Hurricanes 2019 Discussion
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YOUNG TRIO SIGNED BY HURRICANES UNTIL 2021 Wed 24th Apr The Hurricanes continue to position their squad well for the future by adding three more promising players to their roster for at least the next two seasons. Lock Liam Mitchell (23), fullback Chase Tiatia (23) and utility back Danny Toala (20) are the latest group to have signed with the club until 2021. Their decision follows closely on from promising prop Xavier Numia (20), openside flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi (22), and lock James Blackwell (23) also committing to the Hurricanes for the same period with Vince Aso (24) and Alex Fidow (21) signing on until at least the 2022 Investec Super Rugby season. Tiatia has quickly become an established selection since he was given an opportunity as injury cover following a long period of training with the Hurricanes while Mitchell has also impressed in his rookie season and has appeared in every match to date along with Blackwell. Toala, meanwhile, has been a real stand-out for the Hurricanes Hunters and Under-20 sides. He was on the cusp of making his Hurricanes debut against the Stormers in March when named on the reserves bench without making it on to the field. Hurricanes general manager of rugby Ben Castle said it was great news for the Hurricanes to have a real commitment from these talented young men. "It is really pleasing for the club to announce further signings. These players have great futures ahead and we are delighted they will be part of the Hurricanes family over the next few seasons." he said. Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree felt the latest group of players would add significantly to the stability of the squad moving ahead. "We know a lot of players move on during a Rugby World Cup cycle so it is really important to have a group of players who want to establish themselves in the Hurricanes jersey and play a big part in our plans moving forward," he said. -
@Stargazer might this weekend. with Ben Lam likely out and though the Barretts are back, im picking Jordy at full back and Tiatia moved to wing? some reason i dont see Rayasi getting game time. which may leave Toala covering hopefully
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@BerhamporeNinja Definitely not this weekend. He's with the NZU20s in Australia.
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@BerhamporeNinja nah Tiatia is too slow to be shafted to the wing. I'm thinking Jordie will start at fullback and Tiatia will drop out of the 23 altogether with Rayasi possibly coming in to start.
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A nice piece on Canes loosehead Fraser Armstrong. I thought he was alot younger than 27.
Super Rugby 2019: Promising prop Fraser Armstrong's unconventional journey to Hurricanes | Newshub
Fraser Armstrong almost give up on rugby - now he's a Super Rugby starter.
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@Machpants But look at that backline!
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@Machpants said in Hurricanes 2019 Discussion:
@Nepia yeah 6+ is pretty darned good
Although 10 was a bit dicey until BB came along (although if the Hammettuer hadn't of come along it probably would have been Cruden in there).
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@Nepia 6+ + Coles is pretty darn good.
Would there be any other better backline than that? Maybe the Blues??
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2019 Discussion:
@Nepia 6+ + Coles is pretty darn good.
Would there be any other better backline than that? Maybe the Blues??
Not sure - I don’t think so, there’s no midfield to compete with the Canes, even if Smith gets injured, Tana and Nonu would still dominate. No back three could compare either.
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@Nepia 11. Cacau/Lomu 14. Howlett and 15. Mils would be fairly deadly.
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2019 Discussion:
@Nepia 11. Cacau/Lomu 14. Howlett and 15. Mils would be fairly deadly.
Caucau is not eligible.
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2019 Discussion:
@Nepia 11. Lomu 14. Howlett/Roks and 15. Mils would be fairly deadly.
fixed
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@Nepia said in Hurricanes 2019 Discussion:
@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2019 Discussion:
@Nepia 6+ + Coles is pretty darn good.
Would there be any other better backline than that? Maybe the Blues??
Not sure - I don’t think so, there’s no midfield to compete with the Canes, even if Smith gets injured, Tana and Nonu would still dominate. No back three could compare either.
Had a go at a Crusaders backline and was stuck between SBW and Dagg on the left wing. Carter the only position where the Crusaders are clearly better.
Possibly in 10 years we'll be able to challenge it, depending on the careers of Goodhue, Bridge, Jordan and Ennor.
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Didn't want to continue the discussion about the Hurricanes' props in the Hurricanes v Rebels thread, so I'll post this here.
Toby Smith is 30 and his contract expires at the end of the season.
Eves is 31 and May is 36. I think they'll be off-contract, too.So - with JT-A (28) leaving, that leaves the following props if the older guys are not re-signed:
Fraser Armstrong (27) - LH
Alex Fidow (21) - TH
Xavier Numia (20) - LHThat's many gaps to fill.
Who are the young props in the provinces:
Hawke's Bay:
Tim Farrell (21) - LH (2017 NZU20 and 5 NPC games in 2017)
Pouri Rakete-Stones (21) - TH (2016 and 2017 NZU20; 18 NPC games in 2017-2018). Has also played in the 2 jersey.
Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe (20) - TH (1 NPC game in 2018) - was in 2019 NZU20 camp, but not picked. He has played LH, too. A big lad.Wellington:
Kaliopasi Uluilakepa (20) - TH (2018 and 2019 NZU20; 2 NPC games in 2018)
Don't know whether Joel Hintz (13 NPC games in 2017-2018?) and Sitiveni Paonga (LH & hooker?) are SR material. I think Paonga has been playing for Wellington for a while?Manawatu:
Sione Asi (almost 21) - TH (2018 NZU20; 10 NPC games in 2017-2018)Have I missed someone?
