Crusaders 2020
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@Chris-B said in Crusaders 2020:
@Chris-B said in Crusaders 2020:
@Chris said in Crusaders 2020:
Looks like these 28 players have signed for The Crusaders 20/20 as far as I can find out.A few Holes to fill if they haven't already
Taylor
Makalio
McAlisterJager
Moody
Alaalatoa
BowerBarrett S
Strange
Dunshea M
RomanoHarmon
Christie
Havili S
Roots
Blackadder
DouglasHall
Drummond
EnariMounga
CameronGoodhue
EnnorMataele
Reece
Fainga'anuku. L
BridgeJordan
Havili DOK - at last count we needed eight more names. Based on previous discussions and a bit of speculation I'm going for:
Harry Allan (loosehead prop)
Isaac Salmon (tighthead prop)
Ratu Meli Naureau Naevo Derenalagi (blindside/lock) (hope I got the right Ratu Meli!)
Tom Sanders (loose forward)Colin Slade (or someone like him - returning from abroad) (first five)
Rameka Poihipi (2nd five)
Fetuli Paea (centre)
Tima Fainga'anuku (wing)I would be happy with all of those but I reckon you maybe wrong on. Isaac Salmon,Ratu Meli Naureau Naevo Derenalagi,Colin Slade. I hope you are right,I like that 8 you have named.Although Tom Sanders worries me very injury prone.
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@Chris Could easily be wrong on all of them.
I'm pretty certain I'll be wrong on Slade - but, I'm thinking it will be someone like him - a sort of Mike Delany signing. Tom Taylor, Tyler Bleyendaal etc, who's ready to come home. Maybe it's Dan Carter!
I don't think Razor will cut Allan or Sanders unless there's someone obviously better.
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@Chris-B said in Crusaders 2020:
@Chris Could easily be wrong on all of them.
I'm pretty certain I'll be wrong on Slade - but, I'm thinking it will be someone like him - a sort of Mike Delany signing. Tom Taylor, Tyler Bleyendaal etc, who's ready to come home. Maybe it's Dan Carter!
I don't think Razor will cut Allan or Sanders unless there's someone obviously better.
I hope we do find an experienced back up First Five otherwise its a Fergus Burke type youngster and that doesn't fill me with confidence.
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@Chris-B Isi Tuangafasi has reportedly not signed with Northland, and is off to Canterbury..
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@Steven-Harris So that might mean he has signed with the Crusaders, too?
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@Steven-Harris Probably gives him the inside running on that tighthead spot, then!
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@Stargazer said in Crusaders 2020:
@Steven-Harris So that might mean he has signed with the Crusaders, too?
looks like it
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@Chris-B I think Isi is a LH prop, not TH.
He was the third LH (behind Moody and Allan) for the Crusaders in 2019, not TH. I think he also played at LH - at least most of the time - for Northland.
Unless he's one of those props who can play both ... but that's not how he has been used by the Saders. We'll see. Maybe they only named him at LH, because George Bower is a TH.
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@Stargazer said in Crusaders 2020:
@Chris-B I think Isi is a LH prop, not TH.
He was the third LH (behind Moody and Allan) for the Crusaders in 2019, not TH. I think he also played at LH - at least most of the time - for Northland.
Unless he's one of those props who can play both ... but that's not how he has been used by the Saders. We'll see. Maybe they only named him at LH, because George Bower is a TH.
Yeah he subbed for the Crusaders at TH when Allen and he were on the Bench also George Bower plays both sides
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@Stargazer These guys get quite confusing when they can play both.
Bower apparently can - according to this - Bower, who started out as a loosehead prop but switched to tighthead to fill a void when he moved to Dunedin, prefers tighthead but the Crusaders are utilising him as cover for All Blacks loosehead Joe Moody.
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Media release
Crusaders announce new-look 2020 Investec Super Rugby squad
Crusaders announce new-look 2020 Investec Super Rugby squad
Scott Barrett to Captain the side in 2020
Andrew Goodman replaces Ronan O’Gara as Backs CoachThe Crusaders squad for 2020 has been named, with a number of debutants in the side, and some familiar faces who will be named in the 38-man squad for the first time.
The official announcement of all five New Zealand Investec Super Rugby squads is live on Sky Sport this evening, and Head Coach Scott Robertson is in attendance to reveal his Crusaders team for Super Rugby’s 25th season.
Robertson said: “This is an exciting new era for the Crusaders, and an opportunity for some talented young players to step up in the Super Rugby environment. We farewelled a number of highly experienced players and great men at the end of last season, who have set this year’s squad up to build on our success. It’s exciting to embrace a new chapter of Crusaders rugby, which starts with the naming of our squad tonight.”
Of the 12 new Crusaders, six players have progressed through the Crusaders Academy (Fergus Burke, Tom Christie, Inga Finau, Cullen Grace, Brodie McAlister, Dallas McLeod) and the group represents six provincial unions across New Zealand; Canterbury, Ta$man, Otago, Waikato, North Harbour and Northland. Four players also have Super Rugby caps to their name already – Sevu Reece, Brodie McAlister, Isi Tuungafasi and George Bower were all capped during the 2019 season.
“Crusaders fans will be familiar with wing Sevu Reece,” Robertson said. “He was our 2019 Rookie of the Year after joining the squad as an injury replacement and making the most of his opportunity at Super Rugby level. An exciting and instinctive player, we’re looking forward to welcoming Sevu back following his debut Rugby World Cup campaign with the All Blacks.
“We also welcome front-rowers Brodie, Isi and George as full squad members this season. Brodie was a New Zealand Schools representative who, at just 22, has had to overcome some adversity with injury early in his career. He had some valuable game time for Canterbury in the Mitre 10 Cup recently and is a promising addition for us at hooker.
“George Bower is another great addition to our squad having made a really meaningful contribution at prop in 2019. He’s an agile and skilful front rower, who can play either side of the scrum, and he’s a really popular team man as well so we look forward to giving him further opportunities with the Crusaders in 2020.
“I coached Isi with the New Zealand Under 20 side back in 2015 and he’s a young prop who impressed us during his time here last season. He first represented Auckland at provincial level before making the move to Northland in 2018 for more opportunities, and it's great to have him return to Christchurch ahead of our 2020 campaign,” Robertson said.
Of the uncapped players joining the squad, there are four forwards and four backs.
“Ethan Roots is a strong, abrasive loose forward/lock option for us, who had a brilliant Mitre 10 Cup season for North Harbour. We’re excited to unlock the potential in this promising East Coast Bays club representative,” Robertson said.
“Sione Havili will also join our loose forwards as a powerful ball carrier and defender, who had his 2018 season cut short through injury but was superb in the Ta$man Mako pack in 2019.
“Tom Christie and Cullen Grace complete our loose forward group for 2020 – both are former UC Championship players who represented New Zealand Secondary Schools’, Canterbury Under 19s, and the New Zealand Under 20 side. Tom has shown plenty of leadership qualities having captained the Under 20s, and Cullen impressed in his debut provincial season as a loose forward who has the ability to play lock.
“Fetuli Paea caps off a brilliant season for the Mako with Super Rugby selection. He has represented Tonga in both the sevens and 15’s game, is an explosive ball carrier, and gives us options with his ability to play a number of backline positions.
“Inga Finau took a year off from professional rugby in 2018 to pursue his studies, returned for Canterbury this season and impressed as a strong, physical ball carrier capable of making an impact in the midfield. He has big shoes to fill with the departure of some highly experienced midfielders, but Inga is a quality footballer and we can’t wait to see what he can do on the Super Rugby stage.
“Completing our playing roster for 2020 are young backs Fergus Burke and Dallas McLeod, who made their debuts for Canterbury this season. Fergus was a member of the New Zealand Under 20 side this year, while Dallas was Vice-Captain of that team for the Junior World Championship in Argentina. At just 20 years of age, we believe both have great futures ahead of them, and we look forward to having all of our 2020 rookies assemble as part of our Crusaders squad for the pre-season in a couple of week’s time,” Robertson said.
In the absence of Sam Whitelock in 2020, Robertson has also named a new Captain in Scott Barrett, and said the lock is a natural choice to lead the side in his sixth season with the Crusaders: “Scott has a phenomenal work ethic, and produces consistent performances for the Crusaders. He’s well-respected by his team mates as well as the coaching and management group, has great character and helps drive our team culture so we see him as a natural fit to Captain the side and congratulate Scooter on this exciting opportunity.”
The Crusaders squad will officially assemble to commence their pre-season on 28th November, with the All Blacks due to return in the New Year.
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They are saying Cullen Grace impressed this year for Canterbury. Really? The bits I saw were quite underwhelming, but I did only see about three games.
