Super Rugby News

Daffy Jaffy

From stuff.
Blues loose forward Tanerau Latimer has signed a two-year deal with French club Bayonne.
The five-test All Black will head to France for the start of the new season later this year, bringing to an end his second spell of rugby in New Zealand.
The 30-year-old has been a regular starter at openside flanker for the Blues this season and was lured back this year from Japan by Tana Umaga, where he was playing for Toshiba Brave Lupins.
However, his second stint in New Zealand has proved to be a brief one, with Bayonne confirming he's committed to them for the next two seasons.
He will join another former Blues and All Blacks player, lock Tom Donnelly, at Bayonne.
 
-- While Latimer has been solid for them, I think the Blues are well covered at 7 with Gibson, the fast improving Pryor and Jack Ram who hasn't had a look in this season but is more than capable of operating at super rugby level.

SouthernMan

The Highlanders aren't fearful of their next two opponents, here's their squad to go to South Africa and Argentina. No All Blacks.

Aki Seiuli
Greg Pleasants-Tate
Josh Hohneck 4. Mark Reddish
Joe Wheeler
Gareth Evans
Shane Christie
Luke Whitelock
Te Aihe Toma
Marty Banks
Ryan Tongia
Rob Thompson
Jason Emery
Jack Wilson
Matt Faddes
Ash Dixon
Daniel Lienert-Brown
Ross Geldenhuys
Dan Pryor
Jamie Booth
Fletcher Smith
Teihorangi Walden
Patrick Osborne
Tom Franklin
Siosiua Halanukonuka

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SouthernMan" data-cid="591354" data-time="1466816264">
<div>
The Highlanders aren't fearful of their next two opponents, here's their squad to go to South Africa and Argentina. No All Blacks.

Aki Seiuli
Greg Pleasants-Tate
Josh Hohneck
Mark Reddish
Joe Wheeler
Gareth Evans
Shane Christie
Luke Whitelock
Te Aihe Toma
Marty Banks
Ryan Tongia
Rob Thompson
Jason Emery
Jack Wilson
Matt Faddes
Ash Dixon
Daniel Lienert-Brown
Ross Geldenhuys
Dan Pryor
Jamie Booth
Fletcher Smith
Teihorangi Walden
Patrick Osborne
Tom Franklin
Siosiua Halanukonuka
</div>
</blockquote>
 
From an article on the stuff website::
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
 
Joseph will be hoping his All Black contingent are also fit after Saturday's night's third test with Wales in Dunedin, with two of Elliot Dixon, Liam Squire, Waisake Naholo and Lima Sopoaga to be added to the tour party, fitness permitting.
<div> </div>
<div>Ben Smith and Malakai Fekitoa join Aaron Smith in missing the South African trip but they are scheduled to join the squad in Buenos Aires for the final leg of their road trip against the Jaguares.</div>
</blockquote>
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/81409619/highlanders-name-three-new-backs-for-south-african-trip'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/81409619/highlanders-name-three-new-backs-for-south-african-trip</a>

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="591224" data-time="1466767056">
<div>
Because he played well for Auckland in the ITM Cup, and could be part of Tana Umaga's plan for the next few years?
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Hes been brilliant for the Canes this year. The best signing we've had in a while. Why would he risk losing what hes built with the Canes. He obviously suits our style of play!! And i'm sure he would be loyal to a franchise that actually were willing to sign him in the first place.

Tim

Wasn't he only signed to the wider training group for the Hurricanes?

taniwharugby

BLues gonna take another run at BB
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11663422'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11663422</a>
 
Blues looking to make another offer for Barrett
<div style="margin:0px 0px 10px;color:rgb(171,171,171);font-family:Calibri, Candara, Segoe, 'Segoe UI', Optima, Arial, sans-serif;">4:56 PM Saturday Jun 25, 2016</div>
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<div style="margin:0px 0px 20px;"><img height="310" src="http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/201626/barrett_620x311.jpg" width="620" alt="barrett_620x311.jpg"></div>
<div style="margin:0px 0px 20px;">Beauden Barrett of New Zealand looks on during the International Test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Wales. Photo / Getty</div>
The Blues could be set to find their missing link in the form of All Blacks first-five Beauden Barrett.
Newstalk ZB understands that the Blues are looking to make an offer for the Hurricanes first-five, whose contract ends with the Wellington-based side at the end of this season.
If Barrett was to confirm the signing, he would join All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams, and fill a decade-long gap left in the team's first-five position.
Speaking to Tony Veitch on Newstalk ZB, former Blues head coach John Kirwan said securing Barrett would be a game changer for the franchise and could put them in contention for a title.
"This city is crying out for a brilliant number 10, and if he came up here and delivered what we think he can with Sonny Bill... he could become a hugely popular figure in a city that is crying out for its rugby team to get back on top," Kirwan said.
 
"If he comes to the Blues and we end up winning, who gets the credit for it? He would."
Kirwan also said it was the perfect time for Barrett who would also be vesting his off-field interests in a city that is far more prolific.
"This is the place to be commercially," Kirwan said."Look at Daniel Carter, he's hanging out with Lewis Hamilton and people like that, and the place you can do that is Auckland."
Kirwan confirmed the franchise had already tried to chase Barrett's services previously, jokingly remarking they had offered him the Skytower and Harbour Bridge to come and play.
Now, Kirwan sees Barrett as the final step towards a successful franchise.
"We need that kind personality to drive our football team," he said.
"It would be the final part of the puzzle."
- <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/'>NZ Herald</a>
</div>

mimic

how tough will that be on the canes though?
they've already lost sopoaga and cruden..
 
is the canes region the new 10 factory?

taniwharugby

you'd hope they wont be putting all thier eggs in that basket...they should also be making a run at Black.

Dice

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="591364" data-time="1466824514">
<div>
Wasn't he only signed to the wider training group for the Hurricanes?
</div>
</blockquote>
Yup.
 
The Blues could have a decent chance to get Fatialofa since he moved from Southland to Auckland last year because he wanted to be back home. Also getting to play both Mitre 10 Cup and Super Rugby in one city will be pretty appealing too.

Tim

<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11663690'>George Moala out for up to four weeks</a>
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">George Moala, one of the stars for the All Blacks in their 46-6 victory over Wales last night, has been ruled out for the Blues for up to four weeks due to an elbow injury. 
The centre, in his second test, was forced from the field after 49 minutes, but in that time scored a try, made several breaks, and proved he is a genuine midfield option for coach Steve Hansen. "His elbow is pretty sore," Hansen said today. "What he's done is he's stretched the ligaments that attach around the elbow joint so he could be three to four weeks, we'll just have to wait and see what happens over the next few days." 
Asked if Moala had forced himself into the Rugby Championship reckoning, Hansen said: "He certainly got our interest last night." 
The Blues, unlikely to make the Super Rugby play-offs, potentially have only three matches remaining this season, starting with a game against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday. 
Two matches against the Brumbies and Waratahs at Eden Park follow. Another injury concern for Blues coach Tana Umaga is Charlie Faumuina, who started at tighthead prop in Dunedin. Faumuina has suffered a knee injury (medial ligament) and Hansen said he could be out for between one and three weeks. 
Skipper Kieran Read suffered a "stinger" shoulder issue which wasn't serious, but Crusaders teammate Ryan Crotty, who started at second-five, is in doubt for the match against the Chiefs in Suva on Friday. 
For Hansen, it will be a nervous wait as he says goodbye to his players before the Rugby Championship, which starts for them with a test against Australia in Sydney on August 20. 
"I'm concerned about all of them, I don't want any of them to get injured," he said. 
"But at the same time we can't wrap them up in cotton wool; we need them to play footy and they've got to play some big games and let's sit back and see how they cope with it. And the guys who do cope with it, that's a big advantage."
 
</blockquote>

Canes4life

Piss off Auckland. You have nearly half of the population of our country and yet you can't produce your own players. John Kirwan is all talk in regards to Barrett. Barrett is too loyal and he is currently the highest paid player on our roster. I highly doubt he is going to give that up just for a chance to play with SBW. Id much prefer to be surrounded with guys like Skudder, Ardie Savea and co who actually have a bit variance in their play than the old crash and bash Blues style of play that won't suit Barrett at all. 
 
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="591397" data-time="1466837409">
<div>
Yup.
 
The Blues could have a decent chance to get Fatialofa since he moved from Southland to Auckland last year because he wanted to be back home. Also getting to play both Mitre 10 Cup and Super Rugby in one city will be pretty appealing too.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
The Blues showed no faith in Fatialofa at all. Why would he ditch a side that gave him a crack and have now got the best out of him. Would seem pretty silly. Same went for Fekitoa and Nahalo who moved down to the Highlanders. The Highlanders gave them a chance and they have obviously stuck around to repay that faith.
 
I'm pretty confident that Fatialofa and Barrett will be in the Black and Yellow next year.

Dice

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="591944" data-time="1466905640">
<div>
Piss off Auckland. You have nearly half of the population of our country and yet you can't produce your own players.
</div>
</blockquote>
You tell us we can't produce our own players, yet on the same post, you're talking about an Auckland lock who plays for the Hurricanes...OK.
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="591944" data-time="1466905640">
<div>
The Blues showed no faith in Fatialofa at all. Why would he ditch a side that gave him a crack and have now got the best out of him. Would seem pretty silly. Same went for Fekitoa and Nahalo who moved down to the Highlanders. The Highlanders gave them a chance and they have obviously stuck around to repay that faith.
 
I'm pretty confident that Fatialofa and Barrett will be in the Black and Yellow next year. 
</div>
</blockquote>
You could be right, but let's be honest, if Fatialofa's smart, he'd know the Canes didn't have much faith in him in turning out well. They took him really late, almost as a hopeless last round pick in a draft just to fill the end of the roster. Fatialofa said that he wasn't even in the pre-season team initially, he only got his chance because of injuries to a few locks(one of those locks was fricken Blackwell!). I mean, how far must he have been on the depth charts if he's behind Blackwell and can't even make the pre-season team off the bat? The pre-season benches are massive. Even during the regular season, he had to wait for a few locks to drop to get his shot. Canes got lucky, they pretty much got 1st round production out of someone they thought was a 7th round pick.
 
Saying the Canes got the best out of him is a bit rich though, as he is doing nothing new that he didn't show in the ITM Cup.
 
IMO, you should just go and sign Liaki Moli. I mean, you did call Fatialofa, 'just another Liaki Moli' earlier in the season.

SouthernMan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="591944" data-time="1466905640">
Piss off Auckland. You have nearly half of the population of our country and yet you can't produce your own players. John Kirwan is all talk in regards to Barrett. Barrett is too loyal and he is currently the highest paid player on our roster. I highly doubt he is going to give that up just for a chance to play with SBW. Id much prefer to be surrounded with guys like Skudder, Ardie Savea and co who actually have a bit variance in their play than the old crash and bash Blues style of play that won't suit Barrett at all. 
I'm pretty confident that Fatialofa and Barrett will be in the Black and Yellow next year.</blockquote> the main issue you're forgetting is the fact BB other half lives in Auckland. It doesn't matter how loyal you're as a person to a franchise. Everyone knows who will be playing a key role in this decision. It isn't loyalty.

Canes4life

Yeah but Wellingtons population is nowhere near that of Auckland so your point is invalid. 
Picking Fatialofa up is better than not picking him at all tjough wouldnt you think?? I admit that I didnt think much of him at the start of the season but with consistant game time he has really come into his own and I have been pleasently suprised by how mich he has improved. 
Im pretty sure he is playing better now than he was for Auckland. If he was good as he is now then why was he not.picked up swiftly in the first place?? 
In regards to Beaudy his girlfriend (orginally from Auckland) actually works with a friend of mine at PWC in Wellington and they have an apartment in the city so im pretty sure they are happy away from the hideous traffic and house prices in Jafa town.

mimic

im pretty sure the Blues could offer BB more money through sponsorship..
 
Auckland's population has nothing to do with it.. Auckland can't keep all the talent we have.. So many of our players are taken straight from school.. I think there was an article on it not too long ago..

Canes4life

Dreams are free Aucklanders, Dreams are free!!

SouthernMan

Auckland players going straight from school, like little half back from St Kents who has been signed by Wellington for the next two years. Wow Wellington and the Hriicanes need to keep their grubby mits of Auckland talent.

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SouthernMan" data-cid="591983" data-time="1466917975">
Auckland players going straight from school, like little half back from St Kents who has been signed by Wellington for the next two years. Wow Wellington and the Hriicanes need to keep their grubby mits of Auckland talent.</blockquote>

Canes4life

You can keep him. 
No point continuing this debate. You are comparing a school kid with an esablished World Cup winning All Black. A bit silly wouldn't you think... 
The Blues need to re-learn how to protect their own talent. Surely there is enough talent in Jafaville to warrant a solid 15. 
All three current All Black first fives have come out of the Hurricanes catchment. Compare that with the Blues and they've produced F all to be fair. Pretty poor considering the population of Auckland.

SouthernMan

I don't have him. I'm just making a point. There's no point getting grumpy about players exhibiting free will. If the culture is good players will stay, but sometimes money and personal circumstances talk. If I was big Mike Fatilofa I would go back to the Blues. From a Highlanders perspective we are lucky the Blues are stacked midfield wise, so they won't be targeting Fekitoa. But we aren't out of this either, I'm sure Lima will be getting an approach or will be getting chased by the Hurricanes if BB was to leave. It's the issue we have as a franchise who turns other franchises rejects into world beaters, they may want to go home one day.

The Silver Fern

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