Super Rugby News

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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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.

Dice

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="594780" data-time="1467914275">
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Think he's gone to Southland.
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I hope he's just on loan down there. Hopefully he's not been given the flick for playing for Samoa.
 
I was hoping he'd play for the Auckland U19s this year, because we'd have quite a good backline with him in it.
 
9 - Henry Saker
10 - Wiseguy Faiane
11 - Freedom Vaha'akolo
12 - TJ Vaega
13 - Loketi Manu
14 - Wesley Tameifuna
15 - D'angelo Leuila
 
That'd be my backline anyway. Even without Leuila in there, it's still a pretty good backline, but the balance will take a bit of a hit without him.

Bones

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="594783" data-time="1467916932">
First time I seen This clip of Jane highlight reel. </blockquote>
Jesus he was some finisher eh. Bloody smart on the pitch.

broughie

It may be a premature assessment but if I were in Blues management I would not persue Otere Black. First Ihaia West is developing well if he could learn how to kick goals. Black does not have the intangible of speed that West has. Barret would be worth persuing. Besides if the Blues pack gets better, which it is even without Akira, there wont be as much pressure on West. Plus he will have SBW off his shoulder, Pulu inside him, Moala, Ioane and Nanai and some other wing which is quite a nice backline.

KiwiMurph

Big Tahs winger Taqele Naiyaravoro has been cited and suspended and will miss the Blues game this Friday.
 
The citing commissioner deemed his in air tackle of Beaudie Barrett should have been red carded.

Stargazer

Jarryd Hayne has not been selected for the Olympic Fiji 7s squad
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.newshub.co.nz/sport/jarryd-hayne-misses-out-on-olympic-selection-for-fiji-sevens-2016071112#axzz4DqN55xRj'>http://www.newshub.co.nz/sport/jarryd-hayne-misses-out-on-olympic-selection-for-fiji-sevens-2016071112#axzz4DqN55xRj</a>

mariner4life

considering he's already training with Parra (well, one of their lower grade sides), no great surprise

Hooroo

Is this even in the right thread?

Tim

It is not in the correct thread, and you should use your moderation powers to move it.

Hooroo

That is true but it seems that modding is rather comedic give the off topic thread, so to keep with the mickey mouse modding, it is probably better to be left here

Stargazer

Nitpickers.

Stargazer

Here's the list with referees for the final round robin: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/news/super-rugby-referees-round-171/'>http://www.sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/news/super-rugby-referees-round-171/</a>
 
Place your bets on the Hurricanes this Saturday, because that terrible Wellington ref that was in charge of the Blues v Brumbies game, is the man with the whistle for the game in Christchurch.

Canes4life

I'm Wellington born and bred and even I can't stand him!!

Tim

Good news for the Highlanders though:
 
Match Highlanders v Chiefs @ Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin 
Date Saturday 16 July 2016 
Kick-Off 19:35 local 
Referee Glen Jackson 
AR1 Nick Briant 
AR2 Jamie Nutbrown 
TMO Chris Wratt

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="595982" data-time="1468298914">
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I'm Wellington born and bred and even I can't stand him!!
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I really don't understand how a ref, who was already bad at NPC level, has been able to progress to Super Rugby level. I believe he's even officiated a test match in June? PNC or Georgia match?

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="595984" data-time="1468298978">Good news for the Highlanders though: 
Match Highlanders v Chiefs @ Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin 
Date Saturday 16 July 2016 
Kick-Off 19:35 local 
Referee Glen Jackson 
AR1 Nick Briant 
AR2 Jamie Nutbrown 
TMO Chris Wratt</blockquote>
 
Noooooooo! Not "Hometown"

No Quarter

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="595980" data-time="1468298562">Here's the list with referees for the final round robin: <a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/news/super-rugby-referees-round-171/">http://www.sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/news/super-rugby-referees-round-171/</a> 
Place your bets on the Hurricanes this Saturday, because that terrible Wellington ref that was in charge of the Blues v Brumbies game, is the man with the whistle for the game in Christchurch.</blockquote>
 
Spoken like a true Crusaders fan. He's incompetent, not biased. His calls could go either way throughout the match.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="595991" data-time="1468301004">
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Spoken like a true Crusaders fan. He's incompetent, not biased. His calls could go either way throughout the match.
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I've reached another conclusion based on the last two ITM Cup seasons, but I'm happy to be proven wrong. A bad Wellington ref officiating a game involving a team based in Wellington makes my alarm bells ring, just like a bad Christchurch ref officiating a game involving a Christchurch based team would make my alarm bells ring. It has nothing to with who I support or not. I'd have said the same thing if the Canes were playing the Highlanders or the Chiefs in such a crucial game and this ref had been appointed to officiate that game.

Stargazer

<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/82003592/chiefs-awaiting-sanzaar-signoff-for-liam-messam-to-play-in-super-rugby-playoffs'>Chiefs awaiting SANZAAR signoff for Liam Messam to play in Super Rugby playoffs</a>
 
In more important news, according to this article, Liam Messam might not be permitted to play the finals? The article says the Chiefs management are confident he will get dispensation; I'd sure hope so, because it sounds absolutely ridiculous to apply that four-round-robin-games rule in his case. If the rules are to stop clubs from hiring players just coming out of European club rugby, that rule shouldn't be applied here?

The Silver Fern

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