Hurricanes 2024
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So so so glad we've re-signed Delany and Sangster. I'm so much happier about this side now knowing those two have been signed up.
Shame Morgan is still there, would have loved to sign McClutchie.
Interesting that on the Instagram post they've lumped Jordie with the inside backs.
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Post squad thoughts on the Canes strongest 23 I would actually go with the following:
- T Mafileo
- A Aumua
- T Lomax
- C Delany
- J Sangster
- T Howden / B Shields
- D Kirifi
- D Flanders
- C Roigard
- B Cameron
- K Naholo
- J Barrett
- B Proctor
- B Sullivan
- R Love
- J O'Reilly
- X Numia
- S Lauaki
- I Walker-Leawere
- P Lakai
- T Perenara
- H Godfrey
- R Higgins
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@Stargazer The annoying thing about this squad is the amount of locks we've signed. We could have signed one less lock and signed up McClutchie instead. Just seems so odd.
I wonder who's in the wider squad? Maybe he's in there potentially with a promise that he will have a full contract in 2025.
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@Tim Sullivan played wing for the AB XVs and went well there. He’ll be more effective than the bus who was well out of his prime. Also Moorby isn’t a bad option on the right and Naholo will want to nail down that 11 jersey for the Canes after playing well last season. I’m picking the Canes to make the semis, and I’m hoping we can make it to the big dance but it will depend which players can stay fit.
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The Hurricanes email they sent out has an extra member in the squad. They have Jordi Vijoen in there as a fourth halfback. Maybe TJ has still a bit of work to do on rehabbing that injury.
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@Canes4life Was surprised not to see Jordi Viljoen in the squad. Surely he's a better option that Judd??
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Looks weaker than this year.
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If Laidlaw is any good, he should do well with this side. Esp if he appoints a VG head forwards coach (its odd that all is so quiet on this front)
My biggest concern is 1st 5.
But this will be a good test of Laidlaw's coaching ability. Morgan is a useless first that hopefully is in his final year. Love was poor this NPC and needs to focus on regaining form at FB. Godfrey is not even close to being ready yet. The obvious answer Cameron starting with Barrett as his backup. Except for the easier games where another option can be given game time.
2 big pluses. Blackwell is gone. And Prinsep too. Not their fault but once regular starters and not even close to being good enough at this level. So, I'll add the dumb coaches who selected them as well. So, a new start. I just hope they step up. Tamati Ellison didn't at NPC level as a head coach. I hope Laidlaw isn't a repeat.
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@Winger the expectation should be to compete for the title but it will be up to the likes of Roigard, Cameron, Barrett and Love (as key game drivers) to put us in the right areas of the park. They failed to do that against the Brumbies when it counted for the last two seasons, so that should be a key work on.
As per usual we will also need a good forwards coach to get the best out of our pack so our backs can do their thing. Guys pushing for AB selection like Mafileo, Numia, Aumua, Delany, Sangster, Howden and Flanders will all be after big campaigns so it's exciting, let's hope they stand up.
We've got quite a few players in their third/fourth season at the Canes so it should be the coming of age for a lot of them.
Add in the input of young up and coming players like Lakai, Godfrey, Higgins and Lauaki and there is a lot to like about this squad.
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@sparky if Cameron gets injured we are in trouble. I feel like that's the case with most teams this year though so I'm not too bothered.
I.e. Dmac is crucial to the Chiefs, Burke (already out) is crucial to the Crusaders, Perofeta to the Blues etc.
