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ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="576719" data-time="1462315251">The Herald were hardly Blues fluffers when they ran a concerted campaign to drum Kirwan out as coach.</blockquote>
 
Why is that? Kirwan was bad for Blues rugby so the Herald wanted him gone!

Crucial

They hammered the players as well as the coach. 
I still maintain that part of the reason Kirwan failed was that it was difficult to instill confidence when every man and their dog were having a crack at them.

taniwharugby

why should they be immune to criticism?
 
Tana at least seems to be trying to engage the stakeholders (Auckland, NH, Northland and fans) whereas Lam and SJK never did that, talked about it, but didn't do anything, while he is creeping along on the field, in a way it is probably better for Tana the rest of the NZ franchises are so strong too, makes him look better if the Blues win, and given more leeway if they lose - Lam and SJK never had the luxury of such strong NZ competition IMO

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="576690" data-time="1462299370">
<div>
The NZ Herald, the Official Blues fluffers, release about Damian McKenzie re-signing:
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11632923'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11632923</a>
 
But don't worry, maybe he'll sign in 2019!
 
God, the Herald is such shit. I mean really, how the fuck is McKenzie's decision a blow for the Blues when that was already a long shot anyway? Every year they pin all their hopes on the Blues somehow managing to sign <strike>Dan Carter</strike> <strike>Johnny Wilkinson</strike> <strike>Dan Carter</strike> <strike>Juan Martin Hernandez</strike> <strike>Dan Carter</strike> <strike>Beauden Barrett</strike> <strike>Aaron Cruden</strike> <strike>Beauden Barrett</strike> Damian McKenzie. They'd make the absolute worst poker players, ignoring all the simpler hands because they're constantly praying for a miracle hand.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="576690" data-time="1462299370">
<div>
The NZ Herald, the Official Blues fluffers, release about Damian McKenzie re-signing:
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11632923'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11632923</a>
 
But don't worry, maybe he'll sign in 2019!
 
God, the Herald is such shit. I mean really, how the fuck is McKenzie's decision a blow for the Blues when that was already a long shot anyway? Every year they pin all their hopes on the Blues somehow managing to sign <strike>Dan Carter</strike> <strike>Johnny Wilkinson</strike> <strike>Dan Carter</strike> <strike>Juan Martin Hernandez</strike> <strike>Dan Carter</strike> <strike>Beauden Barrett</strike> <strike>Aaron Cruden</strike> <strike>Beauden Barrett</strike> Damian McKenzie. They'd make the absolute worst poker players, ignoring all the simpler hands because they're constantly praying for a miracle hand.
</div>
</blockquote>
They are a bunch of clowns who do everything to bring us down. Sopoaga or Cruden to the Blues for next seasons rumour mill and then when it predictably doesn't happen, we'll get the 'No-one wants to play for the Blues' rubbish.

Bovidae

Some more info about Hames' injury and his long road to recovery. Well done for staying in NZ and chasing his AB dream.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/79592919/chiefs-punt-paying-off-for-kane-hames-as-he-gets-another-shot-at-super-rugby'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/79592919/chiefs-punt-paying-off-for-kane-hames-as-he-gets-another-shot-at-super-rugby</a>

Crash

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="577044" data-time="1462410052">
<div>
Some more info about Hames' injury and his long road to recovery. Well done for staying in NZ and chasing his AB dream.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/79592919/chiefs-punt-paying-off-for-kane-hames-as-he-gets-another-shot-at-super-rugby'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/79592919/chiefs-punt-paying-off-for-kane-hames-as-he-gets-another-shot-at-super-rugby</a>
</div>
</blockquote>
Yeah especially as it looks like the Clan could do with his services, just as much as the Chiefs - suddenly he is in demand!

SouthernMan

Fletcher Smith has been called into the Highlanders as a replacement for Hayden Parker.

bobily

And Hame Faiva has been called in for Liam Coltman. Temporarily, I think.

Higgins

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SouthernMan" data-cid="577329" data-time="1462495752">
<div>
Fletcher Smith has been called into the Highlanders as a replacement for Hayden Parker.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
I can vaguely recall the name but not his performances for Otago. Can anyone down that way let us know if this is a worthy selection or just a sticking a pile of names into a barrel, giving it a shake and a blindfolded lucky dip, lets take the first name drawn out selection.

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="577356" data-time="1462503476">
<div>
I can vaguely recall the name but not his performances for Otago. Can anyone down that way let us know if this is a worthy selection or just a sticking a pile of names into a barrel, giving it a shake and a blindfolded lucky dip, lets take the first name drawn out selection.
</div>
</blockquote>
The Highlanders tend to have there backup training squads from the next ranking players around Otago/ Southland.
 
I know that the halfback they have had going to trainings 'just in case' has been the kid from the Stags who has only had one year of provincial. 
 
I guess that it is a good investment in looking at these guys early and if they come on they are more likely to get a signing but the drawback is that they are fairly inexperienced if actually needed.
 
A couple of seasons ago a club prop teammate of my son had to suit up and acquitted himself OK.
 
I would say that this Fletcher Smith is in that same boat. Cheap to have around.

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="577365" data-time="1462505042">
<div>
The Highlanders tend to have there backup training squads from the next ranking players around Otago/ Southland.
 
I know that the halfback they have had going to trainings 'just in case' has been the kid from the Stags who has only had one year of provincial. 
 
I guess that it is a good investment in looking at these guys early and if they come on they are more likely to get a signing but the drawback is that they are fairly inexperienced if actually needed.
 
A couple of seasons ago a club prop teammate of my son had to suit up and acquitted himself OK.
 
I would say that this Fletcher Smith is in that same boat. Cheap to have around. 
</div>
</blockquote>
 
He's a bit better than that
 
Another 10 to come out of Christchurch Boys High, NZ Secondary schools and I think NZ under 20.
 
Played a year of club rugby in Chch before signing with Otago. 
 
Seen him play a few times and has plenty of promise.

Crucial

I'm not saying these guys are no good, but many have little experience even at a provincial level.

SammyC

Oh OK, he played for Otago last year in the NPC didn't he?

African Monkey

Can't say he was anything special from what I saw of him last year but that's not to say that he won't become a good player. Definitely not super rugby standard yet.

Stargazer

Patrick Osborne has re-signed with the Highlanders for 2017, but has made himself available for the Fijian national team! 

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
The exciting wing has played 47 games for the Highlanders since his debut in 2014 and has formed a lethal partnership with fellow Fijian Waisake Naholo. Osborne will play for Japanese club Kubota Spears later this year before returning to Dunedin for the 2017 Investec Super Rugby season. He has made himself available for the Fijian national team in the June international window.
</blockquote>
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.superrugby.co.nz/News/29155/osborne-signs-with-the-highlanders'>http://www.superrugby.co.nz/News/29155/osborne-signs-with-the-highlanders</a>

Stargazer

Halfback Leon Fukofuka, has re-signed with the Crusaders for another two years.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://crusaders.co.nz/news/951-bnz-crusaders-name-team-for-the-southern-derby'>http://crusaders.co.nz/news/951-bnz-crusaders-name-team-for-the-southern-derby</a>

SouthernMan

On the Fletcher Smith introduction to the squad. I'm happy with it, looking around the country there's no one better available. Plus I believe his skill set is superior to what Hayden Parker has to offer. He actually has some pace and is quite a bit bigger than Parker. If the two were up against each other during the Mitre 10 Cup, I would back Smith to have the starting spot by the end of the year.

Stargazer

Is Senatore the Luis Suarez of rugby? What an idiot! 
 
From Newshub site: 

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
Jaguares Leonardo Senatore suspended 10 weeks for biting 
 Tuesday 17 May 2016 6:36 a.m. Argentina international loose-forward Leonardo Senatore has been suspended for 10 weeks after being found guilty of biting an opponent in a Super Rugby match on Saturday. 
 It is the second time the 32-year-old has been suspended for the same offence having sat out nine weeks in 2013 for biting South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth in a Rugby Championship fixture. 
 Senatore was playing for the Buenos Aires-based Jaguares when he sunk his teeth into the arm of Sharks flank Keegan Daniel as the pair tussled in a ruck near the end of a tense 25-22 victory for the South African side in Velez Sarsfield. 
 Despite being a repeat offender, his most recent ban was reduced from the prescribed minimum of 12 weeks for what the SANZAAR judicial committee called his "good character, his playing record and his disciplinary record". 
 "The Judicial Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a low-end entry point of 12 weeks. The Judicial Committee then added two weeks for aggravation as this was the player's second offence for biting," SANZAAR said in a statement on Monday. 
 "However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player's good character, his playing record and his disciplinary record the Judicial Committee reduced the suspension to a period of 10 weeks." 
 The suspension rules Senatore out of the remainder of the group phase of the Super Rugby season, with the Jaguares unlikely to make the playoffs. 
 He will be free to play in the Rugby Championship starting on August 20 but will miss Argentina's three friendly internationals in June against Italy and France (two).
</blockquote>
 
The mystery of determining penalties again: they add 2 weeks for aggravation because he's done it before and then reduce it by 4 weeks for a good disciplinary record etc? I don't understand how you can have a good disciplinary record if you have already been banned for 9 weeks for the same offence.
 
By the way, Augustin Creevy got a one week suspension for a dangerous tackle on Sharks flanker Jean Deysel and will miss the Jaguares game v the Lions.

taniwharugby

maybe cos biting is the only thing he does, and I mean 3 years between bites is a pretty good thing, he's obviously doing a good job of controlling his urges!

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="580238" data-time="1463433905">
<div>
Is Senatore the Luis Suarez of rugby? What an idiot! 
 
From Newshub site: 

 
The mystery of determining penalties again: they add 2 weeks for aggravation because he's done it before and then reduce it by 4 weeks for a good disciplinary record etc? I don't understand how you can have a good disciplinary record if you have already been banned for 9 weeks for the same offence.
 
By the way, Augustin Creevy got a one week suspension for a dangerous tackle on Sharks flanker Jean Deysel and will miss the Jaguares game v the Lions.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
The logic in applying these penalties seem to be somewhat arbitrary and somewhat dependent on what big future fixtures you might want to play in.

The Silver Fern

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