the break he had for the NPC was the worst thing that probably could have happened.
Anyway, back to the Canes, Plumtree really is trying to fill them with plodders.
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@Nepia said in Hurricanes 2020:
@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2020:
@Nepia that's if Akira makes the 1st 15. Hasn't looked Super Rugby level lately.
Yeah, hopefully he can return to normal form next year. Oddly enough, despite the fact he was worked into the ground during Super comp this year I think the break he had for the NPC was the worst thing that probably could have happened.
Anyway, back to the Canes, Plumtree really is trying to fill them with plodders.
Plum loves his plodders. Its a concern what we end up with at 1st 5.
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@Nepia said in Hurricanes 2020:
@Bovidae said in Hurricanes 2020:
@Duluth This just means less competition for Akira as the Blues run him into the ground again.
Maybe they’ll pick up Ben-Nicholas, imagine that 1 - 2 punch!
Hopefully that Ta$man coach at the Blues doesn’t run Akira into the ground again.
We already have Sotutu, who was probably the form 8 in the NPC before getting injured. Although I wouldn't mind bringing Ben-Nicholas back home if there was any room for him.
The Blues probably need to sign an openside more than a 6/8.
