Super Rugby News
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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> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="564992" data-time="1458118946">
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<p>Got rewarded by the AB selectors by being brought into the squad.</p>
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<p>Perhaps Hansen hadn't heard that Osbourne enjoys eating fish and chips at the beach.</p> -
NZ Rugby reportedly in 'secret talks' to sign Kiwi league prospect Nelson Asofa-Solomona<br><br>
One of rugby league's brightest prospects, Kiwi forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona, could be on his way to the Hurricanes after reportedly holding "secret talks" with New Zealand Rugby.<br><br>
Brisbane's Courier-Mail claims the towering Melbourne Storm sensation is considering a switch to the 15-man game as he looks to fulfil his dream of playing for the All Blacks.<br><br>
At 201cm and 122kg, Wellington-born Asofa-Solomona is one of the biggest players in the NRL and was earmarked as a star of the future after playing 10 games for the Storm last season.<br><br>
But after exploring the possibility of a code switch during last month's Auckland Nines, the Courier-Mail have reported that his family have since hired a Wellington-based lawyer to oversee negotiations with the Hurricanes.<br><br><br>
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="565002" data-time="1458123940"><p>On the TV news they were saying until September (~ 6 months).<br><br><br><br>
Osborne played for the Chiefs in 2013 before signing for the Highlanders. He played OK with limited opportunities.<br><br>
My concerns at international level would be his defence, mainly positional play, and Osborne can be dodgy under the high ball. <br><br>
Lastly, if Cory Jane tears it up for the Canes I wouldn't be surprised to see him back in black.</p></blockquote>
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Even though he was in the Saders squad in 2012 there were concerns whether he could make the step up to Super rugby. From what I heard that was the case when he was at the Chiefs. He was given some opportunity there due in large part to injuries. <br><br>
He's had a couple of very good ITM seasons since and obviously a real break out year for him last Super campaign. <br><br>
I think his defence is much improved. He moves a lot better laterally and seems to read the game well. High ball is still a concern but to me most of these seem to be about poor timing on the jump rather than "Toeava-hands"
