Crusaders 2019
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Nice to see a number of Saders players playing well in that semi - from both sides.
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Joe Moody has re-signed with NZR and the Crusaders for four more years (through to 2022).
http://www.allblacks.com/News/33324/moody-re-commits-to-nz-rugby-and-bnz-crusaders
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As mentioned in the Blues thread Raymond Nu'u has impressed in a losing Southland side the question is Razor onto this young player for the Crusaders ? I couldn't believe Maddocks stuffed up letting him go to Southland and then signed 2 plonders Beard and Burleigh instead.
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@chris He's apparently been in the WTG so Razor should be well aware of him.
You'd also think that Razor and Maddock would have had a few discussions about the Canterbury squad and who should have been in it.
Be quite interesting seeing the new squad on Wednesday. I'm picking there will be half a dozen newbies to replace - Tamanivalu, Delany, Crockett, Samu, Bateman and Macilai -though other than Douglas, there's not been much news on who these guys will be.
I'm betting Brett Cameron will be one. Seems to be plenty of speculation about who's going where -I've lost track of what's confirmed, but I wouldn't mind seeing Razor pick up Tumua Manu from Auckland.
Lindenmuth would be quite a likely prospect to replace Crockett.
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@chris-b said in Crusaders 2019:
@chris He's apparently been in the WTG so Razor should be well aware of him.
You'd also think that Razor and Maddock would have had a few discussions about the Canterbury squad and who should have been in it.
Be quite interesting seeing the new squad on Wednesday. I'm picking there will be half a dozen newbies to replace - Tamanivalu, Delany, Crockett, Samu, Bateman and Macilai -though other than Douglas, there's not been much news on who these guys will be.
I'm betting Brett Cameron will be one. Seems to be plenty of speculation about who's going where -I've lost track of what's confirmed, but I wouldn't mind seeing Razor pick up Tumua Manu from Auckland.
Lindenmuth would be quite a likely prospect to replace Crockett.
I've been keeping this up-to-date:
https://www.thesilverfern.com/2018/08/05/crusaders-2019-discussion/
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@chris said in Crusaders 2019:
@chris-b Rumour Tom Christie was going to the Blues Razor talked him out of it and he's in the Crusaders 38
Don't think we'll have both him and Niko Jones in the 38. Not sure either would be ready for Super rugby if Matt Todd went down for the season - though I've never seen Jones.
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@chris-b I watched him (Jones) closely during the NZ Schools' games and the Top Four Final. He's a good player for his age, but often tried too hard and did things by himself instead of involving (trusting) his team mates. Rookie mistakes. Potentially very good, but lots and lots to learn. IMO too early for SR; should play NPC first. Think he's more potential than Christie, but we'll have to wait and see. Not all school rugby talent develops well; although with his pedegree, it's what you'd expect.
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I think Niko Jones is all class personally but a lack of size could potentially hold him back. His skill set is fantastic especially off the back of the scrum where I haven't seen a schoolboy as good as he is in that area. He's also very quick over the ball on defence as well as being a good tackler. I think 7 could be his future if he doesn't grow but he definitely has the skills to play at 8.
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The Crusaders have possibly also signed a Fijian winger from Hastings Boys HS, I assume on a development contract. Michael Naitokani played in this years 1st XV squad that lost the Hurricanes 1st XV final to Napier BHS. I can't say much about him, because only one HBHS game was televised and I've watched one via a livestream (that Hurricanes Final), but he knows how to find the try line!
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@chris said in Crusaders 2019:
As mentioned in the Blues thread Raymond Nu'u has impressed in a losing Southland side the question is Razor onto this young player for the Crusaders ? I couldn't believe Maddocks stuffed up letting him go to Southland and then signed 2 plonders Beard and Burleigh instead.
Anyone who’s watched club rugby this year would agree it was a massive stuff up by Maddock. I said that before the NPC kicked off
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@stargazer said in Crusaders 2019:
IMO too early for SR; should play NPC first. Think he's more potential than Christie, but we'll have to wait and see. Not all school rugby talent develops well; although with his pedegree, it's what you'd expect.
That right there is the problem though, kids getting full contracts straight out of school.
In an ideal world, we would select these guys from NPC and the development contracts could be offered to kids as a pathway.
I think a prime example is Sam Nock, highly rated schoolboy, but has struggled at Super Level and TBH, really only found his feet at NPC this year, which was his 4th season IIRC, so you coudl argue the super side may have hindered him rather than helped.
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@taniwharugby Yup plenty of examples of it too. To be fair a few have come off but there have probably been a lot more failures than successes.
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@taniwharugby Yep, I'd say, test them at NPC level first. The Bay had 6 players from last year's champions Hastings 1st XV squad in the team; five have clearly proven to be of NPC level, the 6th only got one game due to injury. Flanders was one of the best in the 2018 NZU20s squad, and I expect at least 5 of the 6 in next year's NZU20s. Flanders has a SR contract, and I think McClutchie, Fakatava, Kereru-Symes and Toala all deserve at least a SR development contract (maybe Tavita-Metcalfe too, but he has not had enough opportunities to show it). But the Canes being the Canes, I doubt they all get one; they'll be lucky if another franchise has signed them. But the point is, we now know they are deserving.
Although it should be said, the Chiefs, Crusaders and Highlanders are better at identifying talent than the Canes and Blues. The Blues may improve now (hopefully) with better coaches in their set-up; the Canes need to get over their regional pro-Wellington bias.
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@taniwharugby Yeah I have to agree it seems very hit and miss signing players who haven't been through the NPC which is a great grounding for young players.Franchises seem nervous about waiting incase they miss out.Maybe contracting should be aligned to the NPC.Then have a televised draft day like the Americans do would be great viewing.
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[link text](link url)https://m.facebook.com/crusadersrugby/photos/a.10150098825782147/10156887631882147/?type=3&source=48
Check down the page some clues on the Saders page about new signings
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