Super Rugby 2020
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@Stargazer said in Super Rugby 2020:
While I love players expressing themselves like this, I can't help wishing they'd now shave off all the dyed hair for Mitre 10 Cup and look relatively normal again.
Oh no pakeha "do's" I see. I love how it immediately follows DHunt's short back n sides though.
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The key recruitments that could help the Chiefs bounce back from their horror season
Despite a promising start, 2020 was a dud year for the Chiefs and new coach Warren Gatland. The team still has a great backbone from which they can build next year, providing that some astute recruitment is performed over the coming months.
One fast-rising NZ star who hasn’t officially renewed his Super Rugby contract for next season is the Crusaders’ Mitchell Dunshea. The 24-year-old has been an almost permanent fixture in the Aotearoa champions’ second row this year and has ties to the Chiefs, being born in Hamilton.
Next season, Dunshea would be in competition with Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock and fast-rising Quinten Strange for game time at the Crusaders while a spot in the Chiefs’ second row could be all but guaranteed, should Dunshea look north.
Alternatively, Mike Fitzgerald was a title-winner with the Chiefs during their 2012 and 2013 seasons and is now back in New Zealand, following stints with Leicester and Kamaishi. Fitzgerald is signed with the Manawatu Turbos for the coming Mitre 10 Cup season but an injury could prevent the 33-year-old from taking the field, which could curtail any chances of the former Chief picking up another Super Rugby contract.
Cruden’s return will have been a huge blessing for young Bay of Plenty pivot Kaleb Trask, who’s had ample opportunity to clock up some runs while also learning from one of the best in the business. Still, having just one first five on your books – and a 21-year-old at that – is a recipe for disaster.
Thankfully, there are a few men around New Zealand who are currently without 2021 contracts.
The Highlanders’ Bryn Gatland is a Hamilton man through and through and could (eventually) link up with his father at the Chiefs. His time with the southerners has been blighted by injury and he’s had few opportunities to impress this season thanks to the prescens of Mitch Hunt and Josh Ioane.
Heading north, Crusader and one-cap All Black Brett Cameron is at the end of his contract and could be interested in heading a bit closer to his home on Wanganui while Fletcher Smith is signed with the Hurricanes just for 2020. Smith’s rival for the Hurricanes’ 10 jersey, Jackson Garden-Bachop, has just extended his contract with the Hurricanes and had ample game time this year while Smith struggled to even make the bench. He currently plays his provincial rugby for Waikato.
Harry Plummer at the Blues is another relatively experienced option who hasn’t signed on for 2021 but with Beauden Barrett heading to Japan for the season, Leon MacDonald will likely try hold onto Plummer.
There are also plenty of talent first fives who will be showing off their wares in the Mitre 10 Cup. Baden Kerr and Lincoln McClutchie have returned from Japan to line up for Counties Manukau and Hawke’s Bay, respectively. They’re at the opposite end of their careers but are both talented footballers in their own rights.
Closer to home, Waikato’s Rivez Reihana spent two seasons with the New Zealand secondary schools side and with another season of provincial rugby under his belt, could be ready for a debut season with the Chiefs.
Outside lock and first five, the Chiefs are well stocked with talent across the park and certainly have the talent to return to glory next season. It’s worth noting, however, that the Chiefs’ three All Blacks props, Atu Moli, Angus Ta’avao and Nepo Laulala, are all off contract at this stage. They all had somewhat limited roles for the team this season (due to injury, naturally) but will be massive figures for the franchise going forward if they re-sign.
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@Bovidae said in Super Rugby 2020:
I've said all along that I expect Reihana to be promoted to the Chiefs squad, and I would be happy enough to have Smith as a more experienced 1st 5 option if he doesn't re-sign with the Canes.
No way would I want Cameron.
Yeah, smith deserves a good run of starts
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agreed...MMT's highlights were making a tackle and then getting tackled twice...they couldn't find any of his many clean breaks/defenders beaten etc?
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some more good stats, great to see the crowd figures
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@Kiwiwomble that 10.5 million 'Engagements' fails to take into account the Fern.
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@Bovidae said in Super Rugby 2020:
The Chiefs ended up having the second-best lineout at 88.5%. You wouldn't have thought so after the early wobbles.
i dont know how we had such a good one with coltman still struggling...shows how good Dixon was
