Crusaders 2022

[Chris B.]

@steven-harris Josh Lord!

We can afford to play a waiting game with whomever we pick, because he won't get many minutes.

The eventual big need is going to be a replacement for Sam Whitelock's height - so I'd like to see us pick someone 2.00+ metres.

I don't think any of the Mako boys are that big and seems Gallagher isn't either.

But, if there's no-one who fits the bill right now, then maybe Gallagher or Shalfoon and keep the tall kids in the WTG/academies for another year.

[Bovidae]

@stargazer said in Crusaders 2022:

@bovidae That's what I was thinking; they have taller players in their academy, but he's been on the fringes.

Who else do they have? Gallagher is tall enough (1.98 m IIRC) but has some meat on the bones for a young player. Hannah, as a comparison, is a beanpole.

[Stargazer]

@bovidae In Crusaders Academy (I've only looked at height, because they don't mention positions):

Zach Gallagher 1.95m
Tom Thornalley 1.95m
Jamie Hannah 1.96m
Fiti Sa 1.98m
Mahonri Ngakuru 1.99m

Of course, there's always Geoff Cridge 2.00m, who trained with them during preseason early this year and is having another great NPC season.

[Bovidae]

Having seen him play live a few times, I thought Gallagher was taller than that. You can always put some bulk on a young lock but eventually they stop growing upwards.

[Steven Harris]

@chris-b Crusaders would turn Lord into something special .

[Chris B.]

@steven-harris Whoever has him will pretty quickly add 10kgs to his frame.

It's good to see a 2.02 metre player coming through. Guys with that height, necessary athleticism and aggression and who aren't injury magnets aren't easy to find.

[Chris B.]

@bovidae https://www.allblacks.com/playerprofiles/zach-gallagher/

I got this first up when I googled him.

I'd imagine that is his under-19s weight!

[gt12]

@steven-harris said in Crusaders 2022:

@chris-b Crusaders would turn Lord into something special .

I wish I could tag Brodie Retallick and the Chiefs coaches in this reply.

I’m not saying you are wrong, just that they have that challenge.

We’ve done OK with Vaa’i though.

[Bovidae]

@chris-b You can see Gallagher in these highlights (#5). Holland is no.4.

[Chris B.]

@bovidae Both look decent sized units to me. No way Gallagher is 102kgs!

[bobily2]

@chris-b said in Crusaders 2022:

@bovidae Both look decent sized units to me. No way Gallagher is 102kgs!

Yup, that was his schoolboy weight. The ever reliable All Blacks app, which I think was updated for the recent NPC season, suggests he is 198cm and 115kg

[Stargazer]

@chris-b The Crusaders website has Gallagher at 111kg.

Canterbury website doesn't mention his weight but has his height at 1.98m.

[Chris]

Gallagher will get the spot he has been groomed for the Crusaders for a while.Aggresive hard nosed young player big wraps on him in the Academy.

He would be 198cm he is quite tall and has beefed up a fair bit.

[chchfanatic]

@chris I know who the 3rd choice first five is. Romano has gone to blues as well.

[Chris]

@chchfanatic said in Crusaders 2022:

@chris I know who the 3rd choice first five is. Romano has gone to blues as well.

I heard about Romano

[george33]

@chris Romano was great against Ta$man could b ok replacement for patty but nothing offical yet

[Stargazer]

So, with Makalio leaving, who'll be the third hooker? Surely not Shilo Klein?

Sam Moli?

Does anyone have an idea why Makalio is moving? He did get plenty of game time before his injury. Has he been overtaken by McAlister? Wasn't he offered a contract? Or just trying to become the top dog at the Landers (replacing Dixon)?

[bobily2]

Sam Moli isn't a bad shout - he has a bit of size, which I'm sure they'll like. If he isn't picked up elsewhere, would be nice if they brought in Kianu Kereru-Symes. To be honest, I'd prefer either to McAlister/Klein.

[george33]

@chchfanatic 3rd choice 10 behind Mo’unga who’s 2nd then

[Stargazer]

@george33 Burke is 2nd. Not great for Canterbury, but was one of the improved players for the Crusaders, this year. I hope for the Crusaders that the Canterbury coaches have not permanently ruined him.