Hurricanes 2022
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@tim said in Hurricanes 2022:
@gt12 said in Hurricanes 2022:
Landers would be best
Probably not a team to join if you want to be in a strong XV. Better chance to make ABs from other squads.
Yes and no. It doesn't seem to be hurting Fakatava chances. I'll say this - he'd had a much better chance that playing club rugby in Wellington. Either way, I think we'll see TUG in a black jersey before PUJ.
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@gt12 it's a complete mystery, the only thing Holland says on the matter is he loves the impact he brings from the bench. We know nothing otherwise.
I too wish our journos would probe this more, I mean he made the ABs, and played great, then since then he's been in & out of the team for 2 seasons.
The thing that's hard to fathom is that he's always excellent when he's on the field.
If Holland wasn't a complete dipshit and had any foresight we could develop a midfield of PUJ & Sullivan for the next 5 years. Sigh.
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@stargazer said in Hurricanes 2022:
Hurricanes in club rugby on Sat 9 April 2022:
Wellington club rugby
With only one team not named yet. Is there a Hurricanes Development team game that they haven't told us about?
Hurricanes have a game on Tuesday against MP.
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@darren said in Hurricanes 2022:
Anyone picking Savea over Rayasi might be suffering from a recent lobotomy. Even if he normally pays on the other wing.
Well after watching Cane/MP, I was just coming in here to say why I thought Rayasi misses out so much, boy he just looks to be completely not into whats happening in game so often, he frustrated the buggery out of me tonight.
To be honest I thought PUJ failed to prove any points about him being AB quality.
Just a couple of things that went through my mind as I was watching. -
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@arhs said in Hurricanes 2022:
@dan54 was thinking the same. Rayasi was poor and PUJ below his best too. Noticed a few upright ineffective tackle attempts. Tjp Prinsep Fidow Goosen Sullivan and Gibson all looked good to me.
The most important performers were the two locks IMO. Parsons and IWL brought to the Canes pack the power it was missing, and allowed their colleagues to look good.
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Here's some highlights of the Petone game from Saturday. Hurricanes development players Riley Higgins (12), Harry Godfrey (15) and Logan Henry (9) featuring prominently.
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Hopefully see the big dog soon.
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Holland’s ridiculous selections aside, what is the Hurricanes strongest 15 heading into the pointy end of the season?
I’d like this side to trot out against the Reds next week but doubt it will eventuate.
- Pouri Rakete-Stones
- Asafo Aumua
- Tyrel Lomax
- Isaia Walker-Leawere (his size is a huge asset to our pack, about time we removed the liability that is James Blackwell)
- Scott Scrafton
- TK Howden (offers so much more than Prinsep. He’s more physical, has a higher skillset, he’s taller - yes he’s less experienced but he played very well in his debut against the Crusaders, he’s a natural 6.)
- Blake Gibson (I’d prefer him over Kirifi especially how he played against the Highlanders, he’s less of a penalty magnet aswell).
- Ardie Savea
- TJ Perenara
- Ruben Love (offers more zip than Garden-Bachop, especially on attack. Deserves a good run in the ten jersey).
- Wes Goosen (would prefer Goosen over Rayasi, has a higher work rate)
- Jordie Barrett
- Peter Umaga-Jensen
- Bailyn Sullivan (would love to see him have a go on the wing. His try last night proved he can be a great finisher, he’s got more gas than Savea aswell which we need).
- Josh Moorby (was a little rusty last night but I’m happy if we persist with Moorby).
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@canes4life The strongest backrow would probably be 6. Howden, 7 Savea, 8 Flanders, but it will never happen because Ardie automatically gets the 8 jersey. If fit, I'd pick Flanders over Howden, even at 6.
Ruben Love is the best of the 10s but still very, very average at this stage. He's in his 2nd season and doesn't show as much progress as you'd expect. That's in part due to the inconsistent selections at 10 (JGB/Love/Morgan) and inconsistent position of Love (10/fullback). He needs a good NPC season, consistently playing at 10 and at 10 alone. It's also in part due to the change of players next to him in the 9 and 12 jersey, and how those players perform.
Aumua needs to up his game. He's been a bit disappointing. Coles can't come back soon enough, but the question is how long he'll last.
PUJ has a bit the same problem as Love: he's been reasonably disappointing but has got so little game time and starts, that he hasn't really had much chance to string games together and improve. Sullivan on the other hand, has also had inconsistent game time and few starts, but shows something every time he plays. Because the coach loves the Bus and starts him regularly, the 13 jersey should then go to Sullivan, with PUJ on the bench. Sullivan at the moment offers more than PUJ. But we all know he'll pick Proctor ... If the Bus doesn't start, there's room for both PUJ and Sullivan in the starting XV, moving Bailyn out to 14.
Goosen and Rayasi, both aren't ideal. Goosen doesn't have Rayasi's physicality and size; Rayasi doesn't have Goosen's work rate. I agree that - at the moment - Goosen seems the better choice until Rayasi gets that he needs to do more.
Moorby definitely best at 15 if Jordie doesn't play there. Still pretty green though.
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@canes4life said in Hurricanes 2022:
- Blake Gibson (I’d prefer him over Kirifi especially how he played against the Highlanders, he’s less of a penalty magnet aswell).
If I’ve counted correctly he has four starts and zero bench appearances. I think that makes sense, he’s either in the 15 or outside of the 23. There are better bench options than him
He could provide the experience that Holland likes from Prinsep but he’s a better player. That opens up space for those more dynamic 6 options the Canes do have
Good to see Gibson stay healthy for a few games in a row. Still way down on his form from a few years ago when he trained with the ABs though
Interesting to note he signed a new deal with Auckland. I assumed he’d complete his one year with the Canes then go offshore. Maybe the Canes intend to re-sign him?
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@canes4life said in Hurricanes 2022:
- Peter Umaga-Jensen
- Bailyn Sullivan (would love to see him have a go on the wing. His try last night proved he can be a great finisher, he’s got more gas than Savea aswell which we need)
I’d have these guys around the other way. Sullivan has strong form as a centre but PUJ has been a bit disconnected on defence and attack. I think PUJ could get himself back in form playing as a finisher
