Super Rugby News
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="563077" data-time="1457325386"><p>Not given his record, no.<br> <br>What's OTT is the Reds gave him two games this season to fuck up.</p></blockquote> <br>That's what I meant. Either you sack him over Summer, or you give him a reasonable number of games in the new season. Sacking him two games into the season is just ridiculous.<br> <br><blockquote class="ipsBlockquote"><p><strong><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Reds coach calls it quits</span></span></strong><br> <br><em><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color:#4d4d4d;">Reds head coach Richard Graham has been released from the remainder of his contract with immediate effect.</span></span></span></strong></em><br> <br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color:#4d4d4d;">Graham, who was head coach for the past three seasons, will be replaced by co-interim head coaches Matt O'Connor and Nick Stiles.</span></span></span><br> <br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color:#4d4d4d;">Stiles has been the Reds' forwards coach since 2014 and also led Brisbane City as head coach to back-to-back titles in the National Rugby Championship. O'Connor joined the Reds as attack coach ahead of the 2016 season after spending the last seven years coaching in Europe, most recently as head coach of European Cup semi-finalists Leinster.</span></span></span><br> <br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color:#4d4d4d;">The QRU will commence a worldwide process to appoint a head coach for the 2017 Super Rugby season. It is likely that this process will take between 90 and 120 days once the QRU formally goes to market. Both O'Connor and Stiles will be invited to be part of this open process.</span></span></span><br> <br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color:#4d4d4d;">"QRU conducted a high-performance review in the middle of last year and as a result implemented significant change across our Rugby department. At that time the Board made the decision to reappoint Richard as head coach for a year, but we always said there would be periods within the 2016 Super Rugby season where we would take stock of how the team was performing," said QRU Chairman Damien Frawley.</span></span></span><br> <br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">- ONE News</span></span></p></blockquote>
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<p>Agreed. It just makes the board look even more incompetent.</p>
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Isn't that the problem? ie the chairman who loved him has gone so the road block to getting rid of him has gone too.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="564889" data-time="1458089568">
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<p>Are we back to looking for another 14 for the ABs? Naholo and Dagg need to come back strong, Jane looks to have been ditched at the right time as well. Maybe Bender moves back to 14 and McKenzie comes into FB?</p>
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<p>I certainly hope Naholo and Dagg will return from injury soon and come back strong, because Ranger hasn't been convincing enough yet to re-claim a spot in the ABs IMO. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="564887" data-time="1458089209">
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<p>Bugger, Nehe Milner-Skudder out for the rest of the season!</p>
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<p>Scans have revealed he needs shoulder surgery.</p>
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<p>That really really sucks, he's my favourite player to watch at the moment.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="564890" data-time="1458089924">
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<p>Another option would be Barrett to 15 and Bender to 14 with Cruden/Sopoaga starting/on bench.</p>
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<p>Hopefully Rene Ranger starts to get his old mojo back and putting his hand up for that 14 jersey. </p>
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<p>That is my preference. Not sure Mackenzie is AB material yet and his size makes him a defensive liability. International rugby is another step up but I could be wrong. We have plenty of good wingers to allow Bender to stay at FB. Osbourne, the ex Mako Waikato winger, heck memory is bad but I like more size. The game is trending bigger and stronger. This is probably why Cruden has so many injuries. Love the way Cruden runs into space with the ball.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="broughie" data-cid="564939" data-time="1458100861">
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<p>That is my preference. Not sure Mackenzie is AB material yet and <strong>his size makes him a defensive liability. </strong> International rugby is another step up but I could be wrong. We have plenty of good wingers to allow Bender to stay at FB. Osbourne, the ex Mako Waikato winger, heck memory is bad but I like more size. The game is trending bigger and stronger. This is probably why Cruden has so many injuries. Love the way Cruden runs into space with the ball.</p>
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<p>Tell that to Nadolo</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="564940" data-time="1458101094">
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<p>Moala played on the right wing vs Samoa. </p>
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<p>I don't rate Osborne that highly myself.</p>
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<p>Fair enough. The ABs did bring him into camp as cover so he must have some stock. You are right on Moala. Names werent coming to me.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="564944" data-time="1458101889">
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<p>Tell that to Nadolo</p>
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I don't think based on one tackle you can consider MacKenzie a defensive force? Maybe brave. He is known more for his offense. </p> -
<p>Preference 1: give Naholo an extended run at 14</p>
<p>Preference 2: Barrett at 15, Smith to 14</p>
<p>Preference 3: Dagg miraculously finds form, or give McKenzie a shot</p>
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<p>Not a Ranger fan. Not top class AB material, and don't think he ever will be. Bench at best.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="564940" data-time="1458101094">
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<p>Moala played on the right wing vs Samoa. </p>
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<p>I don't rate Osborne that highly myself.</p>
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<p>Agree. Very over-rated imo.</p> -
Remind me, who exactly is over-rating Osborne??
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I would say Osbourne has exceeded many expectations. Not highly rated in Canterbury for some time. Got picked up by the Landers and worked his butt off to get in shape and has played some very good footy. <br><br>
Got rewarded by the AB selectors by being brought into the squad. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unite" data-cid="564988" data-time="1458118542">
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<p>So is he gone for the year or just Super season, the couple of articles say the Super season?<br><br>
Could he be back for RC or EOYT?</p>
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<p>On the TV news they were saying until September (~ 6 months).</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="564992" data-time="1458118946">
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<p>I would say Osbourne has exceeded many expectations. Not highly rated in Canterbury for some time. Got picked up by the Landers and worked his butt off to get in shape and has played some very good footy.<br><br>
Got rewarded by the AB selectors by being brought into the squad.</p>
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<p>Osborne played for the Chiefs in 2013 before signing for the Highlanders. He played OK with limited opportunities.</p>
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<p>My concerns at international level would be his defence, mainly positional play, and Osborne can be dodgy under the high ball. </p>
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<p>Lastly, if Cory Jane tears it up for the Canes I wouldn't be surprised to see him back in black.</p>
