2021 Crusaders
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I'm sick of the Crusaders, used to love the way they played basically ever since Mehrtens' time. Now they're cynical as fuck, led by Barrett. They just cheat every time they're under any pressure.
That's just a whinge and not on topic: Matera is a great signing, he's a gun and seeing blokes like that play is always a good thing. He may keep out someone at the Crusaders, but they'll learn from him, and everyone else in opposition gets value from the increased standard. -
@stargazer said in 2021 Crusaders:
I don't think the Crusaders' backrow is half as bad as people are saying. But with Blackadder having relatively few caps for his age due to injury, Grace being 21 years and Christie 23 years old (the top tacler before he got injured, this season), the first choice backrow is pretty green.
Sanders has the expierence at 27, but also breaks regularly, and has been pretty good the last 2 seasons when he played.
Their depth has been lacking with Douglas going downhill since his first year when he replaced injured Kieran Read (2017?). Sione Havili is also only 23, but may not have the potential.
Signing Matera may be a masterstroke. Grace just can't play every game at his age and Matera is a great player he can learn from. In the mean time, Anton Segner and other youngsters coming through can learn as well, before they're thrown into the deep end.
Still not a fan of signing foreign players, but maybe there are not enough good NZ backrowers at the moment?
This is absolute bullshit. The NZRFU talk about looking after Clubs and Provinces yet every decision they make is other arrow to the heart of the clubs and provinces.
This is about another super franchise not wanting to do the hard work to win a competition with local talent. Our SR teams are for developing our players not for coaches to win competitions with foreign players. The NZRFU has lost touch with its communities and just spins corporate bullshit - because itâs now run by Businessmen who want to âgrow the gameâ and they always start at the top, with their trickle down theories. Every year itâs something new - private ownership of Super Rugby teams, Private ownership of the All Blacks.
Between elite school boy rugby, academies, U20 Super Sides, and foreign players the Club/ Province structures that made NZ different and stronger are being eroded. NZ rugby is now all about short term success and a chase for players at increasingly younger (starting with school boys ) ages - itâs the way of professional sport. This while the Provinces chase the crumbs by competing with each other for players and success. What they donât see is that their position is being eroded because their club and provincial competitions are being made redundant bit by bit with every decision. Itâs right there in front of them. Turkeys vote for Xmas all the time.
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@kev said in 2021 Crusaders:
@stargazer said in 2021 Crusaders:
I don't think the Crusaders' backrow is half as bad as people are saying. But with Blackadder having relatively few caps for his age due to injury, Grace being 21 years and Christie 23 years old (the top tacler before he got injured, this season), the first choice backrow is pretty green.
Sanders has the expierence at 27, but also breaks regularly, and has been pretty good the last 2 seasons when he played.
Their depth has been lacking with Douglas going downhill since his first year when he replaced injured Kieran Read (2017?). Sione Havili is also only 23, but may not have the potential.
Signing Matera may be a masterstroke. Grace just can't play every game at his age and Matera is a great player he can learn from. In the mean time, Anton Segner and other youngsters coming through can learn as well, before they're thrown into the deep end.
Still not a fan of signing foreign players, but maybe there are not enough good NZ backrowers at the moment?
This is absolute bullshit. The NZRFU talk about looking after Clubs and Provinces yet every decision they make is other arrow to the heart of the clubs and provinces.
This is about another super franchise not wanting to do the hard work to win a competition with local talent. Our SR teams are for developing our players not for coaches to win competitions with foreign players. The NZRFU has lost touch with its communities and just spins corporate bullshit - because itâs now run by Businessmen who want to âgrow the gameâ and they always start at the top, with their trickle down theories. Every year itâs something new - private ownership of Super Rugby teams, Private ownership of the All Blacks.
Between elite school boy rugby, academies, U20 Super Sides, and foreign players the Club/ Province structures that made NZ different and stronger are being eroded. NZ rugby is now all about short term success and a chase for players at increasingly younger (starting with school boys ) ages - itâs the way of professional sport. This while the Provinces chase the crumbs by competing with each other for players and success. What they donât see is that their position is being eroded because their club and provincial competitions are being made redundant bit by bit with every decision. Itâs right there in front of them. Turkeys vote for Xmas all the time.
It happens every season now it seems, As far as my memory can remember these players all played for NZ teams when they were NZ ineligible,Which is want you are saying above as I understand it.
HIGHLANDERS
Kazuki Himeno,Fumiaki Tanaka,James Haskell,Vilimoni Delasau,Seru Rabeni ,Pingi Tala'apitaga
BLUES
Joe Marchant,Christian Califano,,Rupeni Caucaunibuca,,Brian Lima,John Senio ,Apenisa Naevo
CHIEFS
Tyler Arden,Mahonri Schwalger,Junior Poluleuligaga,Matt Symons,Asaeli Tikoirotuma
CRUSADERS
Marika Vunibaka,,Digby Ioane,Nemani Nadolo,Pablo Matera
HURRICANES
Kobus van Wyk,Inoke Afeaki,Sireli Bobo,Alapati Leiua,,Anthony Perenise ,Apisai NaikatiniThere probably is a lot more.
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@chris Wes Goosen is eligible for NZ.
Piers Francis was still NZ eligible when he played for the Blues, I think.
Tony Lamborn is NZ born and has lived here all his life, so a bit different from the others.
Michael Ala'alatoa was eligible for NZ until the 2019 RWC.
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@stargazer said in 2021 Crusaders:
@chris Wes Goosen is eligible for NZ.
Piers Francis was still NZ eligible when he played for the Blues, I think.
Tony Lamborn is NZ born and has lived here all his life, so a bit different from the others.
Michael Ala'alatoa was eligible for NZ until the 2019 RWC.
Ok fair call I will take them off the list as I only mentioned players not eligible for NZ when signed for a SR team.
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@nepia said in 2021 Crusaders:
Has Ta$man staged a coup? The Crusaders Chequebook Invitational Baabaas XV building up stocks for next year.
Yeah - but, you're late to the party.
We took over Auckland rugby a couple of years ago!
We do the recruitment, the coaching...and even commentate all their crucial matches!
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@chris ...I think the Pacific Island players are mostly a different story as they live is NZ and play in NZ for club and provincial teams before making SR squads. Often choosing alternative National teams after not making the All Blacks. Itâs the ones that donât come through our systems that I have the issue with....and I canât understand why the provinces donât? In theory the SR franchises should be owned and accountable to their feeder provinces. But they are not and the arenât. Big disconnect. We shouldnât have players on SR that havenât played Club and Provincial rugby.
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@kev said in 2021 Crusaders:
@chris ...I think the Pacific Island players are mostly a different story as they live is NZ and play in NZ for club and provincial teams before making SR squads. Often choosing alternative National teams after not making the All Blacks. Itâs the ones that donât come through our systems that I have the issue with....and I canât understand why the provinces donât? In theory the SR franchises should be owned and accountable to their feeder provinces. But they are not and the arenât. Big disconnect. We shouldnât have players on SR that havenât played Club and Provincial rugby.
I understand what you are saying and don't completely disagree.But on that list are Pacifc Islanders who didn't grow up or play club Rugby etc so they should fall into the same catagory as ineligible NZ players like Pablo Matera.
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@chris said in 2021 Crusaders:
@kev said in 2021 Crusaders:
@chris ...I think the Pacific Island players are mostly a different story as they live is NZ and play in NZ for club and provincial teams before making SR squads. Often choosing alternative National teams after not making the All Blacks. Itâs the ones that donât come through our systems that I have the issue with....and I canât understand why the provinces donât? In theory the SR franchises should be owned and accountable to their feeder provinces. But they are not and the arenât. Big disconnect. We shouldnât have players on SR that havenât played Club and Provincial rugby.
I understand what you are saying and don't completely disagree.But on that list are Pacifc Islanders who didn't grow up or play club Rugby etc so they should fall into the same catagory as ineligible NZ players like Pablo Matera.
Agreed
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@chris-b said in 2021 Crusaders:
@nepia said in 2021 Crusaders:
Has Ta$man staged a coup? The Crusaders Chequebook Invitational Baabaas XV building up stocks for next year.
Yeah - but, you're late to the party.
We took over Auckland rugby a couple of years ago!
We do the recruitment, the coaching...and even commentate all their crucial matches!
So that explains their recent controversy with players leaving etc.
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@stargazer said in 2021 Crusaders:
I don't think the Crusaders' backrow is half as bad as people are saying. But with Blackadder having relatively few caps for his age due to injury, Grace being 21 years and Christie 23 years old (the top tacler before he got injured, this season), the first choice backrow is pretty green.
Sanders has the expierence at 27, but also breaks regularly, and has been pretty good the last 2 seasons when he played.
Their depth has been lacking with Douglas going downhill since his first year when he replaced injured Kieran Read (2017?). Sione Havili is also only 23, but may not have the potential.
Signing Matera may be a masterstroke. Grace just can't play every game at his age and Matera is a great player he can learn from. In the mean time, Anton Segner and other youngsters coming through can learn as well, before they're thrown into the deep end.
Still not a fan of signing foreign players, but maybe there are not enough good NZ backrowers at the moment?
Perfectly summed up.
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@chris said in 2021 Crusaders:
@kev said in 2021 Crusaders:
@stargazer said in 2021 Crusaders:
I don't think the Crusaders' backrow is half as bad as people are saying. But with Blackadder having relatively few caps for his age due to injury, Grace being 21 years and Christie 23 years old (the top tacler before he got injured, this season), the first choice backrow is pretty green.
Sanders has the expierence at 27, but also breaks regularly, and has been pretty good the last 2 seasons when he played.
Their depth has been lacking with Douglas going downhill since his first year when he replaced injured Kieran Read (2017?). Sione Havili is also only 23, but may not have the potential.
Signing Matera may be a masterstroke. Grace just can't play every game at his age and Matera is a great player he can learn from. In the mean time, Anton Segner and other youngsters coming through can learn as well, before they're thrown into the deep end.
Still not a fan of signing foreign players, but maybe there are not enough good NZ backrowers at the moment?
This is absolute bullshit. The NZRFU talk about looking after Clubs and Provinces yet every decision they make is other arrow to the heart of the clubs and provinces.
This is about another super franchise not wanting to do the hard work to win a competition with local talent. Our SR teams are for developing our players not for coaches to win competitions with foreign players. The NZRFU has lost touch with its communities and just spins corporate bullshit - because itâs now run by Businessmen who want to âgrow the gameâ and they always start at the top, with their trickle down theories. Every year itâs something new - private ownership of Super Rugby teams, Private ownership of the All Blacks.
Between elite school boy rugby, academies, U20 Super Sides, and foreign players the Club/ Province structures that made NZ different and stronger are being eroded. NZ rugby is now all about short term success and a chase for players at increasingly younger (starting with school boys ) ages - itâs the way of professional sport. This while the Provinces chase the crumbs by competing with each other for players and success. What they donât see is that their position is being eroded because their club and provincial competitions are being made redundant bit by bit with every decision. Itâs right there in front of them. Turkeys vote for Xmas all the time.
It happens every season now it seems, As far as my memory can remember these players all played for NZ teams when they were NZ ineligible,Which is want you are saying above as I understand it.
HIGHLANDERS
Kazuki Himeno,Fumiaki Tanaka,James Haskell,Vilimoni Delasau,Seru Rabeni ,Pingi Tala'apitaga
BLUES
Joe Marchant,Christian Califano,,Rupeni Caucaunibuca,,Brian Lima,John Senio ,Apenisa Naevo
CHIEFS
Tyler Arden,Mahonri Schwalger,Junior Poluleuligaga,Matt Symons,Asaeli Tikoirotuma
CRUSADERS
Marika Vunibaka,,Digby Ioane,Nemani Nadolo,Pablo Matera
HURRICANES
Kobus van Wyk,Inoke Afeaki,Sireli Bobo,Alapati Leiua,,Anthony Perenise ,Apisai NaikatiniThere probably is a lot more.
I don't recall many, if any, of those signings stirring up the same level of emotion as this one. Understandable, to a point. I'm not overly bothered by foreign signings when there is an apparent need at the franchise. Relative to the Read, McCaw, Todd days, we have a need at the moment and a one year contract such as this is a fair reflection of our current loose forward depth.
Looking at the tier down, there is very little potential SR quality and our current group includes young guys, a waning veteran and some injury magnets. So in the current circumstances I'm all good with this.
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@stargazer said in 2021 Crusaders:
@chris Wes Goosen is eligible for NZ.
He is also eligible for South Africa!
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@chris said in 2021 Crusaders:
@kev said in 2021 Crusaders:
@stargazer said in 2021 Crusaders:
I don't think the Crusaders' backrow is half as bad as people are saying. But with Blackadder having relatively few caps for his age due to injury, Grace being 21 years and Christie 23 years old (the top tacler before he got injured, this season), the first choice backrow is pretty green.
Sanders has the expierence at 27, but also breaks regularly, and has been pretty good the last 2 seasons when he played.
Their depth has been lacking with Douglas going downhill since his first year when he replaced injured Kieran Read (2017?). Sione Havili is also only 23, but may not have the potential.
Signing Matera may be a masterstroke. Grace just can't play every game at his age and Matera is a great player he can learn from. In the mean time, Anton Segner and other youngsters coming through can learn as well, before they're thrown into the deep end.
Still not a fan of signing foreign players, but maybe there are not enough good NZ backrowers at the moment?
This is absolute bullshit. The NZRFU talk about looking after Clubs and Provinces yet every decision they make is other arrow to the heart of the clubs and provinces.
This is about another super franchise not wanting to do the hard work to win a competition with local talent. Our SR teams are for developing our players not for coaches to win competitions with foreign players. The NZRFU has lost touch with its communities and just spins corporate bullshit - because itâs now run by Businessmen who want to âgrow the gameâ and they always start at the top, with their trickle down theories. Every year itâs something new - private ownership of Super Rugby teams, Private ownership of the All Blacks.
Between elite school boy rugby, academies, U20 Super Sides, and foreign players the Club/ Province structures that made NZ different and stronger are being eroded. NZ rugby is now all about short term success and a chase for players at increasingly younger (starting with school boys ) ages - itâs the way of professional sport. This while the Provinces chase the crumbs by competing with each other for players and success. What they donât see is that their position is being eroded because their club and provincial competitions are being made redundant bit by bit with every decision. Itâs right there in front of them. Turkeys vote for Xmas all the time.
It happens every season now it seems, As far as my memory can remember these players all played for NZ teams when they were NZ ineligible,Which is want you are saying above as I understand it.
HIGHLANDERS
Kazuki Himeno,Fumiaki Tanaka,James Haskell,Vilimoni Delasau,Seru Rabeni ,Pingi Tala'apitaga
BLUES
Joe Marchant,Christian Califano,,Rupeni Caucaunibuca,,Brian Lima,John Senio ,Apenisa Naevo
CHIEFS
Tyler Arden,Mahonri Schwalger,Junior Poluleuligaga,Matt Symons,Asaeli Tikoirotuma
CRUSADERS
Marika Vunibaka,,Digby Ioane,Nemani Nadolo,Pablo Matera
HURRICANES
Kobus van Wyk,Inoke Afeaki,Sireli Bobo,Alapati Leiua,,Anthony Perenise ,Apisai NaikatiniThere probably is a lot more.
thats not actually that many people when you look at it, any from the Highlanders perspective there is years between Fumi and Himeno...so its not even that regular
Im annoyed...but not because i think the crusaders have done anything wrong...im just sick of them signing good players and winning almost everything!
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@shark said in 2021 Crusaders:
@chris said in 2021 Crusaders:
@kev said in 2021 Crusaders:
@stargazer said in 2021 Crusaders:
I don't think the Crusaders' backrow is half as bad as people are saying. But with Blackadder having relatively few caps for his age due to injury, Grace being 21 years and Christie 23 years old (the top tacler before he got injured, this season), the first choice backrow is pretty green.
Sanders has the expierence at 27, but also breaks regularly, and has been pretty good the last 2 seasons when he played.
Their depth has been lacking with Douglas going downhill since his first year when he replaced injured Kieran Read (2017?). Sione Havili is also only 23, but may not have the potential.
Signing Matera may be a masterstroke. Grace just can't play every game at his age and Matera is a great player he can learn from. In the mean time, Anton Segner and other youngsters coming through can learn as well, before they're thrown into the deep end.
Still not a fan of signing foreign players, but maybe there are not enough good NZ backrowers at the moment?
This is absolute bullshit. The NZRFU talk about looking after Clubs and Provinces yet every decision they make is other arrow to the heart of the clubs and provinces.
This is about another super franchise not wanting to do the hard work to win a competition with local talent. Our SR teams are for developing our players not for coaches to win competitions with foreign players. The NZRFU has lost touch with its communities and just spins corporate bullshit - because itâs now run by Businessmen who want to âgrow the gameâ and they always start at the top, with their trickle down theories. Every year itâs something new - private ownership of Super Rugby teams, Private ownership of the All Blacks.
Between elite school boy rugby, academies, U20 Super Sides, and foreign players the Club/ Province structures that made NZ different and stronger are being eroded. NZ rugby is now all about short term success and a chase for players at increasingly younger (starting with school boys ) ages - itâs the way of professional sport. This while the Provinces chase the crumbs by competing with each other for players and success. What they donât see is that their position is being eroded because their club and provincial competitions are being made redundant bit by bit with every decision. Itâs right there in front of them. Turkeys vote for Xmas all the time.
It happens every season now it seems, As far as my memory can remember these players all played for NZ teams when they were NZ ineligible,Which is want you are saying above as I understand it.
HIGHLANDERS
Kazuki Himeno,Fumiaki Tanaka,James Haskell,Vilimoni Delasau,Seru Rabeni ,Pingi Tala'apitaga
BLUES
Joe Marchant,Christian Califano,,Rupeni Caucaunibuca,,Brian Lima,John Senio ,Apenisa Naevo
CHIEFS
Tyler Arden,Mahonri Schwalger,Junior Poluleuligaga,Matt Symons,Asaeli Tikoirotuma
CRUSADERS
Marika Vunibaka,,Digby Ioane,Nemani Nadolo,Pablo Matera
HURRICANES
Kobus van Wyk,Inoke Afeaki,Sireli Bobo,Alapati Leiua,,Anthony Perenise ,Apisai NaikatiniThere probably is a lot more.
I don't recall many, if any, of those signings stirring up the same level of emotion as this one. Understandable, to a point. I'm not overly bothered by foreign signings when there is an apparent need at the franchise. Relative to the Read, McCaw, Todd days, we have a need at the moment and a one year contract such as this is a fair reflection of our current loose forward depth.
Looking at the tier down, there is very little potential SR quality and our current group includes young guys, a waning veteran and some injury magnets. So in the current circumstances I'm all good with this
Every foreign signing in the professional game is a big opportunity missed for a local player. There is no need to sign foreign players because we have lots of NZ talent. Itâs total bullshit and if the NZRFU were serious about club/ provincial rugby they would stop it. The fact the provinces donât jump up and down says a lot about how selfish they all about their own ambitions. Reminds me of George Orwellâs Animal Farm. The rules keep changing to suit the ambitions of those with power... never mind the peasants.
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@kev nah, that might have been true a good few years ago when our squads had depth but now they're all wafer thin and plenty of guys play SR who've barely even registered on the provincial scene, plus a heap of kids. And then you have an injury crisis which sees a retired 37 year old loose forward get drafted in. Not every available spot has to go to a kid, just because one is available. And not all are ready for it.
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@shark said in 2021 Crusaders:
@kev nah, that might have been true a good few years ago when our squads had depth but now they're all wafer thin and plenty of guys play SR who've barely even registered on the provincial scene, plus a heap of kids. And then you have an injury crisis which sees a retired 37 year old loose forward get drafted in. Not every available spot has to go to a kid, just because one is available. And not all are ready for it.
They sign the kids ahead of experienced players to stop other teams picking them - tough luck. They should play the players in their squads. There are more than enough players, they just want what they think (?) will be a better overseas player. Tough they should always have to select the next best NZ rugby player. Our teams are not setup to further the careers of overseas players or the careers of the coaches. Razor is a great coach, so no doubt he can make do.
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@stargazer said in 2021 Crusaders:
@higgins Yes, under World Rugby rules he is, but what are South Africa's selection rules? Do they pick players from overseas who've never played in South Africa?
They might given they relaxed the rules a couple of years ago and removed the 30 test cap requirement.
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@kev said in 2021 Crusaders:
@shark said in 2021 Crusaders:
@kev nah, that might have been true a good few years ago when our squads had depth but now they're all wafer thin and plenty of guys play SR who've barely even registered on the provincial scene, plus a heap of kids. And then you have an injury crisis which sees a retired 37 year old loose forward get drafted in. Not every available spot has to go to a kid, just because one is available. And not all are ready for it.
They sign the kids ahead of experienced players to stop other teams picking them - tough luck. They should play the players in their squads. There are more than enough players, they just want what they think (?) will be a better overseas player. Tough they should always have to select the next best NZ rugby player. Our teams are not setup to further the careers of overseas players or the careers of the coaches. Razor is a great coach, so no doubt he can make do.
Also far too simplistic. The experienced guys who are up to it are either already in SR squads, or they've gone oversees. Who can you name who's experienced and up to it but not getting selected in a squad??
