Crusaders 2016 and 2017
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<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>
<p> </p>
<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>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="600059" data-time="1469421934">
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<p>Whats the difference between him and<strong> (1) Michael Leitch, (2) yamashita, (3) Alaalatoa?</strong></p>
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<p>1) Although I love him, I didn't think he should have been signed and he shouldn't be re-signed - he should go to the SWs who need him more. Also, as JP is a second tier team, my above argument probably also stands as Nepia has pointed out.</p>
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<p>2) I dislike him, and he shouldn't have been signed - particularly since tighthead is area of weakness for NZ right now and limiting Super spots doesn't help the development.</p>
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<p>3) My understanding is that he hasn't been Aussie capped, TF it aligns with my above theory abot helping support Pacific islands. If he were Oz capped, I'd want him on his ass out the door.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="600089" data-time="1469426524">
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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>
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<p>How's that assumption apply to James Haskell?</p> -
<p>England were shit then, and Haskell was rubbish</p>
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<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? I'd imagine that was a pretty easy argument for the Crusaders to make to the NZRU currently.</p>
<p> </p>
<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>Nice argument, except you don't get hardened unless you get a chance, and this creates one less chance for an NZ eligible player.</p>
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<p>The Saders inability to hold on to players (such as FWGJMN) shouldn't be a reason to get another outsider in and you're suggesting locking down one open spot with the Mitre 10 cup to come? WHat's the point of being good in that competition if there are no open Super spots to compete for?</p>
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<p>Rant approaching...</p>
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<p>I'm surprised that I'm the only one who thinks this is a stupid idea. There seems to be a kind of satisfaction from the Sader fans that bringing in an retired Aussie winger is step up for their team? I don't get how you (not exactly you Wurzel, the wider group) bag Todd Blackadder for his shitty selections then go gaga for a 31 year old who's most likely to be a failure anyway.</p>
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<p>The best case scenario is that he comes back as the 2011 version, but that was 6 years ago - when he was up against Hosea Gear (who was a <em>huge</em> success when he came back for the Chiefs), Sivi (long gone), Jane (the best argument for him, as he is older but also on the way out), and Kahui (same age, but also with dodgy shoulders).</p>
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<p>Plus, he's been playing for the <em>Heat</em> here, who are fucking <em>terrible</em>, and wikipedia tells me he didn't manage to score any points for them in one season.</p>
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<p>So, fucking great buy! </p>
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<p>End rant.</p> -
<p>They're mainly reasonable points GT12. The most surprising thing to me is that if he's available and good, that there's not Australian franchises queuing up to take him.</p>
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<p>On the face of it, I'm not that bothered about adding one Australian wing to our squads (to replace another), but it's a worrying trend at e.g. tighthead prop where, as I've pointed out before, there's a significant number of ineligible players been signed and occupying roles in matchday 23s. I'd say enough that it's potentially compromising our international strength.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="600118" data-time="1469434656">
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<p>The Highlanders have Tanaka, the Chiefs Leitch and the Blues Francis. Not sure the Crusaders are any more evil than what has become standard in NZ Super Rugby franchises.</p>
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IIRC, Francis' parents live in NZ, and he hasn't played international rugby. Not sure if he in NZ qualified though.</p>
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<p>Sa'u has played for Japan.</p>
