Crusaders 2022
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@stargazer He must be 20 or 21.
I haven't heard any news, but he might be injured. If not, he'll likely make an appearance in this weekend's friendly.
He was named in the original squad - and Willie Havili wasn't - but, Willie is playing and Campbell isn't.
He's the closest to being someone who has been talked up as having a biggish future that I've heard.
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@stargazer To be honest, one of your Hawkes Bay boys seems a better option than Fergus Burke. A bit harsh on a young guy, but Fergus doesn't look like he's got a massive ceiling to me.
But, what would I know - people were raving about a young Dan Carter and I was reserving judgement!
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@chris-b Speaking of Hawke's Bay 10s: the Crusaders never used Caleb Makene at 10 while he was there, did they? Only wing and fullback? I was quite surprised to see him going that well at 10 for us, last year. He has been unlucky to get a leg injury when with the HIghlanders this year and he's now in the queue in the Bay (also because Falcon returned for the season). It will be interesting to see if he or Falcon gets a start against Canterbury this weekend. You'd have to think McClutchie gets a rest as he has played 80+ minutes every game.
I wonder whether the Highlanders have re-signed Makene, esp after Josh Ioane's departure but with Koroi returning.
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Why wasn't Josh McKay developed into a first five? Wasn't he a star at schoolboy level and then didn't really get an opportunity with Canterbury?
He could be that guy that got away.
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@stargazer said in Crusaders 2022:
@chris How old is Campbell Parata? I expected him in the Ta$man squad this year, but he isn't. People were raving about him when he first came into the academy, but I haven't heard much since.
Campbell played in the warm up games for Ta$man and looked really good,But hasn't featured in the NPC.
He would be the pick of the young First fives and could have a big future.But with no NPC form to show it's a big call to throw him into SR.
If I was taking a punt ant developing a young player I would go with him,He has some X factor about him. -
@canes4life said in Crusaders 2022:
Why wasn't Josh McKay developed into a first five? Wasn't he a star at schoolboy level and then didn't really get an opportunity with Canterbury?
He could be that guy that got away.
Yeah he was a really good First five at schoolboy level ,then ended up at FB for some reason.
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@stargazer I'm sure he never did for Ta$man, because I was surprised to see him there for HB. We would have had Banks and Hunt while he was here, I think.
Pretty doubtful he would have for the Crusaders , but who knows what goes on during pre-season type games. You'd think they'd have had specialist options at 1st five.
He might have for Canterbury?
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@Chris-B With 4 All Black Locks penned in for 2022 and if the rumours that Luke Ramano is heading to the Blues are true , which young lock would you like to see signed..?
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@steven-harris Josh Lord!
We can afford to play a waiting game with whomever we pick, because he won't get many minutes.
The eventual big need is going to be a replacement for Sam Whitelock's height - so I'd like to see us pick someone 2.00+ metres.
I don't think any of the Mako boys are that big and seems Gallagher isn't either.
But, if there's no-one who fits the bill right now, then maybe Gallagher or Shalfoon and keep the tall kids in the WTG/academies for another year.
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@stargazer said in Crusaders 2022:
@bovidae That's what I was thinking; they have taller players in their academy, but he's been on the fringes.
Who else do they have? Gallagher is tall enough (1.98 m IIRC) but has some meat on the bones for a young player. Hannah, as a comparison, is a beanpole.
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@bovidae In Crusaders Academy (I've only looked at height, because they don't mention positions):
Zach Gallagher 1.95m
Tom Thornalley 1.95m
Jamie Hannah 1.96m
Fiti Sa 1.98m
Mahonri Ngakuru 1.99mOf course, there's always Geoff Cridge 2.00m, who trained with them during preseason early this year and is having another great NPC season.
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@chris-b Crusaders would turn Lord into something special .
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@steven-harris Whoever has him will pretty quickly add 10kgs to his frame.
It's good to see a 2.02 metre player coming through. Guys with that height, necessary athleticism and aggression and who aren't injury magnets aren't easy to find.
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@steven-harris said in Crusaders 2022:
@chris-b Crusaders would turn Lord into something special .
I wish I could tag Brodie Retallick and the Chiefs coaches in this reply.
I’m not saying you are wrong, just that they have that challenge.
We’ve done OK with Vaa’i though.
