Super Rugby News
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="558979" data-time="1455588546">
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<p>Any ferners heading to Blenheim for the Saders preseason hitout vs the Canes? I'd be interested in a (real) match report before the season proper starts. The stuff report from the Landers game in Southland was more about the occasion (which is fine) rather than how players were faring.</p>
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<p>Starting to get excited about the 'unknown' element of what the Saders will be like this season. </p>
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<p>Here's the match report from the ODT. </p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/highlanders/372892/rugby-draw-fair-result-match-full-handling-errors'>http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/highlanders/372892/rugby-draw-fair-result-match-full-handling-errors</a></p> -
<p>Looks like James Broadhurst is still struggling from a head knock in the ITM Cup</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/77055877/james-broadhursts-concussion-headache-wont-go-away'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/77055877/james-broadhursts-concussion-headache-wont-go-away</a></p>
<p> </p>James Broadhurst's concussion headache 'won't go away'
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<p class=""><span>LAURA WALTERS</span></p>
<p class=""><span>Last updated 10:36, February 19 2016</span></p>
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<li><a class="" href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/77055877/james-broadhursts-concussion-headache-wont-go-away#comments"><span>0</span></a></li>
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<div><img src="http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/9/v/k/m/b/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.19vkp1.png/1455839760785.jpg" title="" alt="1455839760785.jpg"><div><span>Maarten Holl/ Fairfax NZ</span></div>
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<p>Lock James Broadhurst enjoyed a breakout year in New Zealand rugby in 2015 as a key figure in the Hurricanes' Super Rugby campaign.</p>
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<p>A Hurricanes player plagued by concussion issues says he's happy with the international safeguards and protocols surrounding the injury. </p>
<p>Lock James Broadhurst has not played, nor even trained properly, since suffering two head knocks playing for Taranaki against Wellington in the first round of last year's national provincial competition. </p>
<p>That was in August and the one-test All Black said he still had a headache that "won't go away".</p>
<div><img src="http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/9/v/k/o/2/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.19vkp1.png/1455839760785.jpg" title="" alt="1455839760785.jpg"><div><span>SIPHIWE SIBEKO/ REUTERS</span></div>
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<p>James Broadhurst made his test debut for the All Blacks in their 2015 Rugby Championship test against South Africa in Johannesburg.</p>
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<p>The 28-year-old said the ongoing effects of his concussion were "extremely frustrating" but he doesn't believe any more could have been done to prevent the injury.</p>
<p><b>READ MORE:<br>- <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/77040872/hurricanes-lock-james-broadhurst-sidelined-by-head-knocks-suffered-last-august'>Head knocks sideline Canes lock Broadhurst</a></b><br>
- <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/77057894/coach-steve-hansen-confirms-kieran-read-will-be-all-blacks-captain'><b>Hansen confirms 'Reado' as All Blacks captain</b></a><br>
* <b><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/77042129/all-blacks-named-halberg-award-winners-after-their-rugby-world-cup-triumph'>All Blacks win Halbergs Supreme Award</a><br>
* <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/77051604/all-blacks-coach-steve-hansen-humbled-to-be-named-coach-of-the-year-at-the-halbergs'>Hansen humbled with Coach of the Year</a><br>
* <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/77054766/steve-hansen-now-5050-on-coaching-all-blacks-to-next-world-cup'>Hansen '50-50' to got to next World Cup</a></b></p>
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<p>At the time of the knock Broadhurst said he didn't display any symptoms of concussion and decided to keep on playing, which was when he received the second hit.</p>
<p>He was taken off at half-time following a medical assessment and wouldn't be returning to the paddock until he was symptom-free.</p>
<p>And at the moment he did not know when that would be.</p>
<p>"How long is a piece of string?"</p>
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<p>Back in September Broadhurst said he regretted returning to the field after the first knock.</p>
<p>"It's about personal responsibility and in my case I've only got myself to blame."</p>
<p>During Friday's press conference he said hindsight was a wonderful thing.</p>
<p>At the time of the knock everyone had followed international protocols.</p>
<p>"There's really good protocols in place in New Zealand rugby."</p>
<p>However, people needed to be "more vigilant" at lower levels when it came to concussion, Broadhurst said.</p>
<p>"I just think people need to be smarter... I think at the lower levels where those resources aren't around there are probably situations where people could be more vigilant."</p>
<p>Broadhurst said he was trying to do what he could to help the team by participating in line-out training and staying positive.</p>
<p>"There's no point in sitting around, moping about it, it's only gonna be worse for the mental state."</p>
<p>His injury hadn't affected his personal life and he had been told he was likely to make a full recovery. </p>
<p><strong>Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said it was a frustrating setback for Broadhurst and the team but it was unlikely to affect his career in the long-term. </strong></p>
<p>The unknown element of the injury meant all protocols had been strictly adhered to.</p>
<p>"The awareness around concussion is becoming markedly increased," Boyd said.</p>
<p>"You don't muck around with concussion. We'd love to see Broady out there on the field, but fully understand that won't happen until he has satisfied all the criteria set out by the medical staff and that's exactly how it should be," Boyd said.</p>
<p>Hurricanes doctor Theo Dorfling said players needed to be symptom-free for 24 hours before they could participate in any physical activity and only then would they be able to enter a graduated return to play programme.</p>
<p>Hurricanes spokesman Toby Robson said New Zealand Rugby Union has introduced a video box at the halfway point that was monitored by doctors, allowing them to review footage of any knocks, then monitor the player for symptoms. </p>
<p>Broadhurst made his test debut last July, playing against South Africa at Ellis Park.</p>
<p><strong> - Stuff</strong></p>
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Matt Vaega has signed for the Blues. <br><br>
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://theblues.co.nz/vaega-signs-for-2016/'>http://theblues.co.nz/vaega-signs-for-2016/</a> -
<p>From the Kyode News:</p>
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<p><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Rugby: Family bereavement forces Sunwolves coach to return home</strong></span></span></p>
<p>TOKYO, Feb. 19, Kyodo</p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Mark Hammett, coach of Japan's new Super Rugby side the Sunwolves, will leave the team's training camp in Okinawa with immediate effect following the death of his mother Friday in New Zealand.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">"It is a sad day for me and my family on the passing of my mother," Hammett said in a statement. "A lot of my success in life I owe to her. I would like to thank Japan Rugby and the Sunwolves management, players, sponsors and fans for their support at this sad time. I will leave Japan to go and support my family and lay my mum to rest. I am hopeful that I can return in time for our inaugural Super Rugby match."</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Assistant coach Filo Tiatia will take charge of the team as they prepare for their inaugural game against the Johannesburg-based Lions on Feb. 27 in Tokyo.</span></span></p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="559844" data-time="1456020026">
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<p>Kaino suspended one week. Not a great look for the captain. Good news for the Blues is they still have Luatua Ioane and Edwards as 6/8.</p>
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<p>Lucky not to get more imo.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="559886" data-time="1456032501">
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<p>Lucky not to get more imo.</p>
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<p>From Sumo Stevenson's twitter</p>
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<p><a class="" href="https://twitter.com/sumostevenson"><strong>Scotty Stevenson</strong> â€<span style="font-size:13px;"><span style="color:rgb(177,187,195);">@</span>sumostevenson</span> </a> <a class="" href=""><span>2m</span></a></p>
<div style="color:rgb(41,47,51);font-family:Arial, sans-serif;background-color:rgb(245,248,250);"><a class="" href=""><span>2 minutes ago</span></a></div>
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<p class="">Jerome Kaino gets a one week ban for freeing his arm. That man needs a better lawyer.</p>
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<p>I reckon a week off was top end, IMO it was a punch at the arm holding which released and ended up in the face...but then I guess a punch is a punch.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="559891" data-time="1456034350"><p>I reckon a week off was top end, IMO it was a punch at the arm holding which released and ended up in the face...but then I guess a punch is a punch.</p></blockquote>
See it didn't look like he was trying to punch when I saw it - just looked like he was trying to swing his out so it wasn't held, then it was free and whacked someone, freak accident. Red card should've been it. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="559896" data-time="1456034799">
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<p>See it didn't look like he was trying to punch when I saw it - just looked like he was trying to swing his out so it wasn't held, then it was free and whacked someone, freak accident. Red card should've been it.</p>
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<p>swinging arm got seen as a punch that hit someone in the nose I expect, I think you are right, but they have obviously viewed it as a punch to get a RC and a week of?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Frank" data-cid="559904" data-time="1456040330">
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<p>Question:</p>
<p>How much will we see Akira Ioane in the Blues this year? (given the Sevens schedule)? What exactly will he miss out on?</p>
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<p>He will be available from week 1 - 10. Since we have two byes within the first 10 weeks, he will only play 8 games at most.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="559887" data-time="1456032607">
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<p>From Sumo Stevenson's twitter</p>
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<p>Sumo's the type who thinks that the players can do no wrong and that everything is the refs/judiciary's fault. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="559907" data-time="1456041968"><p>
Sumo's the type who thinks that the players can do no wrong and that everything is the refs/judiciary's fault.</p></blockquote>Sumo is the common sense type. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="559896" data-time="1456034799">
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<p>See it didn't look like he was trying to punch when I saw it - just looked like he was trying to swing his out so it wasn't held, then it was free and whacked someone, freak accident. Red card should've been it.</p>
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<p>It's not a freak accident if you throw your fist in the direction of someone's head and end up hitting them. Sure there was an arm in the way initially but that isn't an excuse for reckless play.</p>
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<p>One week seems fair.</p> -
<br><br><blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="559913" data-time="1456053086"><p>It's not a freak accident if you throw your fist in the direction of someone's head and end up hitting them. Sure there was an arm in the way initially but that isn't an excuse for reckless play.<br><br>
One week seems fair.</p></blockquote>
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Didn't look like he was throwing his fist at someone's head at all, looked like he was trying to pull his arm free. <br><br>
Red card was adequate punishment. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="559914" data-time="1456053842">
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Didn't look like he was throwing his fist at someone's head at all, looked like he was trying to pull his arm free.<br><br>
Red card was adequate punishment.</p>
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<p>I didn't say he threw his fist at Manu's head, I said he threw it in the direction of his head. Pull his arm free from what? Manu was holding onto Cane's jersey, not Kaino. Kaino tried to knock Manu's arm out of the way at the same time as Manu let go of Cane and since Kaino put some force into it, he ended up uppercutting Manu in the face. It was reckless.</p>