Hurricanes 2020
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@Crucial said in Hurricanes 2020:
@canefan said in Hurricanes 2020:
@sparky said in Hurricanes 2020:
@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2020:
I’ve heard from a close source that the Canes have their eye on Sopoaga for next season. If true, I’m not too sure what to make of it.
He has been really, really bad for Wasps. Doesn't even seem to be selected on their bench now.
Sops'll need to sort his attitude and performance out to be Super Rugby standard again.
Maybe he's one of those guys who performs better in his home environment
He really struggled to adjust to the style of that competition, much like Cruden struggled in France. He lost all confidence accordingly.
I reckon Sops could come back and find form.They'll have to stop him visiting the pie shop too
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@Stargazer said in Hurricanes 2020:
If the rumour is true - we'll probably have to wait a long time to find out - I hope it doesn't block the pathway of a certain young, talented first five-eighth, who should have got a contract for this season, but didn't get one.
That pathway appears blocked without him, so I'd rather see Sop come back, I think he'll get back up to speed with NZ rugby in no time.
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@Nepia Sops was already on the decline in his last year at the Highlanders. I don't think his current lack of game time is entirely due to not adjusting to the style of the Premiership competition. I think a considerable part of his problem is also a mental issue (motivation, laziness, who knows?) or inability to stay in good shape.
Agree that McC's pathway is blocked now, too. My comment was exactly related to that: if they sign Sops (and that's still a big "if"), they should let JGB or F Smith go (at the moment, it looks like it should be the latter).
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@Stargazer said in Hurricanes 2020:
@Nepia Sops was already on the decline in his last year at the Highlanders. I don't think his current lack of game time is entirely due to not adjusting to the style of the Premiership competition. I think a considerable part of his problem is also a mental issue (motivation, laziness, who knows?) or inability to stay in good shape.
Agree that McC's pathway is blocked now, too. My comment was exactly related to that: if they sign Sops (and that's still a big "if"), they should let JGB or F Smith go (at the moment, it looks like it should be the latter).
Don't disagree with that.
I think returning to his hometown to prove himself will help him overcome his mental issues.
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@Crucial said in Hurricanes 2020:
IIRC Sops had previously openly said how he was very reliant on his support network of church and friends when in Dunedin. It was a surprise after those comments that he left that network to go to a very foreign environment.
Amazing what $$$ will do.
I’d love to see him back in NZ and hopefully the Canes.
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@Nepia said in Hurricanes 2020:
@Stargazer said in Hurricanes 2020:
@Nepia Sops was already on the decline in his last year at the Highlanders. I don't think his current lack of game time is entirely due to not adjusting to the style of the Premiership competition. I think a considerable part of his problem is also a mental issue (motivation, laziness, who knows?) or inability to stay in good shape.
Agree that McC's pathway is blocked now, too. My comment was exactly related to that: if they sign Sops (and that's still a big "if"), they should let JGB or F Smith go (at the moment, it looks like it should be the latter).
Don't disagree with that.
I think returning to his hometown to prove himself will help him overcome his mental issues.
Some home cooking will cure his homesickness. You don't lose class
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@Stargazer big shift from the young lad.
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@Canes4life great display of strength and pace..this is has got X factor ..!
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Good win (57-17). But it looked a good side. I wonder how Marshall went at first. Although JGB is doing well enough but the team needs a back up. And Fletcher Smith just looks out of his depth. Although he was fine at FB last year but seems to need more time to decide what to do that he doesn't get at first
Id like to see Toala get at start at 2nd maybe against the Sunwolves. Its likely to be his best position so give him a run to see how he goes. I also hope they rotate players more than they have in the past. So if Toala goes well at second give him a run ever so often to rest Laumape. And maybe give Umaga-Jensen a start and rest one of the back three.
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@Winger I would say Marshall will come into the reserves as 10/15 cover going forward. I think JGB has claimed top spot with two solid performances so he should start against the Sunwolves.
I do agree that we should be giving the likes of PUJ/Toala/Tiatia an opportunity to stretch their legs as they all performed admirably last year and should be rewarded for that / to boost their morale within the squad. On the other hand there is a need to build some momentum going into a stretch of games against Kiwi sides, so I guess the coach has some thinking to do.
It wouldn't hurt to see Flanders, Toala etc run out on their home track. I'm sure @Stargazer would be pleased if they do.
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2020:
@Winger I would say Marshall will come into the reserves as 10/15 cover going forward. I think JGB has claimed top spot with two solid performances so he should start against the Sunwolves.
I do agree that we should be giving the likes of PUJ/Toala/Tiatia an opportunity to stretch their legs as they all performed admirably last year and should be rewarded for that / to boost their morale within the squad. On the other hand there is a need to build some momentum going into a stretch of games against Kiwi sides, so I guess the coach has some thinking to do.
It wouldn't hurt to see Flanders, Toala etc run out on their home track. I'm sure @Stargazer would be pleased if they do.
Home ground? Oh dear the last two times the Hurricanes have played in Napier they have played in their away jerseys so clearly they do not regard it as a "home" ground. Think that pretty much sums up their attitude and regard to the people of Hawkes Bay in particular.
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@Higgins I was more referring to the fact that Flanders and Toala could have the opportunity to run out on their home track considering they are from Hawkes Bay.
I'm not sure where you are going with your comments. I'm sure the Hurricanes care deeply about the people of Hawke's Bay, they probably have a contract agreement with Adidas that requires the Canes to play in their away jerseys for a certain percentage of games.
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@KiwiMurph If having more black in them means being closer to Hawke's Bay colours, then you're right, but I can't recall recent Canes jerseys having any white in them.
This is the away jersey they were wearing the last time in Napier. Although I didn't like the fact they were wearing away jerseys, I rated this jersey higher than the ugly home jersey.
