Crusaders 2023
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As I mentioned a few weeks ago Macca Springer signed for Crusaders to 2025.
Macca Springer Signs First. Crusaders Contract for 2023
Outside back Macca Springer has signed his first Super Rugby contract with the Crusaders for the upcoming 2023 Season. Welcome Macca!
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Brodie McAlister Signs New Crusaders Contract
Crusaders Hooker Brodie McAlister has signed a new contract to 2025.
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@Nogusta said in Crusaders 2023:
I believe Melani Nanai will be a Crusader in 2023.
If true, that's interesting, as they have excess quality outside back options but are in serious need of some proper starch in the midfield, as (apart from Goodhue) they have no midfielders who are strong & effective ball-carriers and can get over the advantage line consistently.
Fainganuku is an option but he's an abysmal defender & has the literal turning ability of a container ship. His weakness are far too exposed at 13. Can't see Isiah Punivai offering strong midfield impact either, while Ennor is even lighter than Havili at just 92 kg.
I wonder if Macca Springer could shuffle into 12 after Havili goes & inevitably chases the Yen? He's a solid, powerful unit at 1.9 and 100kg, similar to the mould of Riley Higgens, and he's currently just 19, so has a fair amount of growing still to come.
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@Asterik6 said in Crusaders 2023:
@Nogusta said in Crusaders 2023:
I believe Melani Nanai will be a Crusader in 2023.
If true, that's interesting, as they have excess quality outside back options but are in serious need of some proper starch in the midfield, as (apart from Goodhue) they have no midfielders who are strong & effective ball-carriers and can get over the advantage line consistently.
Fainganuku is an option but he's an abysmal defender & has the literal turning ability of a container ship. His weakness are far too exposed at 13. Can't see Isiah Punivai offering strong midfield impact either, while Ennor is even lighter than Havili at just 92 kg.
I wonder if Macca Springer could shuffle into 12 after Havili goes & inevitably chases the Yen? He's a solid, powerful unit at 1.9 and 100kg, similar to the mould of Riley Higgens, and he's currently just 19, so has a fair amount of growing still to come.
nah Springer has real pace best suited to the back 3.
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@Asterik6 said in Crusaders 2023:
Fainganuku
Did a really good job at 13 when he was used there in 2022,He caused some problems for defences the few starts he had.
MF hasn't been too much of a problem the last 5 years it certainly hasn't affected the ability to win titles. -
@Asterik6 said in Crusaders 2023:
@Nogusta said in Crusaders 2023:
I believe Melani Nanai will be a Crusader in 2023.
If true, that's interesting, as they have excess quality outside back options but are in serious need of some proper starch in the midfield, as (apart from Goodhue) they have no midfielders who are strong & effective ball-carriers and can get over the advantage line consistently.
Fainganuku is an option but he's an abysmal defender & has the literal turning ability of a container ship. His weakness are far too exposed at 13. Can't see Isiah Punivai offering strong midfield impact either, while Ennor is even lighter than Havili at just 92 kg.
I wonder if Macca Springer could shuffle into 12 after Havili goes & inevitably chases the Yen? He's a solid, powerful unit at 1.9 and 100kg, similar to the mould of Riley Higgens, and he's currently just 19, so has a fair amount of growing still to come.
A bit of hyper-bowl in that post.
Our backline of Mo’unga, Bridge, Havili, Fainga’anuku, Reece, Jordan was pretty effective. It got better when Goodhue came back and we went with Mo’unga, Fainga’anuku, Havili, Goodhue, Reece, Jordan.
Let’s not forget that Fainga’anuku just turned 23yo last week, so is still a pup. He’s a talented player plus he’s got the work ethic so I’m not too concerned about him.
With Ennor covering midfield and wing, I think we are looking okay.
As for Nanai, it will be interesting how Razor will use him. He’s a ball playing back so we could see him closer to the action if some of the ABs are being rested during next years super season.
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@ACT-Crusader said in Crusaders 2023:
@Asterik6 said in Crusaders 2023:
@Nogusta said in Crusaders 2023:
I believe Melani Nanai will be a Crusader in 2023.
If true, that's interesting, as they have excess quality outside back options but are in serious need of some proper starch in the midfield, as (apart from Goodhue) they have no midfielders who are strong & effective ball-carriers and can get over the advantage line consistently.
Fainganuku is an option but he's an abysmal defender & has the literal turning ability of a container ship. His weakness are far too exposed at 13. Can't see Isiah Punivai offering strong midfield impact either, while Ennor is even lighter than Havili at just 92 kg.
I wonder if Macca Springer could shuffle into 12 after Havili goes & inevitably chases the Yen? He's a solid, powerful unit at 1.9 and 100kg, similar to the mould of Riley Higgens, and he's currently just 19, so has a fair amount of growing still to come.
A bit of hyper-bowl in that post.
Our backline of Mo’unga, Bridge, Havili, Fainga’anuku, Reece, Jordan was pretty effective. It got better when Goodhue came back and we went with Mo’unga, Fainga’anuku, Havili, Goodhue, Reece, Jordan.
Let’s not forget that Fainga’anuku just turned 23yo last week, so is still a pup. He’s a talented player plus he’s got the work ethic so I’m not too concerned about him.
With Ennor covering midfield and wing, I think we are looking okay.
As for Nanai, it will be interesting how Razor will use him. He’s a ball playing back so we could see him closer to the action if some of the ABs are being rested during next years super season.
The only thing that worries me about Nanai is all the injuries
Torn hamstring surgery 2019
ACL surgery 2022
Both while playing at Worcester
Then he signed for BOP for the 2022 NPC and was injured again and didn’t play. -
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@Asterik6 said in Crusaders 2023:
@gt12 said in Crusaders 2023:
I'll bet my house that Ennor isn't 92 kgs**
(** I don't have a house)
Crusaders site has Ennor at 92kg, Havili 95kg.
Use the eye test. To me he looks about the same size as Ioane. Plus I'm around 92 usually and he would fucking monster me.
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@Asterik6 said in Crusaders 2023:
@gt12 said in Crusaders 2023:
I'll bet my house that Ennor isn't 92 kgs**
(** I don't have a house)
Crusaders site has Ennor at 92kg, Havili 95kg.
Team sites are notoriously inaccurate/outdated on weight.
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@Bones I look at this video from a couple of months ago and him running training drills and he looks bigger than mid 90 kgs.
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@ACT-Crusader Must be one of those white guys who is "light" boned.
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@ACT-Crusader Yeah, he always looks rather large on those videos.
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It looks like we have signed
P Patafilo as a MF option to replace I Punivai or D McLeod
and the players in bold type to replace the bracketed players.
M Springer /- G Bridge
M Nanai /K Naholo
N Hotham / B Hall
C Lio-Willie / P Matera
G Bell/S Klein3rd HB
3rd First Five
7th LF still not determined wether
TTT,S Hickey and S Havilli have been resigned, or replaced.
