Crusaders 2024
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Not helped by Fergus Burke (Achilles) being sidelined until April, they’ll head into the season with second-year No 10 Taha Kemara (two caps) and former Chief Rivez Reihana (eight caps) battling it out for the starting job.
Penney ruled out playing Welsh great and outside back Leigh Halfpenny there, and said there were no plans to move midfielder David Havili into the playmaking role.
“It’s a great opportunity for someone to put their hand up. Taha has been here for a season now and is a very talented individual, and Rivez matured and led Northland around really effectively. Neither of them have had a great deal of experience at Super yet, and it's really important for people around them to take the heat off them and let them do their thing."
Penney confirmed academy member and Canterbury outside back Blair Murray was “very close” to earning a full contract, and would train with the team as an injury replacement for Burke.
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I thought Jager had always dreamed of being an AB…ah well.
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@Chris said in Crusaders 2024:
@sparky said in Crusaders 2024:
Weakest looking Crusaders squad I can remember. I think they will finish behind the Chiefs and the Blues this year. Semi Finalists at best.
I have heard that one before,last season they were written off.
Having Razor and Mo'unga is a wee bit different.....
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@KiwiMurph said in Crusaders 2024:
@Chris said in Crusaders 2024:
@sparky said in Crusaders 2024:
Weakest looking Crusaders squad I can remember. I think they will finish behind the Chiefs and the Blues this year. Semi Finalists at best.
I have heard that one before,last season they were written off.
Having Razor and Mo'unga is a wee bit different.....
Sure but last year they won with
no Grace,Blackadder,Bower,Moody,Newell,,Reece,For the Finals
lost some other depth with Dunshea,Brewis and McAlister injured
Bell was injured for a decent spell.Goodhue as well,Had big parts of the Season where Whitelock and Jordan didn't play
and still got home to win the title.
never say Never it will come the time they will lose but to write them off as Semi Finalists at best 3 1/2 months before the comp starts is a bit early I would think. -
I am not sure about 6 loose forwards when at least three of them struggle to get on the park consistently.
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@Chris said in Crusaders 2024:
@KiwiMurph said in Crusaders 2024:
@Chris said in Crusaders 2024:
@sparky said in Crusaders 2024:
Weakest looking Crusaders squad I can remember. I think they will finish behind the Chiefs and the Blues this year. Semi Finalists at best.
I have heard that one before,last season they were written off.
Having Razor and Mo'unga is a wee bit different.....
Sure but last year they won with
no Grace,Blackadder,Bower,Moody,Newell,Ennor,Reece,For the Finals
Had big parts of the Season where Whitelock and Jordan didn't play
and still got home to win the title.
never say Never it will come the time they will lose but to write them off as Semi Finalists at best 3 1/2 months before the comp starts is a bit early I would think.I hear you. But to be perfectly honest if another team can't win the title this year that says more about the state of the other teams than it does the Crusaders. It's a golden chance for other teams this year to win it.
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@KiwiMurph said in Crusaders 2024:
@Chris said in Crusaders 2024:
@KiwiMurph said in Crusaders 2024:
@Chris said in Crusaders 2024:
@sparky said in Crusaders 2024:
Weakest looking Crusaders squad I can remember. I think they will finish behind the Chiefs and the Blues this year. Semi Finalists at best.
I have heard that one before,last season they were written off.
Having Razor and Mo'unga is a wee bit different.....
Sure but last year they won with
no Grace,Blackadder,Bower,Moody,Newell,Ennor,Reece,For the Finals
Had big parts of the Season where Whitelock and Jordan didn't play
and still got home to win the title.
never say Never it will come the time they will lose but to write them off as Semi Finalists at best 3 1/2 months before the comp starts is a bit early I would think.I hear you. But to be perfectly honest if another team can't win the title this year that says more about the state of the other teams than it does the Crusaders. It's a golden chance for other teams this year to win it.
Yes a fair call I would have to agree.
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@Crazy-Horse said in Crusaders 2024:
I am not sure about 6 loose forwards when at least three of them struggle to get on the park consistently.
Yes I think we are light there, I suppose we will have LFs training with the squad but a bit unbalanced.
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@KiwiMurph although I think part of the reason they have so much success, or at least have had, is the continuation of systems and structures, then when a new coach comes in they just add thier personal flavour to things.
I'll be surprised if they aren't there come the business end.
But do agree overall the quality of the comp is a concern.
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@sparky said in Crusaders 2024:
Weakest looking Crusaders squad I can remember. I think they will finish behind the Chiefs and the Blues this year. Semi Finalists at best.
2016 we had to find a new first five and signed a rookie Mo'unga, Ben Volavola and Marty McKenzie and let them shoot it out.
https://www.superxv.com/crusaders-confirm-2016-super-rugby-squad/
Very ordinary - especially in the backs.
We will need Penney to be a decent coach and better luck with injuries than last year.
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