Super Rugby News

[Wurzel]

Still one squad to announce but don't expect the Canes to require Matt Vaega or Stephen Donald; which makes them the two glaring omissions from what I can tell.

Tana obviously couldn't convince Beaver to pull on a blue and white jersey.

[Tim]

@wurzel said in Super Rugby News:

Matt Vaega

It's hard out there for a North Harbour midfielder. One of the best backlines for the past two years, but not a single midfielder picked.

[Bovidae]

@kiwipie Marty is listed as a 1st 5 on that graphic.

@Stargazer @Chris-B What is Aumua like? I only saw Ta$man play once (SF vs Taranaki) and I honestly can't remember him.

[KiwiPie]

@bovidae Yep which is why I pointed out his absence on Stargazer's list

[Tim]

@bovidae said in Super Rugby News:

What is Aumua like?

Strong but not exactly svelte ...

[Stargazer]

[Stargazer]

@kiwipie I forgot all fullbacks. Have added them now.

[Tim]

When are the Australian squads announced?

[Bovidae]

I read that the jersey unveil will be in early Dec so perhaps new jerseys are to be released.

[Stargazer]

@tim They never announce their squads on the same day, do they?

[Tim]

@stargazer No idea. G&GR were speculating on the squads yesterday.

[Stargazer]

2018 Hurricanes squad:

PROP
Chris Eves
Alex Fidow
Reg Goodes
Ben May
Toby Smith
Jeffrey To'omaga-Allen

HOOKER
Asafo Aumua
Dane Coles
Ricky Riccitelli

LOCK
James Blackwell (also loose forward)
Murray Douglas
Michael Fatialofa
Sam Lousi
Isaia Walker-Leawere

LOOSE FORWARD
Gareth Evans
Vaea Fifita (also lock)
Sam Henwood
Reed Prinsep
Ardie Savea
Brad Shields
Blade Thomson

HALFBACK
Jamie Booth
Finlay Christie
TJ Perenara

FIRST-FIVE EIGHTH
Beauden Barrett
Jackson Garden-Bachop (also fullback)
TJ Va'a
Ihaia West

MIDFIELDER
Wes Goosen
Ngani Laumape
Jonah Lowe

WING
Vince Aso
Ben Lam
Matt Proctor (also fullback)
Julian Savea

FULLBACK
Jordie Barrett (also midfield)
Nehe Milner-Skudder
Peter Umaga-Jensen

(positions based on squad guide, except Walker-Leawere, who was written down as a prop)

[Steven Harris]

Geoff Cridge...?

[Higgins]

Why the continued love affair with TJ Va'a. He wasn't even in the Wellington Mitre10 Cup squad this year, Daniel Kirkpatrick was though! Four first fives seems waaaaaaay over the top.

[Stargazer]

@steven-harris said in Super Rugby News:

Geoff Cridge...?

Another long-term injury. Has really bad luck, that lad. But also no Renton, who's fit and played well during Mitre 10 Cup.

[Higgins]

@steven-harris said in Super Rugby News:

Geoff Cridge...?

Never been a supporter of Cridge, mainly because he was permanently injured but having watched Walker-Leawere a few times playing for Poneke you could say that I did not see what the selectors see in him and am unsure whether he is better player than Cridge. I know I would have both ahead of James Blackwell though.

[Tim]

The TAB has wasted no time in posting their first odds. Seems that the Lions are the only non-NZ team they rate.

1 Crusaders 4.50
2 Hurricanes 4.50
3 Lions 6.00
4 Chiefs 7.00
5 Highlanders 7.00
6 Blues 10.00
7 Brumbies 15.00
8 Stormers 15.00
9 Waratahs 21.00
10 Bulls 21.00
11 Shark 31.00
12 Jaguares 41.00
13 Reds 41.00
14 Rebels 101.00
15 Sunwolves 501.00

[Higgins]

Well they rate the Sunwolves a better chance of winning than I do. I would have them at 5000001.00 and still not lose any sleep over it.

[akan004]

Has Frizell been picked up by anyone?

[Tim]

@akan004 Highlanders.