Bledisloe II - Have a stab at the teams.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="607993" data-time="1471832442"><p>Steve Hansen, when asked about Rieko Ioane's selection, said:<br>
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"Yes, he had a very good Super season and he's really someone who we see, in the future, could have a long career. He's only 19 and he's got the opportunity with two guys who are injured - both are short-term injuries, so they'll be back. Seta has already been with us and we bring Rieko in to have a look at."<br>
<br><a class="bbc_url" href="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/rugby/we-see-rieko-ioane-having-long-career-all-blacks-call-teenage-sensation-bledisloe-cup-decider.html?autoPlay=5093412660001">https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/rugby/we-see-rieko-ioane-having-long-career-all-blacks-call-teenage-sensation-bledisloe-cup-decider.html?autoPlay=5093412660001</a></p></blockquote>
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Ouch, that's really tough on James Lowe imho. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="608023" data-time="1471837554">
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<p>Sounds like Rieko could even be in the frame to play this week. Team naming Thursday should be even more interesting this week compared to the usual shock of the team being named on Thursday....</p>
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<p>How the hell do you know when the team is being named?! I'm reporting you to the police as a suspect in the bugging.</p> -
<p>Bryan Williams debuted at 19 , toured south africa and scored 14 tries in 13 games in an era where less tries were scored . </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="608040" data-time="1471840530">
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<p>Bryan Williams debuted at 19 , toured south africa and scored 14 tries in 13 games in an era where less tries were scored . </p>
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<p>Toeava also debuted at 19 if I recall.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="607962" data-time="1471829121"><p>
Disappointing (edit: with respect to the hookers). Radio Sport just tweeted this:<br><br>
All Blacks call in Liam Coltman and James Parsons, Damian McKenzie, Seta Tamanivalu and Reiko Ioane.</p></blockquote>None of those players are Hurricanes. :(<br><br>
The Hurricanes now have the fewest players in the AB squad of any NZ Super franchise, despite finishing top of the NZ conference and winning the Super title after not conceding a try in 240+ minutes of knock out Rugby. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="608051" data-time="1471843914"><p>
None of those players are Hurricanes. :(<br><br>
The Hurricanes now have the fewest players in the AB squad of any NZ Super franchise, despite finishing top of the NZ conference and winning the Super title after not conceding a try in 240+ minutes of knock out Rugby.</p></blockquote>
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Aren't you then supposed to suggest Boyd rings Shag and gives him a stern talking too? -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="608051" data-time="1471843914">
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<p>None of those players are Hurricanes. :(<br><br>
The Hurricanes now have the fewest players in the AB squad of any NZ Super franchise, despite finishing top of the NZ conference and winning the Super title after not conceding a try in 240+ minutes of knock out Rugby.</p>
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<p>It's just a bloody disgrace.</p> -
I am outraged.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="608062" data-time="1471847014"><p>
I am outraged.</p></blockquote>Indeed. I am sooooooooooo outraged that I might support Australia this weekend. :)<br><br>
In all seriousness, congratulations to all five players. I am delighted to see DMac and Reiko Ioane in there who I think are going to be outstanding in a couple of seasons.<br><br>
I'd have picked Riccitelli as one of the Hookers and Proctor for utility value ahead of Seta. But as ever, lot of opinions, but it is only the coaches' selections that actually matter. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="608012" data-time="1471835445">
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<p>From a purely selfish Mitre 10 Cup viewpoint thank christ they did not call up Ash Dixon and <span>Ricky Riccitelli</span>.</p>
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<p>A Hawke's Bay supporter taking a purely selfish viewpoint? Well, colour me stunned.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="608051" data-time="1471843914">
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<p>None of those players are Hurricanes. :(<br><br>
The Hurricanes now have the fewest players in the AB squad of any NZ Super franchise, despite finishing top of the NZ conference and winning the Super title after not conceding a try in 240+ minutes of knock out Rugby.</p>
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<p>On the other hand - the top four NZ Super sides finished on 53,52,51 and 50 points respectively - and the Hurricanes had the worst points differential of the lot.</p>
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<p>The cards ended up falling you guys' way - three finals games against teams travelling from South Africa - well done for winning the competition, but I don't think you really dominated the competition.</p>
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<p>I realise you are just joking - but, I thought I'd just point out a reality for the LCDs. </p> -
100%, the team with the home finals was always odds on to win the comp, and the Canes taking top spot was reliant on other results. But fuck me I'll take it after last years heart break
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="608077" data-time="1471851470">
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<p>Coltman is lucky, that's for sure. Was he injured in the latter stages of Super Rugby or had Pleasants Tate taken his place on merit on the Highlanders bench ?</p>
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<p>He was injured from the last week or so of April and only returned to full fitness in mid-July.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="608078" data-time="1471852350"><p>
On the other hand - the top four NZ Super sides finished on 53,52,51 and 50 points respectively - and the Hurricanes had the worst points differential of the lot.<br><br>
The cards ended up falling you guys' way - three finals games against teams travelling from South Africa - well done for winning the competition, but I don't think you really dominated the competition.<br><br>
I realise you are just joking - but, I thought I'd just point out a reality for the LCDs.<br></p></blockquote>The Hurricanes didn't dominate the competition that is for sure. They were awful in the first game against the Brumbies and mediocre in their second against the Highlanders. The NZ conference went down to the final weekend with four sides in with a shot of topping the conference. The Hurricanes hit form at the right time.<br><br>
I disagree with the assertion that the Hurricanes won because the cards fell their way. They won the competition because of a helluva of lot hard work by the squad and excellent coaching by Boyd and Plumtree. We were fortunate to have two of the best players in the world right now in Beauden Barrett and Dane Coles, aided by the very experienced Victor Vito and Cory Jane who were hungry for success having tasted much disappointment with the franchise over the years. TJP, Ardie Savea and Brad Shields played perhaps the best Rugby of their careers so far in the business end of the season.<br><br>
The Hurricanes had a star squad rather than a squad of stars. There were no weak links in the player roster and everyone played their part during the campaign at some stage. Injuries happened to first-choice players but other players slotted in and did very well. The spirit in the squad was excellent.<br><br>
The key to the successful campaign in so many ways was the 35-10 win over the Crusaders in Christchurch at the end of the regular season. Not only did it put the Hurricanes top of the NZ conference, but IMHO the quality of the performance gave them huge belief going into the knock out games. It is many years since I have seen the forward pack of a NZ team get the better of the Crusaders forwards on their own turf like that. Awesome stuff and a welcome change from some of the beatings the Hurricanes have received from the Crusaders over the years that is for sure.
