Super Rugby 2023
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@Kirwan said in Super Rugby 2023:
Just want to point out these sellouts and that Blues vs Crusaders game was Test match level.
Test match level? Hold up, isn't this the stick we repeatedly beat our SR coaches with to ensure there's no pathway to higher honors? How can we trust Razor to coach ABs if he's never coached at test level?
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@kiwi_expat said in Super Rugby 2023:
@Kirwan said in Super Rugby 2023:
Just want to point out these sellouts and that Blues vs Crusaders game was Test match level.
Test match level? Hold up, isn't this the stick we repeatedly beat our SR coaches with to ensure there's no pathway to higher honors? How can we trust Razor to coach ABs if he's never coached at test level?
He got the job, you can let that go now.
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with two rounds to go even a poor predictor like me can have a crack at the Finals composition
Chiefs 50 (Brumbies A, Force A) 50-60, predict 58
Crusaders 42 (Tahs H, Canes A) 42-52 predict 50
Brumbies 41 (Chiefs H, Rebels H) 41-51 predict 47
Blues 38 (Canes H, Highlanders H) 38-48 predict 46
Canes 37 (Blues A, Saders H) 37-47 predict 39I would have a flutter on the current order staying the same.
Saders can reach top spot but even 2 losing BPs from Chiefs would probably be enough.
Brumbies could get to 50 if they beat the Chiefs but have a vastly inferior PD to the Saders
Blues could overtake Brumbies but need one BP added to two wins. Not impossible but that 3 try margin is hard to get at this stage of the season.The fight for 7,8 is still on (With Tahs likely to stay 6th)
Reds in box seat although a Landers win this weekend will really make things interesting
Way too many variables in that end of the table but critical games in Highlanders v Reds and Drua v Reds (in Fiji)
Drua could pick up 9 points in their last 2 games
Force v Rebels (A) could cement a finals spot for the Force -
Hit of the round?
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What do people think of the Aumua move from Moana Pacific. I think it stinks. Defeats purpose of MP. Several teams tried, so not singling out Crusaders. I can't fathom Aumua, as he continues to change franchises. Now he will compete with Ennor, Havili, Goodhue and McLeod and I would rate the first 3 all ahead of him, and the 4th may overtake him soon. He is the line-break go-to for a poor team, and shines in that role. The skillset needed by Crusaders is a bit different. But, what do I know?
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@ARHS said in Super Rugby 2023:
What do people think of the Aumua move from Moana Pacific. I think it stinks. Defeats purpose of MP
He's a New Zealander, so why should he be constrained to MP?
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@antipodean I agree, and they have plenty of other New Zealanders in their squad, who've now been capped by Samoa or Tonga.
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@ARHS said in Super Rugby 2023:
What do people think of the Aumua move from Moana Pacific. I think it stinks. Defeats purpose of MP. Several teams tried, so not singling out Crusaders. I can't fathom Aumua, as he continues to change franchises. Now he will compete with Ennor, Havili, Goodhue and McLeod and I would rate the first 3 all ahead of him, and the 4th may overtake him soon. He is the line-break go-to for a poor team, and shines in that role. The skillset needed by Crusaders is a bit different. But, what do I know?
Like @antipodean said, he is a NZer. Why shouldn't he be allowed to further his career by having a shot with a NZ franchise that will allow him to be considered for the ABs? If playing for MP locks you in to playing for a Pacific Island and no one else, surely that would discourage NZ eligible players from signing on with them. They are struggling for (decent) players now as it is. They need help from the NZ player pool.
A way around that would be to allow players to be selected for the ABs straight from MP. But that comes with its own problems.
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Can we put the Aumua/MP/Eligibiility thing to bed once and for all.
“It’s certainly not what Moana Pasifika is designed for,” Mauger said.
“But we’ve got to respect the aspirations of our players and Levi made it clear from the start that he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do.
“He was honest and up front when he came into this environment that he wanted to play a season of Super Rugby and see where that took him.
"It obviously took him pretty far and he got selected for the New Zealand XV.MP said at the start that they would select 20% that weren't fully committed to playing for Samoa/Tonga. Aumua was obviously one of those.
On the subject of him going to the Crusaders, that does seem weird given their resources in that area and playing style.
Chiefs and Canes are probably out with solid options in his position and maybe he isn't keen on going to another losing franchiseso the Landers are out as well.
You'd think that Rugby wise the Blues would be the ideal placement. He could partner with Rieko to show his goods.
Can only think that he (or his family) want to get out of Auckland. -
@Bovidae said in Super Rugby 2023:
Yes, the Crusaders would be his third NZ team. Aumua will be 29 later in the year so it's hardly a signing for the future.
Historically, n recent NZ centre terms he's probably got a 6 year test career in him.
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@antipodean. OK.
The part I think stinks is that several well stacked franchises are trying to pry him away from a side that desperately needs him. MPs future is threatened by that. Not saying he can't be picked for NZ while there. I hate the stockpiling like with Chiefs locks. And how will Dallas McLeod feel? Super rugby is hurting itself in my view with player go rounds.
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@ARHS said in Super Rugby 2023:
@antipodean. OK.
The part I think stinks is that several well stacked franchises are trying to pry him away from a side that desperately needs him. MPs future is threatened by that. Not saying he can't be picked for NZ while there. I hate the stockpiling like with Chiefs locks. And how will Dallas McLeod feel? Super rugby is hurting itself in my view with player go rounds.
I agree with all those points, but I don't think Levi's future should be hamstrung by being tied to such a poorly managed/ coached team. To make the competition more interesting I think there must be a better method of distributing talent amongst teams. The problem for MP is they'll always be a home for players that would've been broader squad members anywhere else.
I think it could be a good move for Levi, given his stats are superb given the foundation he has to work with. Mo'unga would benefit from a powerful munter outside him too.
