Super Rugby News

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?

No Quarter

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="595997" data-time="1468302582">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.</blockquote>
Just admit that any bloke wearing red & black gives you a chubby and we'll agree to move on

Bovidae

I went along to watch some of the Chiefs practice today. It appears most news broadcasters (Newshub, CGW) were there too. Messam was heavily involved in the practice so Rennie must be confident he'll be given dispensation.
 
And I had a James Tucker sighting.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="595980" data-time="1468298562">
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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.
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Going by that game the Crusaders should be in the box seat as the ref favoured the team from overseas as opposed to the team from where he's from. He's likely shaping up to be their new Steve Walsh. ;)

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="595988" data-time="1468300421">Noooooooo! Not "Hometown"</blockquote>
 
Highlanders by 20...

Smudge

Looks like Forsyth Barr is pretty much sold out for the game too - maybe some seats in the Zoo left.

Stargazer

Ardie Savea has re-signed with the NZRU and Hurricanes for 2 more years!
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.allblacks.com/News/29445/ardie-savea-signs-with-nz-rugby-for-two-more-years'>http://www.allblacks.com/News/29445/ardie-savea-signs-with-nz-rugby-for-two-more-years</a>

taniwharugby

counting on his market value to be at or near its peak just before the next RWC for the next contract signing?
 
Pretty smart

Tim

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote"><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11674658'>Rugby: Light at the end of the tunnel for Broadhurst</a> 
By Campbell Burnes 
5:09 PM Thursday Jul 14, 2016 
There is some light at the end of the tunnel for James Broadhurst. 
Remember him? Outstanding second-rower who earned a test cap in July 2015 against the Springboks after a stellar Super Rugby season with the Hurricanes. He was even a nominee for Super Rugby player of the season at the last Steinlager Awards. 
But just weeks after that test 12 months ago, Broadhurst was badly concussed playing for Taranaki in their ITM Cup opener against Wellington. He hasn't been sighted on a rugby field since as he works to rid himself of the troublesome symptoms. The 28-year-old is contracted to the Hurricanes until the end of 2017, and coach Chris Boyd says he is back in the gym, if not, understandably, anywhere near peak condition. 
"Broady has been around the base quite a bit the last week or so. It's been slowly, slowly, as it should be with those situations, but he is making some really good progress and is in a good, positive frame of mind at the moment," Boyd says. 
"I don't think he's likely to play much Mitre 10 Cup this year, because twofold, he needs to get over his symptoms, and he hasn't done anything physically for 12 months, so he's got a bit to do to get into condition to play Super Rugby. He resembles a javelin at the moment and has lost a bit fair bit of condition. 
"All long-term injuries are potentially problematic for sportspeople. I think the difference between concussion and an ACL... there is so much grey about when to return. Not only is the tunnel long but you don't know where the light is." 
Broadhurst, along with the industrious Jeremy Thrush, formed a key cog in the 2015 Hurricanes as they stormed to the final. Both are now absent. Michael Fatialofa, in particular, has picked up much of the slack this season. 
The rugby community will be hoping there is no concussion curse on former members of the Sacred Heart College First XV in Auckland. Prop Ben Afeaki was forced to retire from the game, while flanker Sean Polwart has not played since the start of 2015 and is believed to be still battling symptoms.
 
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Higgins

I cannot fathom the logic behind this. Perhaps this is the culmination in the folly of pouring money into someone like Christian Lloyd for an extended period when it was obvious it was almost certain that he was unlikely ever to play a single match. If this turns out to be true than it must really be a slap in the face for the likes of Geoffrey Cridge, Michael Fatialofa, James Broadhurst, James Blackwell, Blade Thompson, Vaea Fifita, Mark Abbot and the young Leawere kid they have rushed into the WTG.
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/82135350/hurricanes-recruit-former-warrior-sam-lousi-from-waratahs--report'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/82135350/hurricanes-recruit-former-warrior-sam-lousi-from-waratahs--report</a>

Paekakboyz

Really hoping that Broadhurst gets clear of the concussion issue and can make a comeback. But surely he'd be worried about contact when he first comes back.. that would be pretty scary I reckon. As long as he gets back to full health that's a win. If he can continue as a pro rugby player that's a bonus imo.

African Monkey

Sam Lousi signs with Hurricanes
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/82135350/hurricanes-recruit-former-warrior-sam-lousi-from-waratahs--report'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/82135350/hurricanes-recruit-former-warrior-sam-lousi-from-waratahs--report</a>

Canes4life

It is defs a signing out of the blue.
 
If Broadhurst recovers we are going to have probably one too many locks. I think the Canes will use B Thomson purely as a No 8 next year and Fifita will probably play more at six. The player I see losing his spot would probably be Abbott.
 
Id say the Hurricanes Locks and Loose Forwards for next year are probably going to look like this:
 
Locks: Michael Fatialofa, James Broadhurst, Sione Lousi, Geoff Cridge, Isaia Walker-Leawere
 
Loose Forwards: Brad Shields, Hugh Renton, Ardie Savea, Blade Thomson, Vaea Fifita, Callum Gibbins, Tony Lamborn, James Blackwell and Marino Mikaele Tu'u
 
I think it is the right mix of youth and experience which is exciting.

Sneakdefreak

Sam Lousi....heh.

Higgins

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="596699" data-time="1468551990">
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It is defs a signing out of the blue.
 
If Broadhurst recovers we are going to have probably one too many locks. I think the Canes will use B Thomson purely as a No 8 next year and Fifita will probably play more at six. The player I see losing his spot would probably be Abbott.
 
Id say the Hurricanes Locks and Loose Forwards for next year are probably going to look like this:
 
Locks: Michael Fatialofa, James Broadhurst, Sione Lousi, Geoff Cridge, Isaia Walker-Leawere
 
Loose Forwards: Brad Shields, Hugh Renton, Ardie Savea, Blade Thomson, Vaea Fifita, Callum Gibbins, Tony Lamborn, James Blackwell and Marino Mikaele Tu'u
 
I think it is the right mix of youth and experience which is exciting.
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 So you are expecting James Blackwell who is currently holding an locking injury contract courtesy of James Broadhurst's unfortunate downfall, to re-invent himself as a loosie. I have not seen him play as a loose forward something that you must have done to place him there. On the blindside the Canes have already got Thompson, Fifita and Shields there as proven blindsides (and thats not counting Renton who virtually no one has seen play so cannot rate his capabilites). At No 8 you have the current Wellington Lions captain in Shields with back up from Mikaele Tu'u and possibly Thompson and the mysterious Renton.
As locking cover you have both Fifita and Thompson who have both done ok as starters in that position so there really is no spot open for Mr Blackwell (unless Lousi turns out to be a flop despite his multi year contract).

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="596719" data-time="1468555396">
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 So you are expecting James Blackwell who is currently holding an locking injury contract courtesy of James Broadhurst's unfortunate downfall, to re-invent himself as a loosie. I have not seen him play as a loose forward something that you must have done to place him there. On the blindside the Canes have already got Thompson, Fifita and Shields there as proven blindsides (and thats not counting Renton who virtually no one has seen play so cannot rate his capabilites). At No 8 you have the current Wellington Lions captain in Shields with back up from Mikaele Tu'u and possibly Thompson and the mysterious Renton.
As locking cover you have both Fifita and Thompson who have both done ok as starters in that position so there really is no spot open for Mr Blackwell (unless Lousi turns out to be a flop despite his multi year contract).
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James Blackwell is actually a six/lock but more of a blindside and is at the start of his career like Renton. Don't forget the squads are a lot bigger now so i'm predicting Blackwell will be in the squad somewhere at the expense of Abbott who probably counts himself unlucky. I know the coaches have big wraps on Blackwell and ive heard through a number of sources that they seem him as Captain material for both Wellington and the Hurricanes in the future. I'd be suprised if they cut Blackwell but it is pro footy so who knows?
 
Personally I wouldn't have signed a guy like Lousi. He just looks like a big lump in the similar mould of Skelton who does pretty much F All. Hopefully they can get the best out of him.

Crazy Horse

Don't get the signing either. He wasn't the best at league so can't see him standing out in Union. How has he gone for NSW this year? Only noticed him on the bench for the first time the other week. 
Wish they had scored that young Storm player whose name I can't spell. He is a physically dominant youngster, unlike Louisi (probably can't spell his name either) who played league like a big lazy pussy cat.

Higgins

He (Lousi) has done nothing that made me want to consult my programme to see who he was much less putting a tick against his name for doing something noteworthy. The player statistics reveal the following (bearing in mind stats don't always tell the true story)
Minutes played: 367 (over 13 matches)
Carries: 50
Metres gained: 92
Clean breaks: 1
Passes: 21
Own Lineout wins: 7
Lineout steals: 0
Tackles Made: 42
Tackles missed: 1
Tackles success: 97.7%
Turnovers conceded: 5
 
I see he is on the benck for the Tahs tonight so will keenly anticipate running my critical eyes over him if he manages to get on.

Higgins

After casting my eyes over Sam Lousi I would not be expecting him to be playing in the first team other than in preseason friendlies. He must have done some fairly special things in other games to put on his highlights reel as there was nothing at all to recommend him exhibited in last nights game.

The Silver Fern

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