Hurricanes v Stormers
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@mariner4life Don't worry, I'm preparing an article for the front-page about exactly how many Chiefs are going to jump ship this year.
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@Stargazer said in Hurricanes v Stormers:
The funny thing is, the Canes still haven't posted the line-up. Has Newshub broken embargo?
The Canes can't find a photo of Glen Osborne for their website so that's no surprise.
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Alot of talent not playing that would make that 23: Aso, Laumape, Coles, Perenara, Aumua, Fidow, Smith (our best prop), Evans, B Proctor, Umaga Jensen, Cridge, Milner Skudder, Rayasi, Lowe, Kirifi, Marshall.
We just need to keep edging these tough games and hopefully some of those players above will boost our chances later in the season when they finally make an appearance or two.
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Beauden Barrett to captain Hurricanes against Stormers
Hurricanes centurion Beauden Barrett will take over the captaincy for Saturday's Investec Super Rugby match against the Stormers at Westpac Stadium. Barrett, who has made 116 appearances for the Hurricanes and scored more than 1150 points, will have younger brother Jordie immediately outside him after the latter was named to start in the No 12 jersey. Last year's top try-scorer Ben Lam returns on the left wing which sees Wes Goosen move to the right from last week's match against the Chiefs. There will be a first start for Richard Judd at halfback for what will be his fifth appearance for the Hurricanes since making his debut against the Crusaders last year. Threee changes have been made in the forward pack with Liam Mitchell returning at lock while Vaea Fifita moves back to the side of the scrum. The other changes up front are at hooker where Ricky Riccitelli returns to the starting side in place of Dane Coles, who is unavailable for the match along with TJ Perenara and Ngani Laumape, while Fraser Armstrong comes in for Toby Smith who has an ankle injury. There is a fresh look to the bench with Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree returning experienced prop Jeff To'omaga-Allen to the match day squad along with lock Isaia Walker-Leawere and utility back Fletcher Smith. 2018 Hurricanes squad member James O'Reilly has also been named on the bench with Asafo Aumua unavailable due to concussion. Exciting Hawke's Bay midfielder Danny Toala could make his Hurricanes debut if he comes off the bench. "As we have said all year we are looking to trust the depth of our squad and give players opportunities and Saturday's match against the Stormers will provide that," Plumtree said. "The Stormers have built a good record so far this season and we know exactly how tough and direct they will be and that means we are going to have to play really well to maintain our proud home record." -
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@cgrant who knows with the Canes. I thought the Brumbies were going to smack us in the mouth and that didn't eventuate. We seem to be a different beast at the Cake Tin so hopefully we can pull it out of the bag once again.
That Barrett combo will be crucial without Perenara's leadership at the base.
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Weak forward pack? meh, it's the canes we are talking about!! We don't need no front foot ball, or solid scrums, or the ability to shift bodies at the ruck...
fuck.
But in true canes style I think we'll do well - VERY interested in JB at 12. I think Chase's form at the back has really put the heat on JB, to the point he's likely to be on the wing when Laumape returns. Unless Chase has a shocker or there's further AB player rules to manage.
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@Paekakboyz the question is if Barrett goes out there and does play the best game of his life then you have a conundrum because Laumape is playing the house down.
You could move Laumape to the right wing or bring him on and use him in the last 30 mins, inturn shifting JB to the backfield.
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@Canes4life even if JB has a stormer (boom tish) he won't displace Laumape imo. Far to much pressure from AB's on Jordie playing in the outside backs, and Laumape is a lock unless injured.
Even from an opportunity cost approach you'd get far better pay off by retaining our midfield (Laumape and Proctor) and having JB on the wing or at FB than you would having Laumape on the bench or on the wing. I know we already have two short utility backs in Goosen and NMS, but Laumape would be wasted in that position. Even though he'd probably do a good job as he is running red hot.
I think a bit part of Laumape's impact is that he demands attention and energy for the full 80 minutes. Sure he'd still be a monster playing a shorter period, but we'd lose far more than we'd gain.
If JB really wants to play 2nd 5 he's going to have to shift teams I reckon. Blues have plenty but I can think of 3 other franchises that'd be keen
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I think Laumape's game is severely restricted against good Tier One teams. He doesn't present the threat Ma'a did because his distribution skills need a lot of work.
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@antipodean said in Hurricanes v Stormers:
I think Laumape's game is severely restricted against good Tier One teams. He doesn't present the threat Ma'a did because his distribution skills need a lot of work.
agreed. He's a useful tool though. And at 25, he's got time to work on them, given the personal drive and right coaching.
Ma'a Nonu's development was extraordinary though, not many players, especially ones with his physical gifts, develop their all-round games to that extent.
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@mariner4life said in Hurricanes v Stormers:
@antipodean said in Hurricanes v Stormers:
I think Laumape's game is severely restricted against good Tier One teams. He doesn't present the threat Ma'a did because his distribution skills need a lot of work.
agreed. He's a useful tool though. And at 25, he's got time to work on them, given the personal drive and right coaching.
Ma'a Nonu's development was extraordinary though, not many players, especially ones with his physical gifts, develop their all-round games to that extent.
Many of his skills, and his temperament developed later. So there is hope
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@canefan said in Hurricanes v Stormers:
@mariner4life said in Hurricanes v Stormers:
@antipodean said in Hurricanes v Stormers:
I think Laumape's game is severely restricted against good Tier One teams. He doesn't present the threat Ma'a did because his distribution skills need a lot of work.
agreed. He's a useful tool though. And at 25, he's got time to work on them, given the personal drive and right coaching.
Ma'a Nonu's development was extraordinary though, not many players, especially ones with his physical gifts, develop their all-round games to that extent.
Many of his skills, and his temperament developed later. So there is hope
yea, we know. But my point is, his level of development was unusual rather than the norm. For Ngani to reach those levels we are looking at lightening striking twice.
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@antipodean given Ma'a is the best 2nd 5 we've had I dont expect to many to measure up, particularly early in their career. It's about how he goes against current completion imo. But I hope that's the sort of development we see in his game.
Said knowing that Ma'a is actually one his possible competitors 😁
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@mariner4life said in Hurricanes v Stormers:
@canefan said in Hurricanes v Stormers:
@mariner4life said in Hurricanes v Stormers:
@antipodean said in Hurricanes v Stormers:
I think Laumape's game is severely restricted against good Tier One teams. He doesn't present the threat Ma'a did because his distribution skills need a lot of work.
agreed. He's a useful tool though. And at 25, he's got time to work on them, given the personal drive and right coaching.
Ma'a Nonu's development was extraordinary though, not many players, especially ones with his physical gifts, develop their all-round games to that extent.
Many of his skills, and his temperament developed later. So there is hope
yea, we know. But my point is, his level of development was unusual rather than the norm. For Ngani to reach those levels we are looking at lightening striking twice.
He could just as easily end up staying as a Slammin' Sammy type player. But I reckon he's shown some nuance to his game even this year compared to last
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@canefan
I can still remember him being asked last year about his kicking by an interviewer... he got very salty about the person not seeing his development in that space... and in that very game!!I actually think he has fewer downsides to his game if you were comparing him to early days Nonu. But Nonu was also being played at 13 and that is a merciless position when you are learning your trade. Maybe because he's shorter but Laumape doesn't have the same riskiness around his D, whereas young Ma'a rode the line... a lot!
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@Paekakboyz Stats wise in Super Rugby, Laumape is killing it compared to Nonu at the same stage of this career - however we all know Nonu proved his worth at International level rather than Super.
The below strike rate is also very impressive.
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@Canes4life that's a mental stat aye! Esp for an inside back. Loooove it!
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@Canes4life Even more than Cully??!! Say it ain't so!!!
