Hurricanes 2020
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@mikey07 In the Magpies 2020 thread you can read the info from the HBRU about the signing. I think the "add size" argument may be spot on. Although I normally have reservations about bringing in players from outside the province, if that's what the coaches were looking for and they couldn't find a good, big wing in the Bay (that may have to do with our demographic), he may be a good addition.
You always have to wait and see how well a player plays after returning from overseas, but if he goes well, who knows, he might be a candidate to replace Ben Lam at the Canes?
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@Stargazer we already have a ready made replacement for Lam - Salesi Rayasi.
Went to the game before and Walker-Leawere was helping out with the warmups, so not sure what the play is with him.
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@Canes4life That depends entirely on whether Rayasi still wants to go to the Olympics, or not.
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@Stargazer this is true. I wonder if Van Wyk will stay on aswell.
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Lots and lots and lots of empty seat at the Caketin. Not a good look at all for overseas TV and doesn't help generate a buzz about NZ Rugby.
The Hurricanes management needs to develop a system to distribute any unsold tickets to workers from Wellington Hospital and their families, then to School & Club Rugby players.
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@sparky said in Hurricanes 2020:
Lots and lots and lots of empty seat at the Caketin. Not a good look at all for overseas TV and doesn't help generate a buzz about NZ Rugby.
The Hurricanes management needs to develop a system to distribute any unsold tickets to workers from Wellington Hospital and their families, then to School & Club Rugby players.
Or do what the ARFU did for the Canes game, sold lots of 20 dollar seats to fill the ground
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@sparky free tickets to schools, kid gets in free with a paying adult.
Kids then bugging mum and dad cos they have a free ticket in thier pocket (IMO works better than just saying kids go free)
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@taniwharugby If that works, then brilliant. Empty seats at the moment are an enormous slap in the face to sports fans around the globe who'd love to watch live sport from the stands but can't because of COVID restrictions.
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2020:
@Stargazer we already have a ready made replacement for Lam - Salesi Rayasi.
Went to the game before and Walker-Leawere was helping out with the warmups, so not sure what the play is with him.
I am sure I saw him in a track suit talking with the payers, must be injured?
I'd start him in a heartbeat if he was available. -
@Stargazer said in Hurricanes 2020:
@Darren Rayasi isn't injured. He's playing club rugby.
Sorry, hit the wrong quote, I meant IWL
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@Darren the only thing I can think of with IWL is that it’s a fitness thing. He was doing alot of running during the pre match / post game on Sunday so I wonder if they are trying to get him into shape before letting him loose again.
You can see him in the background of Ardies post looking like he’s out of puff.
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@Canes4life he might just have one of those bodies, but he doesn't look as 'fit' as others in his position. It was really noticeable against the South Africans pre covid.
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Wow, drawing conclusions from appearance only. I can think of many reasons why players don't get game time. Little niggles aren't always visible; they also don't have to stop a player from running. There may be reasons outside rugby (family, for ex) that affect either training or the mental side of things. And dare I say it? Personal preferences from coaches that have nothing to do with a player's fitness or skills? The Hurricanes coaches aren't know for their great selection choices.
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@Stargazer well if he's not injured and not getting selected, there must be a reason. I just felt that it was strange that he was the only extra player kitted up but not involved in the match day 23. I don't know why you're getting all defensive, I've actually been a huge advocate for him starting over the likes of Blackwell etc. I'm saying his fitness may be one of the reasons, but I might be wrong. Maybe he will be involved this week, who knows.
I've mentioned this in another thread but I know Chris Gibbes has really high fitness standards. He brought Fidow to tears when he turned up to the Lions pre-season weighing 136kg, Fidow is now 116kg aparently and looking alot more devastating. Maybe IWL is going through the same process. If it means the Hurricanes are putting in place higher standards then I'm all for it. But again there might be more to it.
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@Stargazer not drawing conclusions, just commenting on something I have noticed.
