Crusaders 2016 and 2017
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="599942" data-time="1469406326">
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<p>The only reason for hiring a 31 year old player after a stint in France & Japan is that they hope to benefit from his experience. Playing in those competitions doesn't make a player better. Apparently, he's injury prone.</p>
<p>I'm not thrilled. Seriously, couldn't they find anyone better?</p>
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<p>he's an amazing athlete and was one of the worlds top wingers in the past.</p>
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<p>If he hasn't lost pace then I'm pretty excitied about what he can bring, certainly more than some wingers we've signed in the last few years.</p> -
Did they get the wrong Ioane? Hoping for Akira or Rieko got Digby ...
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="600016" data-time="1469414398">
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<p>Did they get the wrong Ioane? Hoping for Akira or Rieko got Digby ...</p>
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<p>Wait till you see Razor's trifecta.</p>
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<p>Toddy had his Whitelocks - Razor's collecting a different set! :)</p> -
<p>Hmmm not sure it is a good signing of true. He wasn't that great when he left Aust and i doubt he has improved much playing in France and Japan since. Not to mention he isn't NZ eligible. </p>
<p>My main memory of him is Kaino picking him up and carrying him backwards in the 2011 RWC Semi final.</p>
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<p>I know I said they were probably past it recently in another thread but the Crusaders could do worse than signing Tamati Ellison and Alby Mathewson. At least they are Kiwis.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="600025" data-time="1469415944"><p>I know I said they were probably past it recently in another thread but the Crusaders could do worse than signing Tamati Ellison and Alby Mathewson. At least they are Kiwis.</p></blockquote><br>And they've both been playing well in Super Rugby. Alby could play a faster style than Andy did, with the benefit of still having an experienced mentor for Drummond etc. while Ellison and Crotty wouldn't be a shit centre pairing at all.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="600025" data-time="1469415944">
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<p>He wasn't that great when he left Aust and i doubt he has improved much playing in France and Japan since. Not to mention he isn't NZ eligible. </p>
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<p> Played pretty well in 2012 as I recall, one of the Aussie standouts in super rugby.</p>
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<p>2013 was starting winger for the wallabies before getting injured too. So he's a shit load better than bloke like Tuitivaki who we've tried in the past.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="600029" data-time="1469416725">
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<p> Played pretty well in 2012 as I recall, one of the Aussie standouts in super rugby.</p>
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<p>2013 was starting winger for the wallabies before getting injured too. So he's a shit load better than bloke like Tuitivaki who we've tried in the past.</p>
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<p>I remember him being more than decent, his try celebration skills are something else although it's doubtful they'll be embraced in stoic, dour saders country though.....</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="600033" data-time="1469417359">
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<p>I remember him being more than decent, his try celebration skills are something else although it's doubtful they'll be embraced in stoic, dour saders country though.....</p>
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<p>[media]
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<p>the celebrations probably influenced Robertsons decision :)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="600029" data-time="1469416725"><p>
Played pretty well in 2012 as I recall, one of the Aussie standouts in super rugby.<br><br>
2013 was starting winger for the wallabies before getting injured too. So he's a shit load better than bloke like Tuitivaki who we've tried in the past.</p></blockquote>
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Maybe his injury problems have clouded my memory of his form. Just seemed he faded away and then was gone. Still don't know if someone who was good 4-5years ago the playing in france/japan is a great long term solution. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="600050" data-time="1469420827">
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<p>Maybe his injury problems have clouded my memory of his form. Just seemed he faded away and then was gone. Still don't know if someone who was good 4-5years ago the playing in france/japan is a great long term solution.</p>
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<p>I'd say he'd be a favourite to take out the bench press challenge at the Saders at the very least.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="600050" data-time="1469420827">
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<p>Maybe his injury problems have clouded my memory of his form. Just seemed he faded away and then was gone. Still don't know if someone who was good 4-5years ago the playing in france/japan is a great long term solution.</p>
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<p>I doubt he's considered a long term option.</p> -
<p>How does he get to be signed? Who the fuck allows this signing?</p>
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<p>I admit that developing Pacific island talent is an obligation, so I'm happy with the odd ineligible Fijian etc. </p>
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<p>However, this makes no sense for NZ rugby, so who's paying his contract? Only the Saders, the fine, fuck em, but better bloody not be the NZRFU!</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="600058" data-time="1469421873">
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<p>How does he get to be signed? Who the fuck allows this signing?</p>
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<p>I admit that developing Pacific island talent is an obligation, so I'm happy with the odd ineligible Fijian etc. </p>
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<p>However, this makes no sense for NZ rugby, so who's paying his contract? Only the Saders, the fine, fuck em, but better bloody not be the NZRFU!</p>
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<p>Whats the difference between him and Michael Leitch, yamashita, Alaalatoa?</p> -
<p>Don't the NZRU stipulate that the franchise must prove there isn't a better available player in that position before allowing an international to be signed to a NZ squad? I'd imagine that was a pretty easy argument for the Crusaders to make to the NZRU currently.</p>
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<p>We might know more after the NPC but right now there ain't a lot of Super Rugby hardened wingers running around uncontracted in New Zealand.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="600060" data-time="1469422235">
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<p>Don't the NZRU stipulate that the franchise must prove there isn't a better available player in that position before allowing an international to be signed to a NZ squad?<strong> I'd imagine that was a pretty easy argument for the Crusaders to make to the NZRU currently.</strong></p>
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<p>We might know more after the NPC but right now there ain't a lot of Super Rugby hardened wingers running around uncontracted in New Zealand.</p>
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<p>Geeeez makes Ralph and Hamilton look pretty good huh ? who'd have thunk it.....</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="600062" data-time="1469422489">
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<p>Geeeez makes Ralph and Hamilton look pretty good huh ? who'd have thunk it.....</p>
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<p>I'd take both of those 2 over Macalai, Tuitivaki and McNiccol.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="600064" data-time="1469422624">
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<p>I'd take both of those 2 over Macalai, Tuitivaki and McNiccol.</p>
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<p>My point exactly brother. It might all start "up front" but when donkeys like those two look good in hindsight somethings rotten in Crusaderland.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="600059" data-time="1469421934">
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<p>Whats the difference between him and Michael<strong> Leitch, yamashita</strong>, Alaalatoa?</p>
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<p>I assume it's because he's from a tier one team while the others are tier two (as is Nadolo because the Aussies couldn't figure out how to make him work). And maybe Alaatoa is considered a Samoan by the NZR until such time as he dons a Wallabies jumper?</p> -
<p>I know it's your favourite drum to bang, but Caleb Ralph was a good super winger. You don't score that many tries by standing around feeling your nuts. He probably deserved his AB cap too, just not as many as he got (but i can understand how he kept getting picked). </p>
