Chiefs squad
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<p>According to the Kobelco Steelers' website, the Chiefs have signed their 30 year old prop Hiroshi Yamashita for the 2016 Super Rugby season. After that, he will return to Kobelco Steelers. He was part of Japan's RWC squad.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.kobelcosteelers.com/news/information/2016/02/post-205.html'>http://www.kobelcosteelers.com/news/information/2016/02/post-205.html</a></p> -
<p>so there were no NZ props to come into the Chiefs squad?</p>
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<p>Slippery slope?</p> -
<p>I guess if the view is he is to be a starting prop, then I can understand, but if he is more a squad prop, then I think it isn't that good for NZ Rugby and the next wave of players coming through.</p>
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<p>That is a very slippery slope if that is the case, which I don't believe it is given there are still restrictions on numbers of non-AB eligible players aren't there?</p>
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<p>I thought the franchises were still bound to the NZRU and as such the success, viability and development of NZ Rugby</p> -
<p>I don't have a problem with overseas players when our options are not up to scratch. I don't think being shunted backwards 5m in every scrum is necessarily helpful for a young prop. However, there are still a few players that I would have thought might be able to fill in, without being world beaters. </p>
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<p>I haven't heard that he has headed elsewhere, so I'd assume that Kane Hames is still avaliable? Also Pingi Tala'apitaga. There are probably a couple others who have played some SupeRugby before, too. With the exception of Hames, they might not be great props, but at least if they hang around, it should provide a higher level of competition in the ITM Cup, improving the level that our young players are performing in until they reach SupeRugby.</p> -
<p>The NZRU have the rights to turn down a signing if they want but why would they? It's one prop. If they were really going to be strict about it, they would've given the Blues a slapping a while ago because they've got more ineligible players than any of the other franchises.</p>
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<p>Oh and Hames is a loosehead, they needed another tighthead to replace Laulala. Rennie presumably already had a look at Pingi and everyone else going around the NPC when they were first picking the squad and didn't think they were what they were looking for.</p> -
<p>I'm just waiting for someone to chime in and say "well if Rennie rates him then that's ok" :)</p>
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<p>I've read that statement a few times on here.</p>
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<p>But seriously............ Was this bloke one of the regular starting props? Because the Japanese scrum wasn't as good when they brought on the subs.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="556454" data-time="1454616146">
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<p>No good ones</p>
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<p>Strong statement, Plenty of promising young props around the scene</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="556464" data-time="1454618364">
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<p>Rennie presumably already had a look at Pingi and everyone else going around the NPC when they were first picking the squad and didn't think they were what they were looking for.</p>
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<p>Yep, Rennie and co would have been very thorough in their search for a replacement prop. I know nothing about this Japanese prop, if he has in fact signed, but I'm sure they are wanting a potential starting TH prop, not a player that can be developed during the season. Ben T was the exception in that he was thrown into the deep end to start back in 2012. I don't think Moli is at that point in his career.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="556464" data-time="1454618364">
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<p>The NZRU have the rights to turn down a signing if they want but why would they? It's one prop. If they were really going to be strict about it, they would've given the Blues a slapping a while ago because they've got more ineligible players than any of the other franchises.</p>
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<p>Oh and Hames is a loosehead, they needed another tighthead to replace Laulala. Rennie presumably already had a look at Pingi and everyone else going around the NPC when they were first picking the squad and didn't think they were what they were looking for.</p>
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<p>Mitchell Graham, Atu Moli and Fisihoii can all play tighthead, so Hames can still be brought in as a loosehead.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bobily" data-cid="556469" data-time="1454618874">
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<p>Mitchell Graham, Atu Moli and Fisihoii can all play tighthead, so Hames can still be brought in as a loosehead.</p>
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<p>If Hames was available another team would have chosen him in their original squad. Something strange regarding his non-selection.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="556467" data-time="1454618810">
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<p>Yep, Rennie and co would have been very thorough in their search for a replacement prop. I know nothing about this Japanese prop, if he has in fact signed, but I'm sure they are wanting a potential starting TH prop, not a player that can be developed during the season. Ben T was the exception in that he was thrown into the deep end to start back in 2012. I don't think Moli is at that point in his career.</p>
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<p>Agreed, on all of that. However, as someone who quite likes the Chiefs, and who would quite like to see them win the competition this year, I would personally still rather them bring in a prop who can hold his own somewhat and is NZ eligible.</p>
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<p>Agreed that Moli isn't a starting tighthead just yet. I do think that there are still somewhat safe options around, that may not even need too much development. Props who may or may not have picked up contracts overseas, yet have played SupeRugby include Jarrod Firth, Kane Hames, Pingi Tala'apitga, Tolu Fahamokioa. Perhaps also Kainga and Sakalia.</p>
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<p>Obviously Rennie and co would have looked at these other options, and decided Yamashita was a better option, in terms of winning SupeRugby. Yet I would still personally see a prop who is actually hanging around for ITM Cup play. I guess you can't blame the Chiefs for wanting to bring him in, you just have to look at NZ Rugby, and whether they should have pushed for a NZ player to be included instead.</p>
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<p>I think someone mentioned that the Blues have more players who are not NZ-eligible. However, this is not true. Chiefs have Yamashita and Leitch. Blues have Jack Ram and Sa'u. And at least Ram is still playing ITM Cup here. And we have bugger all first fives outside of SupeRugby anyway.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="556473" data-time="1454619189">
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<p>If Hames was available another team would have chosen him in their original squad. Something strange regarding his non-selection.</p>
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<p>I would have thought so, but usually we would hear something about it. Until I hear that it was due to him being unavailable, I will assume that he was.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="556465" data-time="1454618658">
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<p>But seriously............ Was this bloke one of the regular starting props? Because the Japanese scrum wasn't as good when they brought on the subs.</p>
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<p>He was a substitute in the game against SA, and against Scotland and started against Fiji and Japan.</p> -
<p>More info. Yamashita hasn't signed yet.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/76600594/japan-prop-hiroshi-yamashita-jets-in-to-show-chiefs-his-wares'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/76600594/japan-prop-hiroshi-yamashita-jets-in-to-show-chiefs-his-wares</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bobily" data-cid="556475" data-time="1454619849">
<div>I think someone mentioned that the Blues have more players who are not NZ-eligible. However, this is not true. Chiefs have Yamashita and Leitch. Blues have Jack Ram and Sa'u. And at least Ram is still playing ITM Cup here. And we have bugger all first fives outside of SupeRugby anyway.</div>
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<p>Ram, Sa'u and Latimer. Former AB but signed to a Japanese club, so he's considered a foreign player by the NZRU.</p>
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<p>Anyway, so I guess they'll sign whoever they like best out of him and the local player once they get a look at him.</p>
