Super Rugby News

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="585418" data-time="1465264024">
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Poor bastard. What happened?
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It's explained here: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.waratahs.com.au/Waratahs/News/NewsArticle/tabid/157/ArticleID/17194/NSW-Waratahs’-highest-ever-capped-player-Benn-Robinson-announces-his-retirement-from-rugby.aspx'>http://www.waratahs.com.au/Waratahs/News/NewsArticle/tabid/157/ArticleID/17194/NSW-Waratahs’-highest-ever-capped-player-Benn-Robinson-announces-his-retirement-from-rugby.aspx</a>

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="584136" data-time="1464618989">
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Last weekend there were two red cards in the Kings v Jaguares game in which the players charged into the ruck and made contact with their shoulders to the head of an opponent. 
Here in NZ, Havili got cited for an alleged swinging arm making contact with the neck of an opponent. 
 
Herrera has received a suspension of ONE week! Now, how inconsistent are they going to be this time and how much will Havili get? For sure, shoulder charge to head should be more serious than arm swing v neck? Havili shouldn't get any suspension based on that, but we all know it doesn't quite work that way! 
 
From Planet Rugby website: 

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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="584322" data-time="1464678471">
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The decision on Lavanini (Jaguares) has just been published by Planet Rugby. 
 
The verdict and suspension are consistent with that imposed on Herrera. Lavanini gets 2 weeks suspension instead of 1 because of his previous offending. 

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David Havili suspended for one week, just like Herrera, except that Herrera misses a test match and Havili probably only a club rugby game. (Haven't seen the decision yet).
 
Although I generally don't like players being able to serve their suspensions during byes/season breaks and only missing club games, in this case the one week suspension is so disproportionate if you compare Havili's offending with that of the two Jaguares players, that I'm fine with it for that reason. I'm surprised the decision took that long. I wonder whether he pleaded not guilty and the case went to a full judicial hearing ...

Stargazer

Article on Fox Sports website in Oz: 

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
Englandâ€™s failed World Cup coach Stuart Lancaster in contention to take over Reds 
 ENGLANDâ€™S failed World Cup coach Stuart Lancaster has emerged as a shock contender to take over at the helm of the Queensland Reds. 
 The Queensland Rugby Union has consistently talked up the quest as worldwide for the experienced head coach to steer the Reds out of their three-season slump. 
 Current co-coaches Matt Oâ€™Connor and Nick Stiles both have strong ambitions to head the Reds next season and the QRU has said they will be on the short list of final candidates. 
 Lancaster, 46, resigned before he was punted after Englandâ€™s muddled and embarrassing exit at the pool stage of their own World Cup last year. England have won a Six Nations crown since replacing Lancaster with Eddie Jones, who will steer the side into the big first Test against the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night. 
 Lancasterâ€™s 28 wins from 46 Tests in charge included triumphs over the All Blacks and Wallabies (two) and he was respected for his organisational skills and rebuilding of team culture. 
 Both are elements the QRU regards highly but he did delegate much of the on-field coaching to assistants. 
 With hands-on pair Oâ€™Connor and Stiles at the Reds for another two seasons and both well regarded by the players, a head coach to sit above them is one possible scenario. 
 When chairman Damien Frawley announced Richard Barker as the QRUâ€™s chief executive last week, he said he hoped a new coach could be settled in four-to-six weeks. 
 â€œA lot of work is being done under the radar sifting through availability and who is the right person,â€ Frawley said. 
 Kiwis Robbie Deans (Wallabies), John Mitchell (Force) and Daryl Gibson (Waratahs) have brought an international flavour to coaching top Australian teams although Lancaster would become the first English head coach of an Australian Super Rugby side.
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The reactions to Fox tweeting this article are just as positive as NZers would be if Sky had posted an article saying that Lancaster was a candidate for the Highlanders or Crusaders gig.

KiwiMurph

Confirmed Jimmy Tupou and Alex Hodgeman (Crusaders prop) signed for the Blues 2017.
 
Hodgeman went to Mt Albert Grammar and played Blues U18s.

SammyC

Hodgeman is a good signing, way better scrummager than the blues current options at loosehead
 
(he also has a high workrate, which blues fans will probably find more appealing) ;)

Canes4life

Hodgeman is a great signing for the Blues. Crusaders will be a bit peeved they let him go but what can you do when you have Moody and Crockett.

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="585618" data-time="1465356735">
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Hodgeman is a great signing for the Blues. Crusaders will be a bit peeved they let him go but what can you do when you have Moody and Crockett.
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We have Tim Perry too, who is a good backup.
 
Good on him for moving. I like watching him play.

Canes4life

The Blues are starting to piece together a very tidy side for next year. Talk about firepower.
 
I hate to say it but imagine if they were able to nab Barrett.

Chris B.

How did Tony Woodcock learn to be such a good prop without going to the Crusaders?
 
Bloody poaching, pass-the-chequebook North Island teams - seems like they're angling to defect to the French competition!

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="585612" data-time="1465354955">
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Hodgeman is a good signing, way better scrummager than the blues current options at loosehead
 
(he also has a high workrate, which blues fans will probably find more appealing) ;)
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That is a very good signing. I was hoping for a while that we would go for him as he is wasted playing week in week out for Linwood.

Stargazer

Bit of a random thought: it's remarkable how the Blues have been announcing these new signings recently, but you don't hear anything from the other teams signing new players (only re-signing). The Canes are losing at least 5 players, the Crusaders 6, the Highlanders and Chiefs (if you count SBW) at least 3. And those are the one's that have been made public (officially), there may be more. 
 
Are the Blues just more active in signing new players before they are locked in by other teams? Or are they just doing it more openly to assure their fans that they are working on a stronger squad for next year, because this year's campaign hasn't been a success and they want to keep the fans interested? 
 
I can see why the Highlanders & Crusaders are maybe slower in signing new players because they want to give their new head coach a say in the hiring & the firing, but that doesn't apply to the Chiefs and Canes.
The list of players with contracts ending in 2016 is still quite long, too ...

Tim

The Blues can't make the playoffs, so it isn't crucial to avoid such distractions? Perhaps it gives some motivation for the last two games, as players may be playing for their places?

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="585643" data-time="1465368872">
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Bit of a random thought: it's remarkable how the Blues have been announcing these new signings recently, but you don't hear anything from the other teams signing new players (only re-signing). The Canes are losing at least 5 players, the Crusaders 6, the Highlanders and Chiefs (if you count SBW) at least 3. And those are the one's that have been made public (officially), there may be more. 
 
Are the Blues just more active in signing new players before they are locked in by other teams? Or are they just doing it more openly to assure their fans that they are working on a stronger squad for next year, because this year's campaign hasn't been a success and they want to keep the fans interested? 
 
I can see why the Highlanders & Crusaders are maybe slower in signing new players because they want to give their new head coach a say in the hiring & the firing, but that doesn't apply to the Chiefs and Canes.
The list of players with contracts ending in 2016 is still quite long, too ...
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I guess with the Blues finals hopes almost gone-skies you could say that they are able to make signings more public and it wont have to much of a bearing on the current crop of players in the Blues squad.
 
Whereas if the other four N.Z. teams started making their signings public at this stage in the season then it may prevent the current squad members from putting in their full effort this year knowing that they may not have a spot in the side next year. (If that makes sense)
 
I notice that most franchises make a move on players at the back end of the Mitre 10 Cup. We usually start hearing about signings in October so I wouldn't worry too much about the likes of the Crusaders and Canes at this stage.

taniwharugby

Confirmed: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11653637'>Bryns a Crusaders</a>

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="585859" data-time="1465446493">
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Confirmed: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11653637'>Bryns a Crusaders</a>
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Hopefully he can hit his straps at the Crusaders. Probably suits their style of play more than he does at the Blues tbh.

Stargazer

Tweet from Nigel Yalden: "Super Rugby over 4 @Chiefsrugby Johan Bardoul (fractured ankle) & Glen Fisiiahi (knee) @BOPRugby outside back Monty Ioane replaces Fisiiahi"
 
Edited to add this link: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/80932270/chiefs-suffer-injury-blows-as-glen-fisiiahi-and-johan-bardoul-ruled-out-for-season'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/80932270/chiefs-suffer-injury-blows-as-glen-fisiiahi-and-johan-bardoul-ruled-out-for-season</a>

Stargazer

The Reds have signed George Smith for 2017 and 2018.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/reds/queensland-reds-sign-former-wallabies-breakaway-george-smith-20160609-gpfxtr.html '>http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/reds/queensland-reds-sign-former-wallabies-breakaway-george-smith-20160609-gpfxtr.html </a>

Higgins

Not injured yet but possibly might be this time on Saturday.
The following have been listed as starters in club rugby here in Wellington tomorrow. Good to see them not being hidden away and being made available for their club teams
 
Old Boys-University v Upper Hutt - Jason Woodward at centre for Upper Hutt with Ben May (No and Wes Goosen (centre) for OBU
 
Johnsonville v Old Boys-University 2nd XV - Te Tairoa Tahuriorangi and Chris Eves are both down to start for Johnsonville
 
Poneke v Oriental-Rongotai - Reg Goodes (loosehead) and Willis Haloholo at centre for Poneke whilst Roy Kinikinilau laces up his boots to take on Haloholo.
 
Tawa v Marist-St Patricks - Hisa Sasagi fronts at tighthead for Tawa with Loni Uhila doing likewise for MSP. Victor Vito is also listed to start for MSP at No 8 whilst non Hurricane Shaun Treeby will be making a start at second five for Tawa.
 
Petone v Marist-St Patricks 2nd XV - Both Brad Shields and James Blackwell front for Petone at blindside and lock respectively.
 
There could be others getting a run that have not been named at this stage (eg Vaea Fifita fronted last week for Wellington despite not being listed as a starter on clubrugby.co.nz) so fans might be in for a bit of a treat with all these professionals showing what they are capable of.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="586115" data-time="1465535894">
Not injured yet but possibly might be this time on Saturday. 
The following have been listed as starters in club rugby here in Wellington tomorrow. Good to see them not being hidden away and being made available for their club teams 
 Old Boys-University v Upper Hutt - Jason Woodward at centre for Upper Hutt with Ben May (No and Wes Goosen (centre) for OBU 
 Johnsonville v Old Boys-University 2nd XV - Te Tairoa Tahuriorangi and Chris Eves are both down to start for Johnsonville 
 Poneke v Oriental-Rongotai - Reg Goodes (loosehead) and Willis Haloholo at centre for Poneke whilst Roy Kinikinilau laces up his boots to take on Haloholo. 
 Tawa v Marist-St Patricks - Hisa Sasagi fronts at tighthead for Tawa with Loni Uhila doing likewise for MSP. Victor Vito is also listed to start for MSP at No 8 whilst non Hurricane Shaun Treeby will be making a start at second five for Tawa. 
 Petone v Marist-St Patricks 2nd XV - Both Brad Shields and James Blackwell front for Petone at blindside and lock respectively. 
 There could be others getting a run that have not been named at this stage (eg Vaea Fifita fronted last week for Wellington despite not being listed as a starter on clubrugby.co.nz) so fans might be in for a bit of a treat with all these professionals showing what they are capable of. 
</blockquote>
 
This is from the Dominion Post: 

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
Hurricanes players released to play club rugby on Saturday:
 
Wellington: Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Victor Vito (Marist St Pats); Wes Goosen (Old Boys University); Reggie Goodes, Willis Halaholo (Poneke); Hisa Sasagi (Tawa); Jason Woodward (Upper Hutt Rams); Peter Umaga-Jensen (Wainuiomata); Vaea Fifita (Wellington); Brad Shields, James Blackwell (Petone); Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Johnsonville). Withdrawn due to injury: Ben May (OBU), Loni Uhila (MSP) Hawke's Bay: Geoff Cridge (Hastings Rugby and Sport), Mark Abbott (Napier Old Boys Marist), Ricky Riccitelli (Havelock North). Manawatu: Chris Eves (Kia Toa), Callum Gibbins (Varsity), Otere Black (College Old Boys).
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 <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/80939221/hurricanes-players-released-to-play-club-rugby.html'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/80939221/hurricanes-players-released-to-play-club-rugby.html</a>

Higgins

I like to think I keep reasonably up to date with things rugby but seem to have missed the news that Peter Umaga-Jensen is a Hurricane. Hopefully Canes4Life will be able to point me in the right direction re this happening. Also noticeable that the mysterious Hugh Renton has not been released to play nor included in the "unavailable because of injury" category. There seems to be no valid reason behind this as he cannot possible be fatigued or overworked. Perhaps he has been awarded Life Membership in the "unavailable because of injury" ranks and it does not need to be proffered as the reason why he is not able to play?

The Silver Fern

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