Super Rugby News

Canes4life

The Blues are starting to piece together a very tidy side for next year. Talk about firepower.
 
I hate to say it but imagine if they were able to nab Barrett.

Chris B.

How did Tony Woodcock learn to be such a good prop without going to the Crusaders?
 
Bloody poaching, pass-the-chequebook North Island teams - seems like they're angling to defect to the French competition!

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="585612" data-time="1465354955">
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Hodgeman is a good signing, way better scrummager than the blues current options at loosehead
 
(he also has a high workrate, which blues fans will probably find more appealing) ;)
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That is a very good signing. I was hoping for a while that we would go for him as he is wasted playing week in week out for Linwood.

Stargazer

Bit of a random thought: it's remarkable how the Blues have been announcing these new signings recently, but you don't hear anything from the other teams signing new players (only re-signing). The Canes are losing at least 5 players, the Crusaders 6, the Highlanders and Chiefs (if you count SBW) at least 3. And those are the one's that have been made public (officially), there may be more. 
 
Are the Blues just more active in signing new players before they are locked in by other teams? Or are they just doing it more openly to assure their fans that they are working on a stronger squad for next year, because this year's campaign hasn't been a success and they want to keep the fans interested? 
 
I can see why the Highlanders & Crusaders are maybe slower in signing new players because they want to give their new head coach a say in the hiring & the firing, but that doesn't apply to the Chiefs and Canes.
The list of players with contracts ending in 2016 is still quite long, too ...

Tim

The Blues can't make the playoffs, so it isn't crucial to avoid such distractions? Perhaps it gives some motivation for the last two games, as players may be playing for their places?

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="585643" data-time="1465368872">
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Bit of a random thought: it's remarkable how the Blues have been announcing these new signings recently, but you don't hear anything from the other teams signing new players (only re-signing). The Canes are losing at least 5 players, the Crusaders 6, the Highlanders and Chiefs (if you count SBW) at least 3. And those are the one's that have been made public (officially), there may be more. 
 
Are the Blues just more active in signing new players before they are locked in by other teams? Or are they just doing it more openly to assure their fans that they are working on a stronger squad for next year, because this year's campaign hasn't been a success and they want to keep the fans interested? 
 
I can see why the Highlanders & Crusaders are maybe slower in signing new players because they want to give their new head coach a say in the hiring & the firing, but that doesn't apply to the Chiefs and Canes.
The list of players with contracts ending in 2016 is still quite long, too ...
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I guess with the Blues finals hopes almost gone-skies you could say that they are able to make signings more public and it wont have to much of a bearing on the current crop of players in the Blues squad.
 
Whereas if the other four N.Z. teams started making their signings public at this stage in the season then it may prevent the current squad members from putting in their full effort this year knowing that they may not have a spot in the side next year. (If that makes sense)
 
I notice that most franchises make a move on players at the back end of the Mitre 10 Cup. We usually start hearing about signings in October so I wouldn't worry too much about the likes of the Crusaders and Canes at this stage.

taniwharugby

Confirmed: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11653637'>Bryns a Crusaders</a>

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="585859" data-time="1465446493">
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Confirmed: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11653637'>Bryns a Crusaders</a>
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Hopefully he can hit his straps at the Crusaders. Probably suits their style of play more than he does at the Blues tbh.

Stargazer

Tweet from Nigel Yalden: "Super Rugby over 4 @Chiefsrugby Johan Bardoul (fractured ankle) & Glen Fisiiahi (knee) @BOPRugby outside back Monty Ioane replaces Fisiiahi"
 
Edited to add this link: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/80932270/chiefs-suffer-injury-blows-as-glen-fisiiahi-and-johan-bardoul-ruled-out-for-season'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/80932270/chiefs-suffer-injury-blows-as-glen-fisiiahi-and-johan-bardoul-ruled-out-for-season</a>

Stargazer

The Reds have signed George Smith for 2017 and 2018.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/reds/queensland-reds-sign-former-wallabies-breakaway-george-smith-20160609-gpfxtr.html '>http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/reds/queensland-reds-sign-former-wallabies-breakaway-george-smith-20160609-gpfxtr.html </a>

Higgins

Not injured yet but possibly might be this time on Saturday.
The following have been listed as starters in club rugby here in Wellington tomorrow. Good to see them not being hidden away and being made available for their club teams
 
Old Boys-University v Upper Hutt - Jason Woodward at centre for Upper Hutt with Ben May (No and Wes Goosen (centre) for OBU
 
Johnsonville v Old Boys-University 2nd XV - Te Tairoa Tahuriorangi and Chris Eves are both down to start for Johnsonville
 
Poneke v Oriental-Rongotai - Reg Goodes (loosehead) and Willis Haloholo at centre for Poneke whilst Roy Kinikinilau laces up his boots to take on Haloholo.
 
Tawa v Marist-St Patricks - Hisa Sasagi fronts at tighthead for Tawa with Loni Uhila doing likewise for MSP. Victor Vito is also listed to start for MSP at No 8 whilst non Hurricane Shaun Treeby will be making a start at second five for Tawa.
 
Petone v Marist-St Patricks 2nd XV - Both Brad Shields and James Blackwell front for Petone at blindside and lock respectively.
 
There could be others getting a run that have not been named at this stage (eg Vaea Fifita fronted last week for Wellington despite not being listed as a starter on clubrugby.co.nz) so fans might be in for a bit of a treat with all these professionals showing what they are capable of.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="586115" data-time="1465535894">
Not injured yet but possibly might be this time on Saturday. 
The following have been listed as starters in club rugby here in Wellington tomorrow. Good to see them not being hidden away and being made available for their club teams 
 Old Boys-University v Upper Hutt - Jason Woodward at centre for Upper Hutt with Ben May (No and Wes Goosen (centre) for OBU 
 Johnsonville v Old Boys-University 2nd XV - Te Tairoa Tahuriorangi and Chris Eves are both down to start for Johnsonville 
 Poneke v Oriental-Rongotai - Reg Goodes (loosehead) and Willis Haloholo at centre for Poneke whilst Roy Kinikinilau laces up his boots to take on Haloholo. 
 Tawa v Marist-St Patricks - Hisa Sasagi fronts at tighthead for Tawa with Loni Uhila doing likewise for MSP. Victor Vito is also listed to start for MSP at No 8 whilst non Hurricane Shaun Treeby will be making a start at second five for Tawa. 
 Petone v Marist-St Patricks 2nd XV - Both Brad Shields and James Blackwell front for Petone at blindside and lock respectively. 
 There could be others getting a run that have not been named at this stage (eg Vaea Fifita fronted last week for Wellington despite not being listed as a starter on clubrugby.co.nz) so fans might be in for a bit of a treat with all these professionals showing what they are capable of. 
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This is from the Dominion Post: 

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Hurricanes players released to play club rugby on Saturday:
 
Wellington: Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Victor Vito (Marist St Pats); Wes Goosen (Old Boys University); Reggie Goodes, Willis Halaholo (Poneke); Hisa Sasagi (Tawa); Jason Woodward (Upper Hutt Rams); Peter Umaga-Jensen (Wainuiomata); Vaea Fifita (Wellington); Brad Shields, James Blackwell (Petone); Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Johnsonville). Withdrawn due to injury: Ben May (OBU), Loni Uhila (MSP) Hawke's Bay: Geoff Cridge (Hastings Rugby and Sport), Mark Abbott (Napier Old Boys Marist), Ricky Riccitelli (Havelock North). Manawatu: Chris Eves (Kia Toa), Callum Gibbins (Varsity), Otere Black (College Old Boys).
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 <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/80939221/hurricanes-players-released-to-play-club-rugby.html'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/80939221/hurricanes-players-released-to-play-club-rugby.html</a>

Higgins

I like to think I keep reasonably up to date with things rugby but seem to have missed the news that Peter Umaga-Jensen is a Hurricane. Hopefully Canes4Life will be able to point me in the right direction re this happening. Also noticeable that the mysterious Hugh Renton has not been released to play nor included in the "unavailable because of injury" category. There seems to be no valid reason behind this as he cannot possible be fatigued or overworked. Perhaps he has been awarded Life Membership in the "unavailable because of injury" ranks and it does not need to be proffered as the reason why he is not able to play?

Canes4life

I read somewhere not too long ago that Plumtree was excited yo work with the kid so that says it all really. 
Id say Peter Umaga Jensen is 99% garaunteed a spot in the Canes next year. He is already in the environment and has been killing it for Wanui scoring something like 7 tries in 3 games over the last three weeks. He is carrying that impressive strike rate from school rugby. Still only 18 aswell. 
He will bring so much more to the side than boring old James Marshall. 
A back three of 11. Julian Savea 14 Nehe Milner Skudder 15. Peter Umaga Jensen will be deadly in years to come.

Higgins

Well if John Plumtree is allegedly excitedly to work with the guy why then is he not getting selected to play, which is what he is getting paid for? It is taken that he is finally not injured given by his absence in the not released because of injury list. Interesting to note that he is also not listed as starting for either his Club's first or second XVs so how can he justify receiving his salary when he is hardly ever available for, nor selected for, either his club team nor the team he is drawing a decent salary from (Hurricanes). Either he is a player or he isn't. There is very little evidence to show he is actually a player other than the wages returns from the NZRFU sent to the Inland Revenue Department.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="586712" data-time="1465652260">
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Well if John Plumtree is allegedly excitedly to work with the guy why then is he not getting selected to play, which is what he is getting paid for? It is taken that he is finally not injured given by his absence in the not released because of injury list. Interesting to note that he is also not listed as starting for either his Club's first or second XVs so how can he justify receiving his salary when he is hardly ever available for, nor selected for, either his club team nor the team he is drawing a decent salary from (Hurricanes). Either he is a player or he isn't. There is very little evidence to show he is actually a player other than the wages returns from the NZRFU sent to the Inland Revenue Department. 
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Peter Umaga-Jensen doesn't have a Hurricanes contract; not even WTG, so he doesn't get paid. I think he's just in that Hurricanes development group where you find a lot of Mitre 10 Cup level players from the catchment area. Don't think he's any different from players like Jonah Lowe, Mason Emerson, Trent Boswell-Wakefield (to name a few from the Bay) who have played for the Hurricanes development team this year. He'll also be competing with Lowe and Emerson for next year's contracts. Umaga-Jensen has signed his first contract with Wellington Rugby only late last year/early this year; has he even played one single ITM Cup game?

Higgins

i was not referring to Peter Umaga-Jensen (who I watched play yesterday and was impressed with his ability to break tackles with powerful running and subtle hip swerves) but specifically Hugh Renton who is getting paid and very seldom plays for anyone. Incidentally, HB fan that you are Stargazer, Marvan Karawana also played in the game and again did nothing to indicate how he was ever given a HB contract a couple of seasons back. One special missed tackle on the Fijian guy that played in the Heartland Championship at 2nd five for Buller that resulted in a try was rather reminiscent of those nightmaresh days for us Bay supporters.

hydro11

The situation is that you need to sign up young players because if you don't someone else will. That's why all these people are given contracts even though they clearly aren't the best players.

Higgins

Well then there is very little wonder reasonably good players head off overseas when they are overlooked for young players of potential rather than players that are actually proven to be better than them. Willis Haloholo only recently a good example of this. I watched him play for his club Saturday week ago and whilst he did not get all that much involved (play really did not go his way that much) when he did he ran beautiful lines at speed and timed his passes perfectly. I have not really been a fan of his but after watching him closely I have to say he has gone up in my opinion. Strange that he would probably have been overlooked by the Hurricanes next season for the next promising young whizzkid when someone overseas is prepared to pay good money to get their hands on him.

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="586865" data-time="1465681332">
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i was not referring to Peter Umaga-Jensen (who I watched play yesterday and was impressed with his ability to break tackles with powerful running and subtle hip swerves) but specifically Hugh Renton who is getting paid and very seldom plays for anyone. Incidentally, HB fan that you are Stargazer, Marvan Karawana also played in the game and again did nothing to indicate how he was ever given a HB contract a couple of seasons back. One special missed tackle on the Fijian guy that played in the Heartland Championship at 2nd five for Buller that resulted in a try was rather reminiscent of those nightmaresh days for us Bay supporters.
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I always did think it odd that given HBs standing compared to Northland those few years back, that Karawana couldnt get a contract up here, yet could in HB!

The Silver Fern

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