Super Rugby News
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<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.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SouthernMan" data-cid="571575" data-time="1460354970">
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>Yes, I also can't imagine the Highlanders <em>not</em> signing Buckman for a few more seasons. I was surprised they re-signed him only for one season, last year.</p>
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<p>Hmmm, which NI franchise needs a 7 or 8? Which team has backrowers leaving/retiring at the end of the season? Vito is going, but the Canes seem to have plenty of options there. Unless Shields decides to move on. I don't think Ardie will go anywhere. How are the Chiefs' and Blues' stocks?</p>
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<p>I kind of like the idea of Tongia replacing Jane at the Canes, but the latter is still signed until 2017 and they already have Proctor. Don't think the Chiefs or Blues need outside backs? That leaves the Crusaders, who do need at least one new winger. Not sure whether he wants to leave NZ and go back to Aussi, considering he's said multiple times how much he likes being here and his partner is from Hawke's Bay. I just can't figure out why he doesn't get game time at the Landers. I'm convinced he's better than Faddes & Wilson. He's also one of the fastest backs playing in NZ.</p>
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<p>Do you know whether Ash Dixon is signed for next season? He came to the Landers at the same time as Edmonds. Edmonds has re-signed, but I can't find anything about Dixon.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="571580" data-time="1460357794">
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<p>What is the status of marty banks' contract? Inwould be trying to poach him if i was tana or the crusaders.</p>
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<p>Banks signed with the Highlanders in Oct 2014. I assume that was for 2 years as the Highlanders rarely seem to sign players for longer than 1 or 2 years. So that would mean he comes off contract after this season.</p>
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<p>I'm not sure the Crusaders will be interested as they've overlooked him the last few years (after he was in their WTG in 2013). And who would he replace? Surely not Mo'unga, who's looking to become a really good 10 with plenty of potential. That leaves Havili, Marty McKenzie and Ben Volavola, who are all waiting in line for a bench spot or as injury replacement (Dagg is signed until 2017).</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="571582" data-time="1460358314">
<div>Hmmm, which NI franchise needs a 7 or 8? Which team has backrowers leaving/retiring at the end of the season? Vito is going, but the Canes seem to have plenty of options there. Unless Shields decides to move on. I don't think Ardie will go anywhere. How are the Chiefs' and Blues' stocks?</div>
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<p>The Chiefs loosie stocks seem pretty good to me. About the only one who is a bit of an "eh" is Koloamatangi because he's injured for 90% of every bloody season.</p>
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<p>In fact, I'd probably only make a few changes to the Chiefs squad. Maybe SBW (instead of Horrell), a third halfback and another loosie?</p>
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<p>How long's Jordan Trainor signed with the Blues, by the way? I was hoping the Chiefs would be able to lure him back down highway one at some point.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="571588" data-time="1460360610">
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<p>The Chiefs loosie stocks seem pretty good to me. About the only one who is a bit of an "eh" is Koloamatangi because he's injured for 90% of every bloody season.</p>
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<p>In fact, I'd probably only make a few changes to the Chiefs squad. Maybe SBW (instead of Horrell), a third halfback and another loosie?</p>
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<p><strong>How long's Jordan Trainor signed with the Blues, by the way? I was hoping the Chiefs would be able to lure him back down highway one at some point.</strong></p>
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<p>No chance of Trainor coming back anytime soon, he's signed up until 2019. </p>
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<p>I bet the Blues couldn't believe their luck that he was available to sign this year. I bet they thought he was a goner to the Chiefs for a long time. The Chiefs probably thought no team would touch him this season because he only played one ITM Cup game, but he's rated highly over here, so no way were we going to miss the chance to take him back.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="571585" data-time="1460359409">
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<p>Banks signed with the Highlanders in Oct 2014. And who would he replace? Surely not Mo'unga, who's looking to become a really good 10 with plenty of potential. That leaves Havili, Marty McKenzie and Ben Volavola, who are all waiting in line for a bench spot or as injury replacement (Dagg is signed until 2017).</p>
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<p>Ben Volavola is the obvious one. He will never be eligible to represent the All Blacks given his international appearances last year for Fiji, thus he offers nothing of value to the funders of his salary, the NZRFU. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="571599" data-time="1460365161"><p>Ben Volavola is the obvious one. He will never be eligible to represent the All Blacks given his international appearances last year for Fiji, thus he offers nothing of value to the funders of his salary, the NZRFU.</p></blockquote>
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Plus he's pretty shit. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="571582" data-time="1460358314">
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<p>Yes, I also can't imagine the Highlanders <em>not</em> signing Buckman for a few more seasons. I was surprised they re-signed him only for one season, last year.</p>
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<p>Hmmm, which NI franchise needs a 7 or 8? Which team has backrowers leaving/retiring at the end of the season? Vito is going, but the Canes seem to have plenty of options there. Unless Shields decides to move on. I don't think Ardie will go anywhere. How are the Chiefs' and Blues' stocks?</p>
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<p>I kind of like the idea of <strong>Tongia replacing Jane at the Canes,</strong> but the latter is still signed until 2017 and they already have Proctor. Don't think the Chiefs or Blues need outside backs? That leaves the Crusaders, who do need at least one new winger. Not sure whether he wants to leave NZ and go back to Aussi, considering he's said multiple times how much he likes being here and his partner is from Hawke's Bay. I just can't figure out why he doesn't get game time at the Landers. I'm convinced he's better than Faddes & Wilson. He's also one of the fastest backs playing in NZ.</p>
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<p>Do you know whether Ash Dixon is signed for next season? He came to the Landers at the same time as Edmonds. Edmonds has re-signed, but I can't find anything about Dixon.</p>
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<p>Im not sure as Jane is signed until the end of next year. The inclusion of Umaga Jensen and the likely return of former Hurricanes flyer Andre Taylor would pick up any empty spots the Hurricanes have at the end of the season.</p> -
<p>I watched Umaga Jensen and another player the WRFU have invested countless amounts of time and money into in Malo Tuitama in club rugby on Saturday and despite there being the best part of ninety points being scored neither really had a chance to show much in the way of the abilities everyone keeps waxing lyrically about. There must be something to back up these claims but it was not given the chance to be exhibited on Saturday. I will have to make time to see them in action later this season to see with my own eyes if the hype is all that it is made out to be. If it is then Andre Taylor might be looking elsewhere other than the Hurricanes if he does come back to NZ.</p>
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<p>Banks will be looking at his contract now. He's another one who I can't see leaving the Highlanders if he was to stick around in NZ, why would he take a bench spot at the Crusaders when he already has one down the road (once he's fully fit again).<br><br>
With Gareth Evans, the good oil is the Chiefs are a fan. But he may wait to see who the new Highlanders coach is. I still really like him as a super sub, certainly offers more than the stat man Luke Whitelock.<br><br>
Someone up the thread pointed out the Highlanders only sign guys on for one or two years, that's spot on, except for Aaron Smith, but he's a special case.<br><br><br><br>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="571622" data-time="1460372747"><p>
I watched Umaga Jensen and another player the WRFU have invested countless amounts of time and money into in Malo Tuitama in club rugby on Saturday and despite there being the best part of ninety points being scored neither really had a chance to show much in the way of the abilities everyone keeps waxing lyrically about. There must be something to back up these claims but it was not given the chance to be exhibited on Saturday. I will have to make time to see them in action later this season to see with my own eyes if the hype is all that it is made out to be. If it is then Andre Taylor might be looking elsewhere other than the Hurricanes if he does come back to NZ.</p></blockquote>
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Wanui had Umaga Jensen playing on the wing, a position he hasnt played in for years. He switched between centre and fullback for Scots College and this was a big reason why they made two schools finals in a row. The more Umaga Jensen gets the ball the bigger impact he has. Mark my words Umaga Jensen will be a star in a few years. -
<p>Is it just me or is the overall table pretty much useless now? It really only matters were your team finishes within their own conference, 1st or wild card. </p>
