Super Rugby News

Stargazer

Highlanders news: 

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Marty Banks, Shane Christie, Liam Squire and Daniel Lienert-Brown have all been ruled out of the final leg of the defending champion's tour to Buenos Aires, where they play the Jaguares for the first time on Sunday [NZ time]. 
 
(...) 
 
On a positive note for the Highlanders, who are fourth in the New Zealand conference and in possession of the final wildcard berth in the Australasian group, an All Black contingent comprising Ben and Aaron Smith, Waisake Naholo and Malakai Fekitoa join the squad in Buenos Aires. 
 
Loose forward James Lentjes and prop Craig Millar are also bolstering the squad as injury cover.
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 <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/81723564/injuries-hit-highlanders-with-four-heading-home-from-south-africa'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/81723564/injuries-hit-highlanders-with-four-heading-home-from-south-africa</a>

Canes4life

J.T.A and Blade Thomson are both out for the season. Isaia Walker-Leawere comes into the squad for Thomson for the remainder of the season.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="592276" data-time="1467006382">
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He's a lot bigger than his old man - he just needs to put on a bit of weight. 
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?
 
Little was big enough for his era wasn't he ?

Stargazer

The Blues have reportedly re-signed Ihaia West for another year 

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Ihaia West re-signs with the Blues, aims to guide team to playoffs next year LIAM NAPIER Last updated 09:21, July 7 2016 
 For all the speculation about luring a superstar pivot to Auckland, Ihaia West increasingly shapes as the man who will guide the Blues next year. 
 After shifting north from the Hawke's Bay two-and-a-half-years ago, West has gradually grown his confidence at this level, and will be back at the Blues after signing a one season extension that, at present, reinstates him as Tana Umaga's first-choice playmaker for 2017. 
 There's plenty to like about West's skills; his speed, ability to spot a gap and short kicking game are assets. But his control and influence under pressure, particularly in the closing stages, sit in the 24-year-old's work-on basket. 
 A one-year deal could be seen as a probation period; a holding pattern of sorts, as Umaga attempts to find pieces to his jigsaw. The Blues have been open in their pursuit of Beauden Barrett, and also inquired about Manawatu and Hurricanes first five-eighth Otere Black. 
 But for West, another year at the Blues simply means another chance to improve. Another chance to absorb the lessons from this campaign, and channel them into the next. 
 "They gave me one year to have another crack and play better and try and get better on-field results so it was a mutual decision," he said. 
 "This year hasn't panned out how we all wanted but knowing I'm coming back next year, with the sort of people that are coming in as well, it's exciting. I'm enjoying my time at the Blues and happy to be staying. 
 "I've definitely improved but we're not where we all wanted to be. We wanted to play some playoff rugby and get more wins. I still think there's heaps of room for improvement, it's just about making those shifts to take us further." 
 Those new additions West speaks of are, of course, significant. With livewire halfback Augustine Pulu inside him, and Sonny Bill Williams punching forward, attracting defenders and providing direction on his outside, the Blues backline could be a totally different beast next year. They'll also have Rieko Ioane lurking on the wing; Rene Ranger back and a hungry George Moala probably at centre. Those are some lethal attacking weapons. 
 Pulu and Williams alone could be game-changing acquisitions for any playmaker. 
 "They're not just good players on the field but Sonny being who he is... he's probably the most professional rugby player in New Zealand so to have him in our environment and seeing what he does day in, day out, will be awesome for not just me but the whole squad." 
 Last week's 37-27 loss to the Hurricanes was, in many ways, symptomatic of the Blues season. Punch from the likes of Steven Luatua and Patrick Tuipulotu provided impetus for some dynamic ball movement and telling offloads. 
 The Blues deserved every bit of their 24-17 halftime lead. But in a familiar script they then allowed the Hurricanes back, just as they've done in the final moments of other matches this year. 
 If the Blues are to finish with a positive win ratio by collecting victories over the Brumbies on Friday night and Waratahs next week in their final two outings at Eden Park, their late game lapses must be rectified. 
 And West will need to play a leading role in that development. 
 "We've talked about that. It will look a whole lot better if we're eight wins and six losses. To have the two top Aussie teams at home is pretty exciting so the plan is to knock them over and make it easier for the Kiwi teams to go through. 
 "We've played some bloody good rugby in patches but in the last 20 minutes we've lost our way a bit and the Hurricanes got on top of us. That's happened throughout the season so it's about trying to turn those good 40 to 60 minute performances into 80 minute ones. 
 "These last two games we're looking to do that. " 
 - Stuff <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/81847311/ihaia-west-resigns-with-the-blues-aims-to-guide-team-to-playoffs-next-year'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/81847311/ihaia-west-resigns-with-the-blues-aims-to-guide-team-to-playoffs-next-year</a>
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I think this is a good decision by the Blues. I'm convinced West has the potential to be a much better player than he has been able to show at the Blues this year and I think that was mostly due to the players around him in the backline. With a couple of much better backs signed for next season, West will get a chance to develop further and to play his best game.

taniwharugby

if he cant thrive with Pulu and SBW next to him....

Dice

I believe in you, Ihaia.
 
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/apnVqRf.png" alt="apnVqRf.png">

reprobate

i thought west did some good stuff in his last outing. still lots to work on obviously, but he has potential and a fair bit seems to be down to confidence to me. it's pretty unusual for young 10s to just arrive fully formed; mehrtens probably the closest i can think of.
as a ginger midget whose halfback gives dodgy service and forward pack isn't big on protection, i reckon the prospect of having sbw next to you would be quite the boon.

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="reprobate" data-cid="594657" data-time="1467861932">
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i thought west did some good stuff in his last outing. still lots to work on obviously, but he has potential and a fair bit seems to be down to confidence to me. it's pretty unusual for young 10s to just arrive fully formed; mehrtens probably the closest i can think of.
as a ginger midget whose halfback gives dodgy service and forward pack isn't big on protection, i reckon the prospect of having sbw next to you would be quite the boon. 
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he is in his 3rd season though...but agree, he has had some interesting service from 9 and plenty of changing at 12 too....

African Monkey

Don't mind him re-signing tbh and even better that it's only a 1 year deal as well.

mimic

Meh.. not a fan of ihaia.. 
Super rugby ain't npc (or whatever the comp is called these days) 
Usually ppl blame the forward pack if the 10 is poor.. first time I've seen ppl blame the backline 
If anything, ihaia lacks the ability to organise his backline..

taniwharugby

be better for him if he had someone pushing him for the 10 jersey too

KiwiMurph

Not convinced Ihaia is the long term answer but i'm happy to have him sign for another year given the options available to the Blues, at worst he's a good bench 10. 
 
Agreed with comments about his struggles with organising a backline - to me that's why he has looked better this season after Francis moved to 12. With SBW coming in I don't think that is his game at 12 - perhaps Pulu at 9 will take over more as the playmaking role. All shall be revealed. 
 
My main hope now is we sign a young 10 to groom in behind to challenge/push Ihaia.

Dice

I think we'll sign a young 10, but I'm not sure who that'll be. Nick White is part of the Blues coaching staff, so you'd hope he'd help us out by playing one of the young 10s in the Mitre 10 Cup to see if they're worth a contract. Tana seems to be looking at Will Talataina-Mu, seeing as he joined the Blues over the break.
 
Bryn Gatland is at Harbour this year, so he's one to keep an eye on. I've only seen him play in a couple of school games, so I have no clue how good he is at the moment.

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="594742" data-time="1467883628">
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I think we'll sign a young 10, but I'm not sure who that'll be. Nick White is part of the Blues coaching staff, so you'd hope he'd help us out by playing one of the young 10s in the Mitre 10 Cup to see if they're worth a contract. Tana seems to be looking at Will Talataina-Mu, seeing as he joined the Blues over the break.
 
Bryn Gatland is at Harbour this year, so he's one to keep an eye on. I've only seen him play in a couple of school games, so I have no clue how good he is at the moment.
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Not that I've seen a lot of Gatland, I do feel that he is a Simon Hickey clone.
 
Could we see Talataina-Mu at 12 in the Mitre 10 cup given how light we are in the midfield? He has played quite a bit in the midfield prior to this season.

Dice

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="594744" data-time="1467885800">
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Not that I've seen a lot of Gatland, I do feel that he is a Simon Hickey clone.
 
Could we see Talataina-Mu at 12 in the Mitre 10 cup given how light we are in the midfield? He has played quite a bit in the midfield prior to this season.
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It seems a bit that way, seeing as we tend to hear more about his goal kicking than anything else. Bovidae seems to have seen a lot more of him, so maybe he could give us more insight on his play.
 
Talataina-Mu playing some 12 is a real possibility if Moala is in the ABs.

mimic

Would like to see D'Angelo at 10 tbh..

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mimic" data-cid="594776" data-time="1467901598">
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Would like to see D'Angelo at 10 tbh..
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Think he's gone to Southland.

taniwharugby

BREEN is floating about too, and the little I have seen of him I like, whether he can step it up to the next level or not always the key. 
First time I seen This clip of Jane highlight reel.

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="594756" data-time="1467888716">
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It seems a bit that way, seeing as we tend to hear more about his goal kicking than anything else. Bovidae seems to have seen a lot more of him, so maybe he could give us more insight on his play.
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</blockquote>
 
I haven't seen Gatland play much since he left school as he was stuck behind DMac for Waikato. He scored heaps of points in club rugby for Ham Old Boys before heading north.
 
As you say, he is a very good goal kicker. Based on what I did see in Waikato games, Gatland has potential but seemed more comfortable playing a little deeper in the pocket than a lot of NZ 1st 5s. I'll be interested to see how he goes for NH, presumably in combination with Hall.

Canes4life

I think the Blues need someone with a steady hand, someone that is cool calm and collected and not overly flamboyant. With a back line next year consisting of SBW, Pulu, Ranger, Moala and Ioane all you need is someone who can direct that back line around comfortably, with the confidence to be able to take on the line once in a while and obviously kick their goals.
 
I'm not sure if Barrett would have been the answer. All that firepower in one back line may not have worked anyway, however most of you Ferners on here would most likely disagree with that statement. . 
 
Is West the answer? Maybe. He has been renowned for being quite erratic, however I liked what I saw from him at the Cake Tin on Saturday. He seemed to have a more mature look about him on attack and chose his moments nicely. I believe the Blues should persist with West and if they can get someone in the similar mold to the likes of Cruden or Otere Black who can share that play-maker role then the Blues will be looking like a real playoff contender this time next year.

The Silver Fern

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