Super Rugby 2020
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@nzzp said in Super Rugby 2020:
@Bovidae said in Super Rugby 2020:
@nzzp Even though Niko played no.8 at schoolboy level I don't think he has the size to play there at senior level. I think he'll follow his old man and move to openside.
and then on to 6 as he gets older
no toeing the ball ahead against Argentina
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So now Julian Savea is looking for a return to either the Hurricanes, another NZ franchise or at the very least the Warriors apparently.
I hope the Canes don’t go there, he is 4 years past his best and we don’t really need wingers with Salesi Rayasi coming back into the mix.
Maybe his best chance is to play for Wellington in the NPC or at the Highlanders where the 2015 WC winning back three can re-connect.
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@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2020:
at the very least the Warriors
The Warriors certainly are the very least.
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@Bovidae said in Super Rugby 2020:
@mofitzy_ said in Super Rugby 2020:
@nzzp
Has he missed his shot at U20s?If he or any player turns 20 this year they are out of luck. IIRC the cut-off date is Jan in the year of the tournament.
Not sure there will bea n U20 this year anyway
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@Canes4life Jesus I hope Gats doesn't sign him either. Send all the old Hurricanes backs down south.
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@nzzp said in Super Rugby 2020:
@Bovidae said in Super Rugby 2020:
@nzzp Even though Niko played no.8 at schoolboy level I don't think he has the size to play there at senior level. I think he'll follow his old man and move to openside.
and then on to 6 as he gets older
As long as he plays on bloody Sundays!
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Brodie Retallick, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith, Ryan Crotty among others are back in the country, too, but not expected to suit up. And while not seeking a New Zealand contract until next season, Julian Savea has announced intentions to return from France.
Why can't all players returning from lucrative excursions to the safe havens of home be swiftly ushered into the five franchises to immediately enhance the quality of the derby competition?
As usual money, or in this case insurance, is the bottom line. The Herald understands insurance costs are in the tens of thousands for each player contracted abroad. These agreements can take months to negotiate, even for a 10-week competition.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12331854
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@Tim IMO there's an upside to those players (except Retallick, who was away on a sabattical, like Whitelock) not playing SR Aotearoa. They are at the end of their career, but they would possibly push new, young players out of the matchday 23. While it would be fun to watch them play again and at least some of them would raise the game of their franchise, their presence might stall the development of the players that we have to rely on in the next few years. These players have had their time, have said their goodbyes; now it's the turn of a new generation.
(can't read the article, because it's "premium")
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@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2020:
So now Julian Savea is looking for a return to either the Hurricanes, another NZ franchise or at the very least the Warriors apparently.
I hope the Canes don’t go there, he is 4 years past his best and we don’t really need wingers with Salesi Rayasi coming back into the mix.
Maybe his best chance is to play for Wellington in the NPC or at the Highlanders where the 2015 WC winning back three can re-connect.
6 years past it, in fact. He was close to the ABs best player in 2013 and 2014, but has been below par since then (one barn-storming performance against France aside).
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@Stargazer said in Super Rugby 2020:
@Tim IMO there's an upside to those players (except Retallick, who was away on a sabattical, like Whitelock) not playing SR Aotearoa. They are at the end of their career, but they would possibly push new, young players out of the matchday 23. While it would be fun to watch them play again and at least some of them would raise the game of their franchise, their presence might stall the development of the players that we have to rely on in the next few years. These players have had their time, have said their goodbyes; now it's the turn of a new generation.
(can't read the article, because it's "premium")
There is an upside but if you are good enough you will get your chance. I would rather have five strong Super Rugby teams and strong Mitre 10 Cup teams. One of the reasons teams are picking players out of school is teams are losing senior players so want to get their hands on young talent.
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@Stargazer said in Super Rugby 2020:
@Tim IMO there's an upside to those players (except Retallick, who was away on a sabattical, like Whitelock) not playing SR Aotearoa. They are at the end of their career, but they would possibly push new, young players out of the matchday 23. While it would be fun to watch them play again and at least some of them would raise the game of their franchise, their presence might stall the development of the players that we have to rely on in the next few years. These players have had their time, have said their goodbyes; now it's the turn of a new generation.
(can't read the article, because it's "premium")
I'd normally be onboard with this view, but I think in the current climate the franchises should take advantage of the greater interest that having these guys playing is likely to garner. NZ rugby and the franchises need as many eye balls as possible watching this tournament and these guys are likely to help with that.
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I'm all for as many of these guys playing as possible. They enhance depth and competition and raise the standard among the squads. Good young guys won't be blocked because if they're good enough they'll get a crack. If they're not good enough to supplant an aging veteran then so be it, as they'd have lowered the standard if playing by default.
Squad depth has been eroded, and eroded, and eroded over the years. Some years it's been a negligible drop but others it's been substantial, and very noticeable. Get them back in. This can ONLY help.
