Super Rugby News
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<p>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:</p>
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<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.
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<p>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.</p>
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<p><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></p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="571515" data-time="1460340745">
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<p>Augustine Pulu has signed with the Blues for 2017. Good move for both parties.</p>
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<p>2 seasons: 2017-2018</p>
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<p><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></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="571522" data-time="1460342012">
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<p>2 seasons: 2017-2018</p>
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<p><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></p>
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<p>G</p>
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<p>Great addition. He is the type of halfback to get that forward pack moving forward with his running around the rucks etc. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="569994" data-time="1459892859"><p>
I hate how they use a bye week in the suspension</p></blockquote>
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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.<br><br>
The loophole has been known for that long and still not addressed.<br><br>
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. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="571531" data-time="1460343531">
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<p>Good signing. Apparently the Blues are after SBW too. Add a lock and a reserve hooker, and there's a lot of promise there. <strong>Then it all comes down to 10.</strong></p>
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<p> twas ever thus</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="571515" data-time="1460340745">
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<p>Augustine Pulu has signed with the Blues for 2017. Good move for both parties.</p>
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<p>who is leaving or are they letting go...would think Hall or Guyton?</p>
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<p>They have Hall, Guyton, Nock signed at present (with the latter signing for 3 seasons)</p> -
<p>Just had a bit of a look at which players are coming off contract after the 2016 Super Rugby season. It's probably not a complete list & I may have missed a (re-)signing, but there are some interesting players who have yet to commit for the next season(s):</p>
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<div>Barrett, Beauden - Hurricanes</div>
<div>Barrett, Scott - Crusaders</div>
<div>Brown, Jed - Crusaders</div>
<div>Buckman, Richard - Highlanders</div>
<div>Ellis, Andy - Crusaders</div>
<div>Ellison, Tamati - Rebels</div>
<div>Evans, Gareth - Highlanders</div>
<div>Fruean, Robbie - Crusaders</div>
<div>Goodes, Reggie - Hurricanes</div>
<div>Graham, Mitchell - Chiefs</div>
<div>Guildford, Zac - Waratahs</div>
<div>Havili, David - Crusaders</div>
<div>Horrell, Andrew - Chiefs</div>
<div>Latimer, Tanerau - Blues</div>
<div>Mathewson, Alby - Force</div>
<div>McKenzie, Marty - Crusaders</div>
<div>Mo’unga, Richie - Crusaders</div>
<div>NgÄtai, Charlie - Chiefs</div>
<div>Perry, Tim - Crusaders</div>
<div>Ranger, Rene - Blues</div>
<div>Romano, Luke - Crusaders</div>
<div>Savea, Ardie - Hurricanes</div>
<div>Shields, Brad - Hurricanes</div>
<div>Tamanivalu, Seta - Chiefs</div>
<div>Taylor, Codie - Crusaders</div>
<div>Tongia, Ryan - Highlanders?</div>
<div>Toomaga-Allen, Jeffrey - Hurricanes</div>
<div>Volavola, Ben - Crusaders</div>
<div>West, Ihaia - Blues</div>
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<div>Edit:</div>
<div>Number of players per NZ team:</div>
<div>Blues: 3</div>
<div>Chiefs: 4</div>
<div>Crusaders: 11</div>
<div>Hurricanes: 5</div>
<div>Highlanders: 3</div>
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<div>I'm now sure I'm missing players on this list. Particularly, my info on Highlanders signings is limited. I think Tongia is free after this season, but not sure about other players.</div> -
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<div>Barrett, Beauden - Hurricanes</div>
<div>Barrett, Scott - Crusaders</div>
Graham, Mitchell - Chiefs
<div>Horrell, Andrew - Chiefs</div>
NgÄtai, Charlie - Chiefs
<div>Perry, Tim - Crusaders</div>
<div>Romano, Luke - Crusaders</div>
<p>Taylor, Codie - Crusaders</p>
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<p>All potential recruits for the Blues.</p> -
<p>We've been there for the last 5 seasons in a row.</p>
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<p>Pulu is a nice signing and a massive upgrade at halfback. Not too surprised he's coming though, as he was coming off contract and expressed his desire to be here, but regardless, nice to see it confirmed.</p>
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<p>Both Hall and Guyton should be replaced TBH, because I doubt those two can fix their woeful passing at their age, especially Guyton. Pulu replaces Hall and sign Fukofuka to replace Guyton. Maybe even throw a WTG contract out to young Jonathan Taumateine if his form warrants it. This would spruce up a weak position quite nicely.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="571564" data-time="1460348674">
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<p>2017 backline? Perhaps:<br><br>
9. Pulu<br>
10. Barrett (not happening)<br>
11. Moala<br>
12. SBW<br>
13. Ioane<br>
14. Nanai/Ranger<br>
15. West<br><br>
May as well give us the tite now.</p>
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<p>Only disappointment can come from writing such line-ups.</p>
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<p>I like Ioane at centre. I think he's definitely going to move there in the future. He's already ended the last 3 games at centre.</p>
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<p>I'd have Trainor at fullback myself. I just hope Waikato play Trainor at fullback and not wing in the ITM Cup this year.</p>
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<p>Barrett is definitely not coming, but it wouldn't hurt to try one more time. :yes: </p> -
<p>Wouldn't be surprised if Hall moves on now that Pulu is signed. Guyton seems the type who's just happy to have an opportunity to play at Super Rugby level, where as I can't see Hall sticking around playing 2nd fiddle at this time in his career.</p>
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I doubt Richard Buckman would leave the Highlanders for any other franchise, he would have had the 12 Jersey all year if her wasn't injured. As for the other Magpies. The word I'm hearing is that Gareth Evans is very frustrated with a lack of game time and a North Island franchise is circling. Haven't heard anything about Tongia, but at the moment he would be stupid to stick around, when he performs well and doesn't get selected.
