Crusaders 2019
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@chchfanatic said in Crusaders 2019:
Humphrey shield
Do you mean Humphrey Sheild, the Napier Boys' halfback who played for NZ Schools last year?
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@stargazer yes. He is at Lincoln uni , but they loaned him to UC. Pretty sure he has signed with Ta$man rather than Canterbury, but still in crusaders catchment
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@chchfanatic said in Crusaders 2019:
@shark who said he was pissing off afterwards. From what I’m lead to believe he wants to stay here
It's pretty unlikely given his background that he plans to qualify for NZ on residency grounds. Stranger things have happened, but I reckon what we're seeing is a player who has more faith in a NZ system developing his game than an Australian one, and nothing more. Once he's been given a leg-up and maybe played a few games for Canterbury and the Crusaders he'll be back off to Sydney's Eastern or Northern suburbs and into an Australian Super Rugby squad.
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I'll give you a similar yet contrasting experience as reasons why Frost would take this avenue. Pete Samu VS Peter Betham. Samu came over, stuck at it and after several seasons rising through the Ta$man and Crusaders ranks has gone home a far more accomplished player. Peter Betham made a big impact for Ta$man one season, enhanced his Aussie SR prospects so went back for another crack at it and did F all. I'm fairly sure Frost is using our system for the same reason but will take full advantage of it ala Samu.
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Remember when Skelton's brother signed with the Chiefs (development) with large fanfare? What happened to him? Is he still around?
On Frost - I don't want him playing for NZ after residency ... I hope he goes back to Australia and hasn't blocked a local Cantab (or NZer) from a spot on the advancement pathway.
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@shark I think samu would’ve played for abs if he got selected. I think he knew he was never going to , so took the opportunity when Aussie came calling. Mike alaalatoa is another one. Do u think he would turn down an all blacks jersey
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@chchfanatic Well he's Australian, so i expect he would.
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@chchfanatic said in Crusaders 2019:
@nepia why not. He didnt choose where he was born. Just like any of the PI boys that have played for all blacks.
What relevance do NZers of PI descent have to do with an Australian possibly wanting to play for NZ. Your dream of country franchises is silly.
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@chchfanatic said in Crusaders 2019:
@nepia so sivivatu and rokocoko were born in nz
Oh right, so you're just trolling. Carry on then.
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@chchfanatic said in Crusaders 2019:
@nepia no not at all. All I’m saying if it’s ok for us to let PI born players play for NZ , then why not a Aussie born kid ( who obviously didn’t get to choose where he was born ) if he fills the required residency etc
It's not ok to let PI born players who arrive as adults (Roks is completely different, Frizell is likely a better example) play for NZ, it's allowable under the current WR regulations but we shouldn't actively do it, we don't need to, we have enough talent.
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@chchfanatic There are Crusaders academies in Christchurch and Nelson - presume the names you've listed are the recruits in Christchurch? This old article thrown up by google says 44 players in the two academies in 2015.
https://crusaders.co.nz/news/817-crusaders-academy-to-grow-talent-base
Seems a bit strange to me that the Crusaders would choose to develop an Aussie kid - especially one whose dad works for the ARU. Wonder if there's a quid pro quo going on there?
Conversely to @shark I reckon Alaalatoa will play for the ABs in the next 18 months - provided Hansen thinks he's better than JTA - and given the way he's given loosehead Tim Perry precedence, he probably does.
But, I tend to agree with @Nepia that we shouldn't be encouraging this sort of treachery. Before we know it, the English will be using an army of NZ mercenaries against us.
Not to mention the Western Province!
@MiketheSnow