Hurricanes 2021
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@chris-b Did they also mention whether he's going to be forced on Hawke's Bay for NPC, just like his brother?
Edit: Who is he replacing at the Canes? The only THs are Tyrel Lomax (signed 'til 2023) and Alex Fidow (2022), while Pouri Rakete-Stones (2021) can play at both sides. I've only seen Fraser Armstrong (2021) and Alex Numia (2021) at LH. Don't know about Tevita Mafileo (2022); maybe he can play at both, although usually at LH?
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Rugby: Ex-All Blacks prop Owen Franks poised for shock Super Rugby comeback | Newshub
Newshub can reveal prop Owen Franks is on his way to the capital.
1 year deal.
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@stargazer I don’t think it’s a bad deal be a good mentor to the likes of Lomax and Fidow but as discussed who loses there contract for next year.
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@mikey07 No, not bad from a mentoring perspective. Tbh, I hope it's Armstrong who's going, but considering the limited game time Rakete-Stones has had, I'm afraid he'll be the one looking for greener pastures, and I really hope those pastures aren't overseas!
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@stargazer said in Hurricanes 2021:
@chris-b Did they also mention whether he's going to be forced on Hawke's Bay for NPC, just like his brother?
Yes. Yes they did.
Apparently, he's also signed a clause that guarantees he won't try at all against his province of birth!
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@stargazer said in Hurricanes 2021:
@mikey07 No, not bad from a mentoring perspective. Tbh, I hope it's Armstrong who's going, but considering the limited game time Rakete-Stones has had, I'm afraid he'll be the one looking for greener pastures, and I really hope those pastures aren't overseas!
I also hope so Rakete-Stones looks a lot better Armstrong has been such a disappointment.
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@stargazer said in Hurricanes 2021:
@mikey07 In this case, clearly not rating the young players coming through the system, or elsewhere in the country.
You must be livid about Matera....no...wait...
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@bones I'm sorry mr Troll, but I wasn't criticising the signing. Just stating that they don't rate the young props in the country (enough) if they sign an older (returning) player. I think it's a good opportunity for their current young players to learn from him. He has only signed for one year. By the way, this is more similar to the Bryn Evans' signing by the Highlanders.
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@stargazer
Apology accepted. How very dare you, Evans was signed to cover for our 3 AB locks when they get rotated as they're needed for the ABs, not at all like TH at the canes. -
I don't think the Hurricanes' front row is half as bad as people have been saying. But with Fidow having relatively few caps for his age due to injury, Numia being 22 years and Lomax 25 years old the props are pretty green (in prop years).
Armstrong has the experience at 29, but also breaks regularly, and has been only OK in the last 2 seasons when he played.
Their depth has been lacking with Mafileo going downhill since his first year and Rakete-Stones is only 23 years old (he also gave away the penalty against the Chiefs that allowed Clutch to kick the winner).
Signing Franks may be a masterstroke. Fidow just can't play every game at his age and Franks is a great player (All Blacks great) he can learn from. In the mean time, the other youngsters coming through can learn as well, before they're thrown into the deep end.
Hell, even a union in the Canes catchment area were forced to sign a 38 year old foreign international in Sona Ttaumalolo for 2020's Mitre10 cup due to a lack propping depth.
So well done Canes management and fu*k the haters.
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Finally the Canes have a quality prop since Goodes and B Franks.
We lose Laumape but gain TJ + Owen + Bird, I’ll take that any day of the week.
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@toddy I don't know who the haters are (I haven't seen anyone criticising the signing here), but I agree. Taumalolo hardly got game time, but I'm sure his contribution off the field (mentoring) has been invaluable. It won't be different with Owen Franks.
My only concern is which prop might be left out of the squad for next season.
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I’m picking the make up of the Canes will be similar to the below next year:
Starters: Numia & Lomax
Bench: Mafileo & Franks
Others: Fidow, Rakete-StonesAxed: Armstrong - he should have shown more by now considering he’s 29. I’d rather further develop the likes of Rakete-Stones and Fidow in terms of scrummaging, with Franks acting as a mentor for every Canes prop in the squad.
