Super Rugby News
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="571531" data-time="1460343531">
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<p>Good signing. Apparently the Blues are after SBW too. Add a lock and a reserve hooker, and there's a lot of promise there. <strong>Then it all comes down to 10.</strong></p>
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<p> twas ever thus</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="571515" data-time="1460340745">
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<p>Augustine Pulu has signed with the Blues for 2017. Good move for both parties.</p>
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<p>who is leaving or are they letting go...would think Hall or Guyton?</p>
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<p>They have Hall, Guyton, Nock signed at present (with the latter signing for 3 seasons)</p> -
<p>Just had a bit of a look at which players are coming off contract after the 2016 Super Rugby season. It's probably not a complete list & I may have missed a (re-)signing, but there are some interesting players who have yet to commit for the next season(s):</p>
<p> </p>
<div>Barrett, Beauden - Hurricanes</div>
<div>Barrett, Scott - Crusaders</div>
<div>Brown, Jed - Crusaders</div>
<div>Buckman, Richard - Highlanders</div>
<div>Ellis, Andy - Crusaders</div>
<div>Ellison, Tamati - Rebels</div>
<div>Evans, Gareth - Highlanders</div>
<div>Fruean, Robbie - Crusaders</div>
<div>Goodes, Reggie - Hurricanes</div>
<div>Graham, Mitchell - Chiefs</div>
<div>Guildford, Zac - Waratahs</div>
<div>Havili, David - Crusaders</div>
<div>Horrell, Andrew - Chiefs</div>
<div>Latimer, Tanerau - Blues</div>
<div>Mathewson, Alby - Force</div>
<div>McKenzie, Marty - Crusaders</div>
<div>Mo’unga, Richie - Crusaders</div>
<div>NgÄtai, Charlie - Chiefs</div>
<div>Perry, Tim - Crusaders</div>
<div>Ranger, Rene - Blues</div>
<div>Romano, Luke - Crusaders</div>
<div>Savea, Ardie - Hurricanes</div>
<div>Shields, Brad - Hurricanes</div>
<div>Tamanivalu, Seta - Chiefs</div>
<div>Taylor, Codie - Crusaders</div>
<div>Tongia, Ryan - Highlanders?</div>
<div>Toomaga-Allen, Jeffrey - Hurricanes</div>
<div>Volavola, Ben - Crusaders</div>
<div>West, Ihaia - Blues</div>
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<div>Edit:</div>
<div>Number of players per NZ team:</div>
<div>Blues: 3</div>
<div>Chiefs: 4</div>
<div>Crusaders: 11</div>
<div>Hurricanes: 5</div>
<div>Highlanders: 3</div>
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<div>I'm now sure I'm missing players on this list. Particularly, my info on Highlanders signings is limited. I think Tongia is free after this season, but not sure about other players.</div> -
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<div>Barrett, Beauden - Hurricanes</div>
<div>Barrett, Scott - Crusaders</div>
Graham, Mitchell - Chiefs
<div>Horrell, Andrew - Chiefs</div>
NgÄtai, Charlie - Chiefs
<div>Perry, Tim - Crusaders</div>
<div>Romano, Luke - Crusaders</div>
<p>Taylor, Codie - Crusaders</p>
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<p>All potential recruits for the Blues.</p> -
<p>We've been there for the last 5 seasons in a row.</p>
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<p>Pulu is a nice signing and a massive upgrade at halfback. Not too surprised he's coming though, as he was coming off contract and expressed his desire to be here, but regardless, nice to see it confirmed.</p>
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<p>Both Hall and Guyton should be replaced TBH, because I doubt those two can fix their woeful passing at their age, especially Guyton. Pulu replaces Hall and sign Fukofuka to replace Guyton. Maybe even throw a WTG contract out to young Jonathan Taumateine if his form warrants it. This would spruce up a weak position quite nicely.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="571564" data-time="1460348674">
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<p>2017 backline? Perhaps:<br><br>
9. Pulu<br>
10. Barrett (not happening)<br>
11. Moala<br>
12. SBW<br>
13. Ioane<br>
14. Nanai/Ranger<br>
15. West<br><br>
May as well give us the tite now.</p>
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<p>Only disappointment can come from writing such line-ups.</p>
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<p>I like Ioane at centre. I think he's definitely going to move there in the future. He's already ended the last 3 games at centre.</p>
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<p>I'd have Trainor at fullback myself. I just hope Waikato play Trainor at fullback and not wing in the ITM Cup this year.</p>
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<p>Barrett is definitely not coming, but it wouldn't hurt to try one more time. :yes: </p> -
<p>Wouldn't be surprised if Hall moves on now that Pulu is signed. Guyton seems the type who's just happy to have an opportunity to play at Super Rugby level, where as I can't see Hall sticking around playing 2nd fiddle at this time in his career.</p>
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I doubt Richard Buckman would leave the Highlanders for any other franchise, he would have had the 12 Jersey all year if her wasn't injured. As for the other Magpies. The word I'm hearing is that Gareth Evans is very frustrated with a lack of game time and a North Island franchise is circling. Haven't heard anything about Tongia, but at the moment he would be stupid to stick around, when he performs well and doesn't get selected.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SouthernMan" data-cid="571575" data-time="1460354970">
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<p>I doubt Richard Buckman would leave the Highlanders for any other franchise, he would have had the 12 Jersey all year if her wasn't injured. As for the other Magpies. The word I'm hearing is that Gareth Evans is very frustrated with a lack of game time and a North Island franchise is circling. Haven't heard anything about Tongia, but at the moment he would be stupid to stick around, when he performs well and doesn't get selected.</p>
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<p>Yes, I also can't imagine the Highlanders <em>not</em> signing Buckman for a few more seasons. I was surprised they re-signed him only for one season, last year.</p>
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<p>Hmmm, which NI franchise needs a 7 or 8? Which team has backrowers leaving/retiring at the end of the season? Vito is going, but the Canes seem to have plenty of options there. Unless Shields decides to move on. I don't think Ardie will go anywhere. How are the Chiefs' and Blues' stocks?</p>
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<p>I kind of like the idea of Tongia replacing Jane at the Canes, but the latter is still signed until 2017 and they already have Proctor. Don't think the Chiefs or Blues need outside backs? That leaves the Crusaders, who do need at least one new winger. Not sure whether he wants to leave NZ and go back to Aussi, considering he's said multiple times how much he likes being here and his partner is from Hawke's Bay. I just can't figure out why he doesn't get game time at the Landers. I'm convinced he's better than Faddes & Wilson. He's also one of the fastest backs playing in NZ.</p>
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<p>Do you know whether Ash Dixon is signed for next season? He came to the Landers at the same time as Edmonds. Edmonds has re-signed, but I can't find anything about Dixon.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="571580" data-time="1460357794">
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<p>What is the status of marty banks' contract? Inwould be trying to poach him if i was tana or the crusaders.</p>
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<p>Banks signed with the Highlanders in Oct 2014. I assume that was for 2 years as the Highlanders rarely seem to sign players for longer than 1 or 2 years. So that would mean he comes off contract after this season.</p>
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<p>I'm not sure the Crusaders will be interested as they've overlooked him the last few years (after he was in their WTG in 2013). And who would he replace? Surely not Mo'unga, who's looking to become a really good 10 with plenty of potential. That leaves Havili, Marty McKenzie and Ben Volavola, who are all waiting in line for a bench spot or as injury replacement (Dagg is signed until 2017).</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="571582" data-time="1460358314">
<div>Hmmm, which NI franchise needs a 7 or 8? Which team has backrowers leaving/retiring at the end of the season? Vito is going, but the Canes seem to have plenty of options there. Unless Shields decides to move on. I don't think Ardie will go anywhere. How are the Chiefs' and Blues' stocks?</div>
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<p>The Chiefs loosie stocks seem pretty good to me. About the only one who is a bit of an "eh" is Koloamatangi because he's injured for 90% of every bloody season.</p>
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<p>In fact, I'd probably only make a few changes to the Chiefs squad. Maybe SBW (instead of Horrell), a third halfback and another loosie?</p>
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<p>How long's Jordan Trainor signed with the Blues, by the way? I was hoping the Chiefs would be able to lure him back down highway one at some point.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="571588" data-time="1460360610">
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<p>The Chiefs loosie stocks seem pretty good to me. About the only one who is a bit of an "eh" is Koloamatangi because he's injured for 90% of every bloody season.</p>
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<p>In fact, I'd probably only make a few changes to the Chiefs squad. Maybe SBW (instead of Horrell), a third halfback and another loosie?</p>
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<p><strong>How long's Jordan Trainor signed with the Blues, by the way? I was hoping the Chiefs would be able to lure him back down highway one at some point.</strong></p>
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<p>No chance of Trainor coming back anytime soon, he's signed up until 2019. </p>
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<p>I bet the Blues couldn't believe their luck that he was available to sign this year. I bet they thought he was a goner to the Chiefs for a long time. The Chiefs probably thought no team would touch him this season because he only played one ITM Cup game, but he's rated highly over here, so no way were we going to miss the chance to take him back.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="571585" data-time="1460359409">
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<p>Banks signed with the Highlanders in Oct 2014. And who would he replace? Surely not Mo'unga, who's looking to become a really good 10 with plenty of potential. That leaves Havili, Marty McKenzie and Ben Volavola, who are all waiting in line for a bench spot or as injury replacement (Dagg is signed until 2017).</p>
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<p>Ben Volavola is the obvious one. He will never be eligible to represent the All Blacks given his international appearances last year for Fiji, thus he offers nothing of value to the funders of his salary, the NZRFU. </p>
