Super Rugby News
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<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. 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). <strong>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).</strong></p>
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<p>IMO Banks would have a better chance of taking the starting spot off Mounga than Sopoaga and Im sure he would back himself to do that if he went to the Crusaders. If i was in charge of the Crusaders I would much rather have him than Volavola or Mckenzie. As for the Blues, again he would be a good shot at overtaking West as first choice. However all this is just guessing because he might be perfectly happy being 2nd or 3rd choice at the Highlanders.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="571640" data-time="1460393500">
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<p>Some of the players I could possibly see moving overseas.</p>
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<p>I must say the NZRFU has done a very good job at keeping the talent. Hopefully it continues, but the likes of Pulu signing on is encouraging.</p>
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<p> I don't see Toomaga Allen going north, no T14 or Premiership coach would want to have a prop who can't scrum. I rate him highly in the other aspects of the game though.</p> -
<p>don't think I had seen it and cant be arsed trawling back to see if already mentioned....</p>
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<p>Blake Gibson likely to miss this weekend with a thumb injury, but in better news, Tanerau Latimer may be available to play should he make it through training tomorrow.</p> -
<p>gutting for him and the Blues, one of the few genuine shining lights of their campaign so far.</p>
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<p>That's too bad. I was hoping he would top the tackle and turnover count in Super Rugby in his first full season.</p>
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<p>On the bright side, he'll be available for the last 3 games of the season and Latimer looks to be coming back to full health.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="571776" data-time="1460481323">
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<p> I don't see Toomaga Allen going north, no T14 or Premiership coach would want to have a prop who can't scrum. I rate him highly in the other aspects of the game though.</p>
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<p>Selections can be funny in this area though. The Chiefs recruited Jamie Mackintosh.</p> -
<p>I'm just astounded by how poor (IMO highly subjective obviously) the Herald Writer's AB 1st XVs are: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11622408'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11622408</a></p>
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<p>As expected, the best selection comes from Nigel Yalden, who actually knows what he's talking about (remember he nailed the RWC squad, albeit probably with inside information). He does have Sopoaga ahead of Cruden (which I actually think is possible, despite the general opinion of this forum that Cruden is a 100% lock for 10)</p>
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<p>The rest I despair: Hansen has categorically stated McKenzie is not a wing...but several have McKenzie there, despite the fact he clearly seems to be a 15/10. Patrick Osbourne makes several selections. Devlin has Parsons at hooker (!), Faumuina starting TH, Taufua at 6, Jane at 11. Mulligan has the departing Vito at 6, and Dagg at 15 (based on what exactly...), and good old Wynne Gray (I honestly think he is pure gash for a senior rugby writer) has Taufua at 6, Osbourne at 11, and McKenzie at 14.</p>
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<p>Devlin, though, complete shocker.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="572201" data-time="1460608102">
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<p>Devlin has Parsons at hooker (!), <strong>Faumuina starting LH</strong>, Taufua at 6, Jane at 11. </p>
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<p>Fixed.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="572205" data-time="1460608487">
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<p>Fixed.</p>
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<p>Whoops! And my opinion of Devlin's rugby knowledge drops another few points...(I just assumed TH without really checking, because, well, I thought everyone knows Charlie plays TH)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="572201" data-time="1460608102">
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<p>I'm just astounded by how poor (IMO highly subjective obviously) the Herald Writer's AB 1st XVs are: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11622408'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11622408</a></p>
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<p>As expected, the best selection comes from Nigel Yalden, who actually knows what he's talking about (remember he nailed the RWC squad, albeit probably with inside information). He does have Sopoaga ahead of Cruden (which I actually think is possible, despite the general opinion of this forum that Cruden is a 100% lock for 10)</p>
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<p>The rest I despair: Hansen has categorically stated McKenzie is not a wing...but several have McKenzie there, despite the fact he clearly seems to be a 15/10. Patrick Osbourne makes several selections. Devlin has Parsons at hooker (!), Faumuina starting TH, Taufua at 6, Jane at 11. Mulligan has the departing Vito at 6, and Dagg at 15 (based on what exactly...), and good old Wynne Gray (I honestly think he is pure gash for a senior rugby writer) has Taufua at 6, Osbourne at 11, and McKenzie at 14.</p>
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<p>Devlin, though, complete shocker.</p>
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<p>Yeah, I saw that earlier and had a good laugh. It really says a hell of a lot about the Herald's staff when Ratpoo's picking one of the best XV's. Mulligan's a fool but wow, Devlin and Gray are idiots.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="572215" data-time="1460610168">
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<p>Yeah, it's pretty clear from his selections that Wynne Gray is an idiot.</p>
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<p>Well Gray did one a couple of weeks ago and it was clear he simply hadnt been watching rugby, at all.</p> -
<p>Oh God I can't believe how highly rated Patrick Osbourne is. Nothing against the guy but I hope he gets nowhere near a test jersey.</p>
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<p>On CGW Breakfast they were giving Mulls a hard time about his team being click bait in the realms of Twatson, Twattue and Treason.</p>
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<p>The search for the new Crusaders head coach begins ..<br>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">News</span></span><br><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>BNZ Crusaders to commence coach appointment process </strong></span></span><br><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Published: 15 April 2016 </span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The BNZ Crusaders are commencing the process to appoint a new Head Coach. The organisation is looking for a new Head Coach to replace Todd Blackadder, who is leaving at the end of the 2016 season after eight years in charge of the team.</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">BNZ Crusaders CEO Hamish Riach said the Board had this week agreed to commence the appointment process immediately.</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">“While we originally signaled that we would wait until the end of the 2016 Super Rugby season to start the process, it has been agreed between myself and the Board that it would be advantageous to open the application process now,†Mr Riach said.</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">“It has always been our intention to keep this process from becoming a distraction to the 2016 campaign, and after discussions with the current coaching and management team we feel assured that we can manage that risk, while also being able to better plan for the 2017 season if we bring this appointment process forward.â€</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Crusaders Chairman Grant Jarrold said: “We want to allow the best opportunity for the best applicants to put themselves forward for this job, and we are also mindful of creating as much certainty as possible for those currently involved with the team.</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">“We are excited to announce that an open and contestable process to appoint our next BNZ Crusaders Head Coach will begin immediately,†Mr Jarrold said.</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">For further information go to <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzru.co.nz/jobs'><span style="color:#0000FF;">www.nzru.co.nz/jobs</span></a>. Applications should be sent to <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='mailto:jobs@nzrugby.co.nz'><span style="color:#0000FF;">jobs@nzrugby.co.nz</span></a> be 5:00pm Wednesday 11 May 2016.</span></span></p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://crusaders.co.nz/news/940-bnz-crusaders-to-commence-coach-appointment-process'>http://crusaders.co.nz/news/940-bnz-crusaders-to-commence-coach-appointment-process</a></p>
