Crusaders 2024
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Johnny McNicholl to return to New Zealand
Scarlets have agreed to Johnny McNicholl’s request to be released from his contract to take up a playing opportunity in New Zealand. McNicholl, 33, made 130 appearances for the Scarlets over eight…
He must have got tired of being in a team that has been embarrassingly poor (as well as struggling big time financially) these last two seasons.
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..and confirmation that McNicholl is with the Crusaders now
Crusaders bolster injury-hit fullback stocks with return of Johnny McNicholl
The Crusaders have brought in another Welsh international fullback to help ease the burden of losing All Black Will Jordan.
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@Duluth said in Crusaders 2024:
..and confirmation that McNicholl is with the Crusaders now
Crusaders bolster injury-hit fullback stocks with return of Johnny McNicholl
The Crusaders have brought in another Welsh international fullback to help ease the burden of losing All Black Will Jordan.
Yes due back to ChCH next week
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@Chris I think if you are gonna give the young guy a chance, you gotta back them, or at least give them a decent crack.
Plus is Havili really the answer?
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@taniwharugby said in Crusaders 2024:
@Chris I think if you are gonna give the young guy a chance, you gotta back them, or at least give them a decent crack.
Plus is Havili really the answer?
No Havilli is not the answer,I don't believe Kemera is either but they have to run with him at least another game and hope he improves.
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@Chris yeah, while last week he struggled, if he gets another crack and struggles again, then you need to look at how you use him going forward, too often these guys are thrown in the deep end, they fall over then dropped, at least he has the chance to redeem himself.
Any news on Reihana? Who may also not be the answer, but certainly showed enough to warrant a further look too.
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@taniwharugby said in Crusaders 2024:
@Chris yeah, while last week he struggled, if he gets another crack and struggles again, then you need to look at how you use him going forward, too often these guys are thrown in the deep end, they fall over then dropped, at least he has the chance to redeem himself.
Any news on Reihana? Who may also not be the answer, but certainly showed enough to warrant a further look too.
Reihana due back Rd 7 or 8.
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@taniwharugby Yeah Kemara does deserve a decent Crack I feel. I do feel for him a bit coming in straight after Mo'unga when the spotlight is gonna be heavily on him but he'll be better for the run.
Havili at 10 would be nothing more Than a stop gap measure and a short sighted move. Penney is right putting his faith in his current options.
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@African-Monkey said in Crusaders 2024:
Havili at 10 would be nothing more Than a stop gap measure and a short sighted move
But with Reihana and Burke due back in a month or so there's a real argument than Havili as the stop gap is what's needed.
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@KiwiMurph Fair argument, but if they see Kemara as their man for the future, why not give him a fair crack now and see what he's about? A bit of short term pain for long term gain?
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I don't remember Havili being a huge success at 1st 5 either. I think it would have been better to partner Kemara with a more experienced halfback against NSW. They are doing that this week.
And just to put it into perspective. Kemara is only the no.3 1st 5 for Waikato, so is still learning his trade.
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@Bovidae said in Crusaders 2024:
I don't remember Havili being a huge success at 1st 5 either.
Only one start at SR or NPC level. It was a against the Chiefs in 2020. He was very good in the first and then had a few errors in the second half
He looked promising though. When you look at some of the other names they've used since I presume he doesn't want to play there
You can see a couple of his involvements here:
