Crusaders 2020
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@Chris-B The list on Wikipedia is correct.
Harry Allan: the duration of his contract was never published, so it's unclear whether he is still under contract, or not. No news about him re-signing.
Tim Perry: His contract is expiring this year. I haven't seen an official announcement of him re-signing.
Luke Romano: in an interview a few months ago he said that he was close to re-signing, but nothing has been announced. I assume he'll be back, but it still needs to be confirmed.
Tom Sanders: same as Tim Perry. Due to no fault of his own, he's been a bad investment for the Crusaders. He's played 4 games (143 minutes) in 2018 and 4 games (137 minutes) in 2019. Is he worth re-signing? I have my doubts.
Brett Cameron: same as Tim Perry.
Manasa Mataele: same as Tim Perry.
Of your list of Ta$man players, I do rate Sione Havili. Tima Fainga'anuku probably won't get signed, because the Crusaders are already stacked in the outside backs. Signing a second-five makes more sense. Nankivell would have been a good one, but he still has one year to go with the Chiefs. O'Malley is good enough for Ta$man, but not sure he's the answer for the vacant 10 spot at the Crusaders. Neither is Cameron, of course. I think this is the Crusaders' worst problem; no adequate back-up for Mo'unga, unless they can convert David Havili into a 10.
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@Chris-B said in Crusaders 2020:
So, according to Wikipedia transfers we need to replace all of:
Owen Franks
Ben Funnell
Sam Whitelock (temporarily)
Jordan Taufua
Matt Todd
Kieran Read
Mitch Hunt
Ryan Crotty
Ngane Punivai
Israel Daggplus I read an interview with Tim Bateman that specifically said he was finished with the Crusaders.
Also, apparently not yet re-signed (Stargazer might know better than Wiki about these guys):
Harry Allan
Tim Perry
Luke Romano
Tom Sanders
Brett Cameron
Manasa MataeleWorth looking at as replacements from Ta$man (IMO) - and available as far as I know:
Sam Moli (hooker - despite yesterday's lineout throwing)
Isaac Salmon (tighthead prop)
Sione Havili (openside flanker) (actually Jake Norris has looked OK as well, but Sione clearly ahead)
Fetuli Paea (centre - maybe, given the potential dearth of other options); Rupena Parkinson another option - presently injured
Tima Faingaanuku (wing - ahead of Jamie Spowart)
Tim O'Malley could play first five, but I hope they've got a different plan.Matale And Romano have resigned not announced as yet
I think George Bower as well
Crusaders are keen on A Fijian under 20 flanker
Not sure how far that has advanced -
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@Stargazer said in Crusaders 2020:
@Chris said in Crusaders 2020:
Crusaders are keen on A Fijian under 20 flanker
Not sure how far that has advancedPreferred position? 6, 7 or 8?
Do you know his name?Not sure on name openside I heard but the Fijian LFS are big enough to play 6 or 7
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@Stargazer Thanks for the updates/confirmations.
I sort of agree about the outside backs, but on the other hand both Punavai and Israel Dagg are gone from last year, so it makes sense they would sign at least one new outside back- as well as Mataele.
Agree completely about first five. I'm hoping/expecting that Razor has a cunning plan at first five that entails someone from offshore. I can't see anyone much in NZ.
@Chris - good news about Romano especially. And Bower - I'm not convinced by Ollie Jager. I'd imagine they'll want to keep at least one of Perry or Allan.
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@Stargazer Ratu Meli was the name I heard
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@Chris said in Crusaders 2020:
@Stargazer Ratu Meli was the name I heard
There were two Ratu Meli's in Fiji's u20 side to the 2018 World Rugby Trophy: Ratu Meli Naureau Naevo DERENALAGI and Ratu Meli TURAGACA.
They both played at lock and in the 6 jersey.
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You can see Ratu Meli Naureau Naevo DERENALAGI in the 6 jersey, scoring a try in the corner in the game against Samoa (WR U20 Trophy 2018).
And in this clip, the same player scoring a try in the 4 jersey (same tournament, against Uruguay).
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If Derenalagi is the player they're looking at, it's most likely as a lock/blindside flanker.
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@Chris Yep, but not as an openside. So probably as a back-up for the replacement of Taufua (probably Blackadder), with the handy addition of the ability to play at lock.
Must add, that finding a replacement for Todd seems more urgent. Harmon has been good at 7, but there's no one else that seems ready (I have my doubts about Christie).
If they sign a Fijian U20 player, he'll probably be a development project anyway (not yet ready to go at SR level). So to create depth.
List of 2019–20 Super Rugby transfers - Wikipedia
