Super Rugby News
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<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>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="571543" data-time="1460346045">
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<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><strong>Barrett, Beauden - Hurricanes</strong></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><strong>Goodes, Reggie - Hurricanes</strong></div>
<div>Graham, Mitchell - Chiefs</div>
<div>Guildford, Zac - Waratahs</div>
<div>Havili, David - Crusaders</div>
<div><strong>Horrell, Andrew - Chiefs</strong></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><strong>Romano, Luke - Crusaders</strong></div>
<div>Savea, Ardie - Hurricanes</div>
<div><strong>Shields, Brad - Hurricanes</strong></div>
<div>Tamanivalu, Seta - Chiefs</div>
<div>Taylor, Codie - Crusaders</div>
<div>Tongia, Ryan - Highlanders?</div>
<div><strong>Toomaga-Allen, Jeffrey - Hurricanes</strong></div>
<div>Volavola, Ben - Crusaders</div>
<div>West, Ihaia - Blues</div>
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<p>Some of the players I could possibly see moving overseas.</p>
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<p>I must say the NZRFU has done a very good job at keeping the talent. Hopefully it continues, but the likes of Pulu signing on is encouraging.</p> -
This is one fucked up looking sports comp table<br><br><br>
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.superxv.com/overall-super-rugby-standings/'>http://www.superxv.com/overall-super-rugby-standings/</a> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SouthernMan" data-cid="571625" data-time="1460374166">
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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,<strong> certainly offers more than the stat man Luke Whitelock.</strong><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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<p>So has Whitelock actually leaped above Evans in the rankings of Highlanders loosies or is/was Evans just injured? As someone said on the match thread this may be the best Extremely Lucky Luke has ever played but he just kills attacks dead - there's no way Evans just dies with the ball those times.</p>
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<p>Billy: You really think Goodes is in danger of going overseas? I'd have thought he wouldn't be too far off an AB cap.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="571592" data-time="1460361669">
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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>
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<p>Ah, that sucks. Seems like a dumb decision to sign a four year contract to the bloody Blues of all franchises though. First because it's not like they're lacking wingers, so you really have to fight for one of the two spots and second because it's the fucking Blues.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="571641" data-time="1460393694">
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<p>This is one fucked up looking sports comp table<br><br><br><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.superxv.com/overall-super-rugby-standings/'>http://www.superxv.com/overall-super-rugby-standings/</a></p>
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<p>That doesn't actually look that much different to the tables we saw in the old format, just with four teams automatically going through and four wildcards (though the Bulls don't have a WC next to their name for some weird reason). Where it'll look stupid is when you've got a SA or Aus/NZ wildcard qualifying ahead of a team from the opposite conference even though they have less points (for example, if the Bulls had 16 points, they or the Sharks would still qualify ahead of the Rebels) but that hasn't happened yet.</p>
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<p>Regardless, looking at that chart is dumb anyway. Focus on the Aus/NZ conference and SA conference charts and it makes a lot more sense:</p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.superxv.com/table/'>http://www.superxv.com/table/</a></p>
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<p>The top NZ team and Aus team get automatic spots, then the next best three teams get wildcard spots. Over in the Saffa conference, the top team from each small conference gets an automatic spot, then the next best team remaining gets a wildcard spot.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="571654" data-time="1460411566">
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<p>Billy: You really think Goodes is in danger of going overseas? I'd have thought he wouldn't be too far off an AB cap.</p>
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<p>Well, obviously if he gets AB caps, he will probably stay. However, I would think Moody and Crockett have the LH spots sewn up, so it would be as 3rd choice LH at best. In saying that Crockett is 33 and his best is behind him, so there might be an opening there.</p>
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<p>I basically looked at players who have given Super Rugby a good shot and seem unlikely to crack the ABs, or who have been ABs but might struggle to remain so.</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. 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). <strong>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).</strong></p>
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<p>IMO Banks would have a better chance of taking the starting spot off Mounga than Sopoaga and Im sure he would back himself to do that if he went to the Crusaders. If i was in charge of the Crusaders I would much rather have him than Volavola or Mckenzie. As for the Blues, again he would be a good shot at overtaking West as first choice. However all this is just guessing because he might be perfectly happy being 2nd or 3rd choice at the Highlanders.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="571640" data-time="1460393500">
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<p>Some of the players I could possibly see moving overseas.</p>
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<p>I must say the NZRFU has done a very good job at keeping the talent. Hopefully it continues, but the likes of Pulu signing on is encouraging.</p>
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<p> I don't see Toomaga Allen going north, no T14 or Premiership coach would want to have a prop who can't scrum. I rate him highly in the other aspects of the game though.</p> -
<p>don't think I had seen it and cant be arsed trawling back to see if already mentioned....</p>
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<p>Blake Gibson likely to miss this weekend with a thumb injury, but in better news, Tanerau Latimer may be available to play should he make it through training tomorrow.</p> -
<p>gutting for him and the Blues, one of the few genuine shining lights of their campaign so far.</p>
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<p>That's too bad. I was hoping he would top the tackle and turnover count in Super Rugby in his first full season.</p>
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<p>On the bright side, he'll be available for the last 3 games of the season and Latimer looks to be coming back to full health.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="571776" data-time="1460481323">
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<p> I don't see Toomaga Allen going north, no T14 or Premiership coach would want to have a prop who can't scrum. I rate him highly in the other aspects of the game though.</p>
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<p>Selections can be funny in this area though. The Chiefs recruited Jamie Mackintosh.</p> -
<p>I'm just astounded by how poor (IMO highly subjective obviously) the Herald Writer's AB 1st XVs are: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11622408'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11622408</a></p>
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<p>As expected, the best selection comes from Nigel Yalden, who actually knows what he's talking about (remember he nailed the RWC squad, albeit probably with inside information). He does have Sopoaga ahead of Cruden (which I actually think is possible, despite the general opinion of this forum that Cruden is a 100% lock for 10)</p>
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<p>The rest I despair: Hansen has categorically stated McKenzie is not a wing...but several have McKenzie there, despite the fact he clearly seems to be a 15/10. Patrick Osbourne makes several selections. Devlin has Parsons at hooker (!), Faumuina starting TH, Taufua at 6, Jane at 11. Mulligan has the departing Vito at 6, and Dagg at 15 (based on what exactly...), and good old Wynne Gray (I honestly think he is pure gash for a senior rugby writer) has Taufua at 6, Osbourne at 11, and McKenzie at 14.</p>
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<p>Devlin, though, complete shocker.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="572201" data-time="1460608102">
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<p>Devlin has Parsons at hooker (!), <strong>Faumuina starting LH</strong>, Taufua at 6, Jane at 11. </p>
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<p>Fixed.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="572205" data-time="1460608487">
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<p>Fixed.</p>
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<p>Whoops! And my opinion of Devlin's rugby knowledge drops another few points...(I just assumed TH without really checking, because, well, I thought everyone knows Charlie plays TH)</p>
