Unlucky Players not to get a SR Contract
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@Tim after the season he has had, Gregory lucky he signed a multi year contract last year, plus is signed as a mid fielder not an OB.
Hopefully the Highlanders coaches watched our games to realise he ain't a FB, cos ours haven't.
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@bobily2 said in Unlucky Players not to get a SR Contract:
Eklund, Lindenmuth, Coxon
You could make a very handy team of rejects this year.
you certainly could.
With my optimistic hat on, I think the lack of player drain will start to tell - NZ rugby will grow in strength, quality and depth again. All we need are some good coaches to be world beaters again
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I am staggered at the blues signings especially outside backs. Why would Kneepkens move up there to join a queue a mile long when he would likely start for his home franchise. And how can Eklund rate behind the 3 chosen. But Leon Mcdonald talked about 10 extra players signed up as cover for Abs. If so then that might be the reason for a lolly scramble of signings and crazy omissions. I think NZRU needs to take a good long look at what is happening if it has lead to this.
I am sad if Fletcher Smith has been forced to look overseas for a contract. He just might be a star signing with his skillset. Besides him I didn't see Kurt Eklund Tom Parsons Samepeni Finau Tamati Tua Josh McKay Aaron Carroll Mitch Jacobsen or Rameka Poihipi. All should be compelling choices as full squad members in my view. -
@ARHS Apparently Ekland is covering at the Blues at the start of the new season for an injured Vikena then has a full 2 year contract with them from 2022. Maybe Parsons is retiring then as he is now 34.
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Unlucky Players not to get a SR Contract:
@ARHS Apparently Ekland is covering at the Blues at the start of the new season for an injured Vikena then has a full 2 year contract with them from 2022. Maybe Parsons is retiring then as he is now 34.
you'd think so.
Amazing how Parsons is great as a squad hooker. Great team man, gives it 100%, sets standards. Not quite there on the field, but as a no 2 or 3 he's just fine.
Well done to the coaches for actually bolstering an area of weakness
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Couldn’t agree more.James Parsons would be the ultimate squad man,a wise head on old shoulders,and mentor to those coming through.The Blues are now attracting players to come to the region,and no one can deny them their change in fortune.Kurt Eklund will no doubt be seen again this year as well.
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@Stargazer said in Unlucky Players not to get a SR Contract:
Geoff Cridge and Tom Parsons are unlucky, too.
I'm more surprised the Bryn got one at the lenders over them
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@Magpie_in_aus Yeah, but from what I read in the media, they have mostly signed Bryn Evans for his experience (mentoring role).
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@Daffy-Jaffy Pleased to hear this. But, I really do wonder about the commonsense in that. Niuia unproven after a long term injury and Vikena the same. Eklund is right in that 'next best' group outside the AB's in my eyes. Of the 4 hookers who is the more likely to be first choice by end of 2021? (Tolai?.......)
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@Yeetyaah said in Unlucky Players not to get a SR Contract:
Okay so Kane Hames replied to my comment on Facebook (doxxing myself lmao). Fletcher Smith off to Australia?
With a name like that, you could have been a stalwart of English club rugby!
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@Tim said in Unlucky Players not to get a SR Contract:
Otago wing Freedom Vahaakolo is another player who many would consider unlucky not to earn a full contract. I've heard from a few Highlanders fans this morning who are staggered Sam Gilbert and Scott Gregory are preferred to someone like him.
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Robert van RoyennI think both Gregory and Gilbert had existing contracts so its more a case of Aliamalo v Vahaakolo for an outside back spot (even though its more 15 v 14)...and it becomes a bit more clear, disappointed though
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@Smudge said in Unlucky Players not to get a SR Contract:
@Yeetyaah said in Unlucky Players not to get a SR Contract:
Okay so Kane Hames replied to my comment on Facebook (doxxing myself lmao). Fletcher Smith off to Australia?
With a name like that, you could have been a stalwart of English club rugby!
Three surnames for the price of one!
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@ARHS said in Unlucky Players not to get a SR Contract:
@Daffy-Jaffy Pleased to hear this. But, I really do wonder about the commonsense in that. Niuia unproven after a long term injury and Vikena the same. Eklund is right in that 'next best' group outside the AB's in my eyes. Of the 4 hookers who is the more likely to be first choice by end of 2021? (Tolai?.......)
It's simply contracting.
Parsons and Niuia were already on multi year contracts that run through next season.
Eklund was on a 1 year deal last season.
If they signed Eklund they risk losing Vikena and visa versa. Through injury they've managed to keep both.
Tolai wasn't contracted last year so is the unlucky one this year.
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To start the ball rolling here is my reserve squad of 23 - available at some stage for WTG's (Tua & Allan injured), and NZ-eligible (no Lambourn or Ili), and not in Sevens squad:
F Smith, McKay, Vaha'akolo, Walden, Poihipi, McClutchie, Milo-Harris, Roots, Finau, Choat, Cridge, Parsons, Coxon, Iosefa-Scott, Eklund Res: Tofa, Leger, Ratima, Jacobson, Carroll, Lindenmuth, McIlroy, Tolai
Who else do you see as the leading contenders?
