Hurricanes 2021
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@stargazer doesn’t look likely from their Insta story. Looks like Proctor is in the 13 jersey again. Doesn’t look like too many changes from the team that won last week, hopefully Blackwell stays left right out.
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@canes4life Maybe Toala and Visinia get a run in the last 10 minutes of the season.
Or sooner if the Canes are completely out of contention for a finals spot.
Both are off contract at the end of the season. I wonder whether Toala will re-sign or hopes to move (which will be difficult, with almost all squad spots being filled before the NPC starts) or will be looking for a contract overseas with his good mate McC.
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Proctor was probably the best 13 on show last week.
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@stargazer I’m not fussed on Visinia, he left NZ so if he doesn’t get an opportunity it’s not a big deal. Hopefully Toala does though.
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@canes4life said in Hurricanes 2021:
@stargazer I’m not fussed on Visinia, he left NZ so if he doesn’t get an opportunity it’s not a big deal. Hopefully Toala does though.
There might be some openings at The Highlanders with a few wayward players down there.
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@kiwi_expat yeah but PUJ deserves a crack.
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@kiwi_expat The bar (at 13) wasn't set very high, last weekend.
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I agree, but Proctor certainly isn't a bad player. The Hurricanes were 26 points ahead against Chiefs with Proctor at 13, after Proctor went off it turned to custard, so let's not act like PUJ starting is the be-all & end-all.
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@kiwi_expat it’s not but he made the All Blacks for a reason so he definitely deserves a shot at some point. Billy is similar to his bro Matt, sound defensively which is his biggest asset and I agree he performed admirably against the Landers. Tbh long term we might see PUJ move to 12 anyway, just hope we don’t lose him to another franchise before that happens.
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@kiwi_expat in addition to my above comment, we may very well see PUJ at 12 sooner than first thought with this article coming out today.
@Stargazer this will also mean Toala will probably come into the match day 23 if Laumape does move on.
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@canes4life I don't know where the idea comes from that PU-J will or should move to 12, except to keep Proctor in the 13 jersey, but Toala should play in 12. Realistically, the Canes' coaches will indeed look to play Wellington players out of position, and even prevent Toala from taking place on the bench. They'll probably have signed someone like Riley Higgins on a 5-year contract next year.
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He’s a big body and that’s the spot with the biggest hole right now.
Speculation is what we come here for!
Personally I’d like to see him nail down 13 more then get some starts at 12, but I could see why coaches might consider moving him there.
He’s very welcome at the Chiefs - he and ALB could be quite a pairing.
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Interesting. The Hurricanes offered James Marshall the backs coach position, but he declined. So then they appointed Bleyendaal.
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@stargazer said in Hurricanes 2021:
Interesting. The Hurricanes offered James Marshall the backs coach position, but he declined. So then they appointed Bleyendaal.
That’s interesting I thought he would’ve jumped at the chance considering he was helping coach last year.
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Someone was asking about Roderick Solo the other day but I can’t remember what thread it was so will post it on here. I saw an Insta post of him with Ruben Love today and it looks like he’s out of crutches after having serious knee surgery last year, hence why he wasn’t named in the Canes 20s squad.
Totally forgot about the kid to be fair but he’s one player I hope the Canes have in their arsenal for the future. Looks to have put on a bit of size which was my only worry with him.
Hope he gets an opportunity with Wellington this year.
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@canes4life I had mentioned him as he was in the same NZ Schools team as Love and others now playing NPC/SR.
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It might not be Thursday but I am making a bold prediction that Devan Flanders will be starting at No. 8 against the Crusaders and Vaea Fifita will be somewhere in the 23. Sadly I am also predicting the Reid Prinsep will retain his number 6 jersey. Mr. Flanders was not impressed when reminded of his club team getting cleaned up by Napier Tech Old Boys in the HB season opener!!!!!!
