Super Rugby News
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="576527" data-time="1462235555">
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<p>Tony Pulu is a pretty good fullback and has a good kick on him but yeah, DMac would be a big loss.</p>
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<p>I see in the article on Stuff they mention that he turned down the Blues and Saders who offered him the 10 jersey. That news will put their current 10s on notice.</p>
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<p>I'd really like to see West get a run at fullback.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="576525" data-time="1462235156">
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<p>Chiefs media release about Damian McKenzie re-signing: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.chiefs.co.nz/news/news/latest-news/209-mckenzie-commits-to-gallagher-chiefs'>http://www.chiefs.co.nz/news/news/latest-news/209-mckenzie-commits-to-gallagher-chiefs</a></p>
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<p>The NZ Herald, the Official Blues fluffers, release about Damian McKenzie re-signing:</p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11632923'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11632923</a></p>
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<p>But don't worry, maybe he'll sign in 2019!</p>
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<p>God, the Herald is such shit. I mean really, how the fuck is McKenzie's decision a blow for the Blues when that was already a long shot anyway? Every year they pin all their hopes on the Blues somehow managing to sign <strike>Dan Carter</strike> <strike>Johnny Wilkinson</strike> <strike>Dan Carter</strike> <strike>Juan Martin Hernandez</strike> <strike>Dan Carter</strike> <strike>Beauden Barrett</strike> <strike>Aaron Cruden</strike> <strike>Beauden Barrett</strike> Damian McKenzie. They'd make the absolute worst poker players, ignoring all the simpler hands because they're constantly praying for a miracle hand.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="576719" data-time="1462315251"><p>The Herald were hardly Blues fluffers when they ran a concerted campaign to drum Kirwan out as coach.</p></blockquote>
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Why is that? Kirwan was bad for Blues rugby so the Herald wanted him gone! -
<p>why should they be immune to criticism?</p>
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<p>Tana at least seems to be trying to engage the stakeholders (Auckland, NH, Northland and fans) whereas Lam and SJK never did that, talked about it, but didn't do anything, while he is creeping along on the field, in a way it is probably better for Tana the rest of the NZ franchises are so strong too, makes him look better if the Blues win, and given more leeway if they lose - Lam and SJK never had the luxury of such strong NZ competition IMO</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="576690" data-time="1462299370">
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<p>The NZ Herald, the Official Blues fluffers, release about Damian McKenzie re-signing:</p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11632923'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11632923</a></p>
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<p>But don't worry, maybe he'll sign in 2019!</p>
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<p>God, the Herald is such shit. I mean really, how the fuck is McKenzie's decision a blow for the Blues when that was already a long shot anyway? Every year they pin all their hopes on the Blues somehow managing to sign <strike>Dan Carter</strike> <strike>Johnny Wilkinson</strike> <strike>Dan Carter</strike> <strike>Juan Martin Hernandez</strike> <strike>Dan Carter</strike> <strike>Beauden Barrett</strike> <strike>Aaron Cruden</strike> <strike>Beauden Barrett</strike> Damian McKenzie. They'd make the absolute worst poker players, ignoring all the simpler hands because they're constantly praying for a miracle hand.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="576690" data-time="1462299370">
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<p>The NZ Herald, the Official Blues fluffers, release about Damian McKenzie re-signing:</p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11632923'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11632923</a></p>
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<p>But don't worry, maybe he'll sign in 2019!</p>
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<p>God, the Herald is such shit. I mean really, how the fuck is McKenzie's decision a blow for the Blues when that was already a long shot anyway? Every year they pin all their hopes on the Blues somehow managing to sign <strike>Dan Carter</strike> <strike>Johnny Wilkinson</strike> <strike>Dan Carter</strike> <strike>Juan Martin Hernandez</strike> <strike>Dan Carter</strike> <strike>Beauden Barrett</strike> <strike>Aaron Cruden</strike> <strike>Beauden Barrett</strike> Damian McKenzie. They'd make the absolute worst poker players, ignoring all the simpler hands because they're constantly praying for a miracle hand.</p>
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<p>They are a bunch of clowns who do everything to bring us down. Sopoaga or Cruden to the Blues for next seasons rumour mill and then when it predictably doesn't happen, we'll get the 'No-one wants to play for the Blues' rubbish.</p> -
<p>Some more info about Hames' injury and his long road to recovery. Well done for staying in NZ and chasing his AB dream.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/79592919/chiefs-punt-paying-off-for-kane-hames-as-he-gets-another-shot-at-super-rugby'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/79592919/chiefs-punt-paying-off-for-kane-hames-as-he-gets-another-shot-at-super-rugby</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="577044" data-time="1462410052">
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<p>Some more info about Hames' injury and his long road to recovery. Well done for staying in NZ and chasing his AB dream.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/79592919/chiefs-punt-paying-off-for-kane-hames-as-he-gets-another-shot-at-super-rugby'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/79592919/chiefs-punt-paying-off-for-kane-hames-as-he-gets-another-shot-at-super-rugby</a></p>
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<p>Yeah especially as it looks like the Clan could do with his services, just as much as the Chiefs - suddenly he is in demand!</p> -
Fletcher Smith has been called into the Highlanders as a replacement for Hayden Parker.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SouthernMan" data-cid="577329" data-time="1462495752">
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<p>Fletcher Smith has been called into the Highlanders as a replacement for Hayden Parker.</p>
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<p>I can vaguely recall the name but not his performances for Otago. Can anyone down that way let us know if this is a worthy selection or just a sticking a pile of names into a barrel, giving it a shake and a blindfolded lucky dip, lets take the first name drawn out selection.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="577356" data-time="1462503476">
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<p>I can vaguely recall the name but not his performances for Otago. Can anyone down that way let us know if this is a worthy selection or just a sticking a pile of names into a barrel, giving it a shake and a blindfolded lucky dip, lets take the first name drawn out selection.</p>
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<p>The Highlanders tend to have there backup training squads from the next ranking players around Otago/ Southland.</p>
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<p>I know that the halfback they have had going to trainings 'just in case' has been the kid from the Stags who has only had one year of provincial. </p>
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<p>I guess that it is a good investment in looking at these guys early and if they come on they are more likely to get a signing but the drawback is that they are fairly inexperienced if actually needed.</p>
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<p>A couple of seasons ago a club prop teammate of my son had to suit up and acquitted himself OK.</p>
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<p>I would say that this Fletcher Smith is in that same boat. Cheap to have around. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="577365" data-time="1462505042">
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<p>The Highlanders tend to have there backup training squads from the next ranking players around Otago/ Southland.</p>
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<p>I know that the halfback they have had going to trainings 'just in case' has been the kid from the Stags who has only had one year of provincial. </p>
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<p>I guess that it is a good investment in looking at these guys early and if they come on they are more likely to get a signing but the drawback is that they are fairly inexperienced if actually needed.</p>
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<p>A couple of seasons ago a club prop teammate of my son had to suit up and acquitted himself OK.</p>
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<p>I would say that this Fletcher Smith is in that same boat. Cheap to have around. </p>
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<p>He's a bit better than that</p>
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<p>Another 10 to come out of Christchurch Boys High, NZ Secondary schools and I think NZ under 20.</p>
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<p>Played a year of club rugby in Chch before signing with Otago. </p>
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<p>Seen him play a few times and has plenty of promise. </p> -
<p>Can't say he was anything special from what I saw of him last year but that's not to say that he won't become a good player. Definitely not super rugby standard yet.</p>
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<p>Patrick Osborne has re-signed with the Highlanders for 2017, but has made himself available for the Fijian national team!<br>
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<p>The exciting wing has played 47 games for the Highlanders since his debut in 2014 and has formed a lethal partnership with fellow Fijian Waisake Naholo. Osborne will play for Japanese club Kubota Spears later this year before returning to Dunedin for the 2017 Investec Super Rugby season. He has made himself available for the Fijian national team in the June international window.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.superrugby.co.nz/News/29155/osborne-signs-with-the-highlanders'>http://www.superrugby.co.nz/News/29155/osborne-signs-with-the-highlanders</a></p> -
<p>Halfback Leon Fukofuka, has re-signed with the Crusaders for another two years.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://crusaders.co.nz/news/951-bnz-crusaders-name-team-for-the-southern-derby'>http://crusaders.co.nz/news/951-bnz-crusaders-name-team-for-the-southern-derby</a></p> -
<p>On the Fletcher Smith introduction to the squad. I'm happy with it, looking around the country there's no one better available. Plus I believe his skill set is superior to what Hayden Parker has to offer. He actually has some pace and is quite a bit bigger than Parker. If the two were up against each other during the Mitre 10 Cup, I would back Smith to have the starting spot by the end of the year.</p>
