Hurricanes 2022
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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
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2022:
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).
That lineup looks ideal, using Sullivan's speed on the wing isn't a bad idea and it means Sullivan, PUJ, Barrett, Love can all fit into the starting side (whether that be at 10/15 for Love, 12 or 15 for Barrett).
Who'd we have on the bench in this case for impact? PUJ filled the super-sub role brilliantly, perhaps Morgan and Savea/Proctor?
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@Asterik6 I would ideally have Booth, Morgan and JSavea for impact off the bench. Savea is coming into a rich vein of form and he would
be perfect to bring on when things open up.At the end of the day it’s wishful thinking with this coach though. He seems to try everything apart from the obvious when it comes to player selection.
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2022:
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).
Just keep hoping our muppet coach won't return next season.
Not too worried whether Gibson or Kirifi play 7, both are top opensides - I'd have J.Barrett at 15, gives us a lot of experience at the back... have Sullivan in the midfield with Umaga-Jensen & put Rayasi at 14.
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@nzbloke said in Hurricanes 2022:
@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2022:
Just keep hoping our muppet coach won't return next season.
I haven't felt that strongly about this statement since the Hammett days
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2022:
@Asterik6 I would ideally have Booth, Morgan and JSavea for impact off the bench. Savea is coming into a rich vein of form and he would
be perfect to bring on when things open up.At the end of the day it’s wishful thinking with this coach though. He seems to try everything apart from the obvious when it comes to player selection.
Holland is an interesting case, I think he's technically a great attack coach, watch the Hurricanes runners in motion and setplay backline moves, I think their attacking systems under Holland are very good, they've just been let down by errors and lack of continuity, with lack of consistent go forward from the pack. If Holland can stick with a consistent XV, properly support and develop the talent coming through and Gibbes can get the forwards putting in a clinical 80 minutes without inevitably fading and losing their discipline again..
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Devan Flanders could be done for the season by the looks of his insta post.
On the back of Brayden Iose this isn’t good news at all. Good chance for TK Howden to get plenty of minutes, there’s also Tyler Laubsher to come back aswell.
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@Canes4life bugger! nice to know he's been at Brighton beach in Dunedin no doubt catching up with pal Fakatava
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@FakatavaFuture could be scoping out a
Highlanders contract for 2023… hmmm. 😂 -
@canefan said in Hurricanes 2022:
@nzbloke said in Hurricanes 2022:
@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2022:
Just keep hoping our muppet coach won't return next season.
I haven't felt that strongly about this statement since the Hammett days
Yeah, that's a very good comparison... makes it a nightmare for supporters when you have to basically worry more about your own coach than the opposition.
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Interesting indeed!
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Love this
And who’s that in the background? Please be a fit and firing Colesy.
