Hurricanes 2018
-
@winger I'm a little confused about your rating of Walker-Leawere. You say you "rate him highly if the Hurricanes have signed him". Does this mean you don't rate the guy if he fails to land a Hurricanes contract? I'm guessing you are placing faith in the ability of having Richard Watt amongst the Hurricanes mix doing wonders judging by the way someone (presumably Watt) has managed to transform Sam Lousi from a basket case into quite a decent looking prospect in the space of just one year since he arrived in Wellington.
-
Stuff's report on tonight's counties game says that Sam Henwood is 'believed to be joining the Canes next year'. A good signing.
-
Not even sure if Walker-Leawere will fit into the squad given last years contracted players that played at lock were Geoff Cridge, James Blackwell, Blade Thompson, Mark Abbott, Vaea Fifita, Sam Lousi, James Broadhurst and Michael Fatialofa. Abbott has signed for someone overseas and Broadhurst has retired (Lousi effectively being his replacement) leaving six others so I guess it all depends on how many of those listed are still engaged on multi-year deals that cover 2018 before we can get a good indication on whether there is space for Walker-Leawere on the roster. Putting my thinking cap on Blackwell might only have been bumped into the full time squad after Thompson fell over.
Must also be about time Christian Lloyd reappeared on the scene again and to be awarded a contract (presumably funded almost entirely by the Accident Compensation Corporation) as well? -
@number-10 said in Hurricanes 2018:
Geoff Cridge has a one-year contract for 2018 only, but it was reported in the HB Today this week he will be out for 12 months with the knee injury he has just collected playing for HB.
Great signing
-
@higgins said in Hurricanes 2018:
@winger I'm a little confused about your rating of Walker-Leawere. You say you "rate him highly if the Hurricanes have signed him". Does this mean you don't rate the guy if he fails to land a Hurricanes contract? I'm guessing you are placing faith in the ability of having Richard Watt amongst the Hurricanes mix doing wonders judging by the way someone (presumably Watt) has managed to transform Sam Lousi from a basket case into quite a decent looking prospect in the space of just one year since he arrived in Wellington.
No i mean Also I wouldn't discount Isaia Walker-Leawere (I rate him highly) at 19 if the Canes have signed him.
-
@higgins said in Hurricanes 2018:
Not even sure if Walker-Leawere will fit into the squad given last years contracted players that played at lock were Geoff Cridge, James Blackwell, Blade Thompson, Mark Abbott, Vaea Fifita, Sam Lousi, James Broadhurst and Michael Fatialofa. Abbott has signed for someone overseas and Broadhurst has retired (Lousi effectively being his replacement) leaving six others so I guess it all depends on how many of those listed are still engaged on multi-year deals that cover 2018 before we can get a good indication on whether there is space for Walker-Leawere on the roster. Putting my thinking cap on Blackwell might only have been bumped into the full time squad after Thompson fell over.
Must also be about time Christian Lloyd reappeared on the scene again and to be awarded a contract (presumably funded almost entirely by the Accident Compensation Corporation) as well?I hope they can sign him. his combination with Lousi was very good. It was this combination in the Canterbury game. He far and away better than Blackwell
-
@winger said in Hurricanes 2018:
@higgins said in Hurricanes 2018:
@winger I'm a little confused about your rating of Walker-Leawere. You say you "rate him highly if the Hurricanes have signed him". Does this mean you don't rate the guy if he fails to land a Hurricanes contract? I'm guessing you are placing faith in the ability of having Richard Watt amongst the Hurricanes mix doing wonders judging by the way someone (presumably Watt) has managed to transform Sam Lousi from a basket case into quite a decent looking prospect in the space of just one year since he arrived in Wellington.
No i mean Also I wouldn't discount Isaia Walker-Leawere (I rate him highly) at 19 if the Canes have signed him.
I suppose the big unknown is how well will Blade Thompson come back and whether he will take back the No 8 position sending Brad Shields back onto the blindside spot which he seems to be largely preferred at by the Hurricanes selectors.
-
Very good signing. (And West will be concerned). He was a big improver this year so will watch with interest how he goes.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/97943862/jackson-gardenbachop-signs-twoyear-super-rugby-deal-with-hurricanes
Jackson Garden-Bachop signs two-year Super Rugby deal with Hurricanes
After making his debut in Super Rugby with the Melbourne Rebels in 2017, Wellington first five-eighth Jackson Garden-Bachop is coming home. -
@canefan said in Hurricanes 2018:
Didn't we sign West from the blues to back up BB? Does that mean Garden Bachop will be third string?
.West signed in a swap with Black. And no based on NPC form. GB has so far been very good. With the right development and coaching he could be right up there with the best in NZ. Hes currently not the fastest 1st around and this is one area where work is needed
-
@canefan West is an excellent bench option with his pace and eye for a gap when the game breaks up. He made a few appearances off the bench for the Blues this year and he was electric - I think that is his best spot. He's not as well suited to start at 10. He just doesnt have the all around game/feel. Potentially Garden-Bachop is better suited to start at 10 for the Canes if BB is injured/rested. As a Blues fan i'm just hoping Perofeta gets an injury free run and a real crack at the 10 shirt - with Black out he has a real chance to make it his own.
-
I’ve read through the whole thread and don’t see any predictions of future ABs from Canes4Life. Disappointing.
Looks a settled squad for the Canes with the starting XV almost picking itself. A couple of question marks around the locks and whether Goosen will get more starts than Bus.