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That is a shame for Brendon.
 
Story mentions miss rest of Super Rugby season. Hopefully he can still appear for Hawke's Bay in Mitre 10 Cup.

Canes4life

Andre Taylor on his way back to NZ next year. Currently uncontracted, however I saw him at the Hurricanes pre season match against the Blues and he was having a few chats with some of the Canes boys. Would be a great addition to the Canes next season with James Marshall leaving. Ironically he was unwanted by Hammetuer and that was why he left in the first place.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="569933" data-time="1459831469">
<div>
Andre Taylor on his way back to NZ next year. Currently uncontracted, however I saw him at the Hurricanes pre season match against the Blues and he was having a few chats with some of the Canes boys. Would be a great addition to the Canes next season with James Marshall leaving. Ironically he was unwanted by Hammetuer and that was why he left in the first place.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
I hope the Canes sign him next year. I've always thought he was underrated and he has quite a good boot, too.

Stargazer

Pocock suspended for three weeks, but will miss two Super Rugby games because the Brumbies have the bye this weekend.

Cantab79

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="569954" data-time="1459848948">
<div>
Pocock suspended for three weeks, but will miss two Super Rugby games because the Brumbies have the bye this weekend.
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If I'm not mistaken that will mean he misses the game against the Crusaders, which is good luck for the Cantabs.

taniwharugby

I hate how they use a bye week in the suspension

Paekakboyz

yeah, it's bullshit. But if it were for games rather than weeks wouldn't they just name Pocock as playing for some feeder club to 'keep his fitness up'

taniwharugby

yeah we've had that discussion before where the suspension for weeks should be at the level you are playing and above, otherwise you get a farcical situation where say Owen Franks could say he was due to play for Linwood on his week off so as to include that in the ban, whereas most front line AB's barely play NPC, let alone club footy!

Frye

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Paekakboyz" data-cid="569996" data-time="1459893383">
<div>
yeah, it's bullshit. But if it were for games rather than weeks wouldn't they just name Pocock as playing for some feeder club to 'keep his fitness up'
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</blockquote>
 
It is games. And he is being named for his club team.
 
Yep it should be "at the same level or above". While the comp is still active.... (Would be unfair to have to wait a whole year if you got banned at the end of the comp and weren't selected for a test side).

Crucial

He has actually been given a time rather than games so club matches don't matter. He has been given 3 weeks which equates to 2 playing weeks. 
Really if you are going down the path of games that are fair there should be a stipulation that a game against the team you infringed against

Frye

<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/rugby/loophole-means-reds-prop-sef-faagase-wont-miss-a-match-for-using-knee-in-waratahs-clash/news-story/1d5aad6d7db9ba73b8531991f86fbedb'>http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/rugby/loophole-means-reds-prop-sef-faagase-wont-miss-a-match-for-using-knee-in-waratahs-clash/news-story/1d5aad6d7db9ba73b8531991f86fbedb</a>
 
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<div>Loophole means Reds prop Sef Faâ€™agase wonâ€™t miss a match for using knee in Waratahs clash</div>
<div> </div>
 
With the Reds on a bye, Faâ€™agase will miss only Universityâ€™s club match against Bond University on the Gold Coast on Saturday and be available to play the Highlanders on April 9.
</blockquote>
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/loophole-allows-waratahs-hooker-tolu-latu-to-serve-punching-suspension-in-bye-week/news-story/2185b81235abdd9ecbc476dba1de363e'>http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/loophole-allows-waratahs-hooker-tolu-latu-to-serve-punching-suspension-in-bye-week/news-story/2185b81235abdd9ecbc476dba1de363e</a>
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
Loophole allows Waratahs hooker Tolu Latu to serve punching suspension in bye week
 
THE Waratahsâ€™ hooking crisis has been alleviated thanks to a comical loophole in SANZAARâ€™s judicial process, which will allow Tolu Latu to serve his one-week suspension for punching Matt Toomua during their bye this weekend.
 
</blockquote>
<div> 
</div>
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/brumbies/act-brumbies-star-david-pocock-to-face-judiciary-for-neck-grab-on-chiefs-no8-michael-lietch-20160402-gnwypc.html#ixzz450aYpte4'>http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/brumbies/act-brumbies-star-david-pocock-to-face-judiciary-for-neck-grab-on-chiefs-no8-michael-lietch-20160402-gnwypc.html#ixzz450aYpte4</a> 
<div> </div>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
The NSW Waratahs successfully argued hooker Tolu Latu would serve his punishment in Sydney club rugby last month after he was found guilty of punching Brumbies playmaker Matt Toomua. Pocock could take a similar approach and serve the ban in Canberra's club competition given he's aligned to the Uni-Norths Owls. The Owls begin their John I Dent Cup season against Wests on Saturday.
 
</blockquote>

Frye

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="570050" data-time="1459906883">
<div>
He has actually been given a time rather than games so club matches don't matter. He has been given 3 weeks which equates to 2 playing weeks. 
Really if you are going down the path of games that are fair there should be a stipulation that a game against the team you infringed against
</div>
</blockquote>
 
So sometimes it's weeks and sometimes it's games? Or is it just that the press has reported it wrong?

Stargazer

This is the exact wording from the SANZAAR Judicial Officer: 

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
"With respect to sanction I deemed the act of foul play merited a low-end entry point of two weeks. I then added one week for aggravation due to the need to deter this type of dangerous foul play. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the playerâ€™s early plea, his good character, his genuine remorse and his excellent disciplinary record I reduced the suspension to a period of two games.â€ 
 
"The player accepted my indication of sanction and is therefore suspended from all forms of rugby up to and including Sunday, 24 April 2016. The player is free to resume playing on 25 April 2016.â€
</blockquote>
 
So a starting point of two weeks, increased to three weeks, and then again reduced to 'a period of two games'. It's good that he added the 'up to and including Sunday, 24 April 2016', because this wording couldn't be more confusing. Just 'two weeks' could have included the bye week and 'two games' could have included a local club game. With the end date added, it's clear that he'll miss the games against the Waratahs and Crusaders.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/news/pocock-banned-for-three-weeks/'>http://www.sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/news/pocock-banned-for-three-weeks/</a>

Unco

Not an injury or even news but I saw this article on stuff yesterday, blaming the Crusaders lack of a home semi in 2013 on the pitch invaders:
 
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">At the time the Crusaders were unaware how much the loss would hurt their chances of hosting a playoff match in Christchurch.
 
Had they left Perth with four competition points they would have finished second overall on the competition log, overtaking the Brumbies on points differential, and hosted a semi. Instead they qualified fourth, travelled to Hamilton to play the Chiefs, and got beaten 20-19. The following weekend the Chiefs beat the Brumbies, who had rolled the Bulls in their semi in Pretoria, at Waikato Stadium.
</blockquote>
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/78585535/crusaders-return-to-the-super-rugby-scene-of-the-streaker-banana-man-and-loss-to-force'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/78585535/crusaders-return-to-the-super-rugby-scene-of-the-streaker-banana-man-and-loss-to-force</a>
 
Never mind the part where that was impossible because of the way the conference system worked from 2011 onwards. They only just changed the format this year and people have already forgotten how the old format worked.
 
And for the record, if the conference system hadn't existed at the time, the Crusaders WOULD have qualified above the Brumbies. They both ended up on 60 points but the Crusaders had more wins, a higher points differential and beat the Brumbies earlier in the season.

Frye

Sounds like these streakers really robbed the Crusaders of a title by uh, upsetting their, uh, psychic energy.

KiwiMurph

Augustine Pulu has signed with the Blues for 2017. Good move for both parties.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="571515" data-time="1460340745">
<div>
Augustine Pulu has signed with the Blues for 2017. Good move for both parties.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
2 seasons: 2017-2018
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.superrugby.co.nz/News/29022/pulu-shifts-north-for-2017-season'>http://www.superrugby.co.nz/News/29022/pulu-shifts-north-for-2017-season</a>

broughie

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="571522" data-time="1460342012">
<div>
2 seasons: 2017-2018
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.superrugby.co.nz/News/29022/pulu-shifts-north-for-2017-season'>http://www.superrugby.co.nz/News/29022/pulu-shifts-north-for-2017-season</a>
 
G
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Great addition. He is the type of halfback to get that forward pack moving forward with his running around the rucks etc.

rotated

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="569994" data-time="1459892859">
I hate how they use a bye week in the suspension</blockquote>
 
Remember when Tuquri got a 13 or so week suspension for spear tackling McCaw when at the time due to scheduling resulted in missing one game between the 3N and EOYT. 
The loophole has been known for that long and still not addressed. 
I spent a lot of time thinking about this over my 6 month ban from watching Super Rugby games over the summer as you can tell.

Tim

Good signing. Apparently the Blues are after SBW too. Add a lock and a reserve hooker, and there's a lot of promise there. Then it all comes down to 10.

The Silver Fern

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