Super Rugby 2024
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@Canes4life would be disappointing to see the Landers trending towards the wooden spoon.. a good young core with 2021 NZ 20s Sean Withy, Fabian Holland, Luca inch, Nathan Hastie, Jacob kneepkens? last yrs NZ 20s Cam Millar, Hayden Michaels, Jake Te Hiwi & Oliver Haig + the key cogs De Groot, Ainsley, Harmon, Nareki & Fakatava makes me keen to see how badly these young guys want it? they surely can't do worse than Journeymen mitch hunt, makalio & Fetuli paea🙂
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@FakatavaABXV said in Super Rugby 2024:
@Canes4life would be disappointing to see the Landers trending towards the wooden spoon.. a good young core with 2021 NZ 20s Sean Withy, Fabian Holland, Luca inch, Nathan Hastie, Jacob kneepkens? last yrs NZ 20s Cam Millar, Hayden Michaels, Jake Te Hiwi & Oliver Haig + the key cogs De Groot, Ainsley, Harmon, Nareki & Fakatava makes me keen to see how badly these young guys want it? they surely can't do worse than Journeymen mitch hunt, makalio & Fetuli paea🙂
I continue to say this. The Highlanders can't really get worse. Like realistically, the only major loss is Smith, and he only played 7 games this year anyway... and it isn't like Fakatava is a mug. Frizell was rubbish this year, so hardly a loss, and MMT was a bench player. Dickson again, barely played so can't really get worse.
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Because people seemed to be interested in it last time, here is an updated version of the 2024 squads breakdown. There are quite a few notable changes with new rumours/clues suggesting player movement.
CHANGES:
PROPS:
Tevita Mafileo to the Highlanders - Personally can't see it happening, but on the Canes thread it was claimed he was heading South. Blues rumour is probably more likely.
George Bower Staying at the Crusaders - Reliable source Chris, so you'd think this to be true. Sykes-Martin now listed in new notable line
Pouri Rakete-Stones Staying at the Hurricanes - This was Reported in the Canes Thread
Ayden Johnstone & Solomone Tukuafu to the Chiefs - Neither of these are rumoured, though would make fair sense.
James Lay to Stay with Blues - Wasn't listed as leaving in the video so presumably staying.HOOKERS:
Kurt Eklund to Stay with Blues - Wasn't listed as leaving in the video so presumably staying. Moananu not listed in Notables, though could be targeted by the Landers/Moana Pasifika.LOCKS:
Max Hicks Shifted Out of Lock to the Blindside - Seems to be where the Highlanders are looking to play him
Mitch Dunshea to Stay with Crusaders - Had him to the Canes as a pure guess, but the thought is he is staying
Dom Bird to Stay with the Canes - Seems likely that he would actually stay, as he has already been overseas + has younger kids.
Fiti Sa Shifted to Lock - Had him as an eight, but certainly more a lock. Chiefs are now all full up there, but have a gap in the loose.
James Tucker added to Notables - Presumably going offshore, but there is a school of thought that he might want to link up with his brother at the Highlanders, and to add to that, the Landers supposedly only looking for one lock. Keep an eye on that oneHalfbacks:
Louie Chapman to the Crusaders - I think Chris is suggesting they're looking for a halfback. Chapman as a local guy would seemingly make heaps of sense.
Cam Roigard to the Chiefs - The big bombshell as claimed by George (so I think?), Roigard to leave the Canes. If this is true, the Chiefs is surely the destination with the gap left by Weber. Crusaders an option, but seemingly far-fetched.
TJ Perenara to stay with the Canes - Canes fans seem to think he will stay (?) Might want another stab with the Canes for 24' with the carrot of the captaincy in Ardie's absence.
Willi Heinz to Notables - If Perenara leaves, Heinz might be an attractive option for the Canes, or as a third option for the Blues... though Nock wasn't listed as leaving was he by the Blues, so perhaps he should be their third halfback.First Fives:
Lucas Cashmore to the Blues - Informed he is in their system. Seems a fairly likely deal to occur.
Rivez Reihana to the Notables - Won't be at the Blues if Cashmore is there. Career at a crossroads, seems bizarre he hasn't had more opportunities.
Few extra details here, Lima Sopoaga is 'on the market' though the inclination seems to be he is heading to Tokyo. If not, massively short odds to join either the Canes or Highlanders. Fair chance the Landers & Saders will definitely recruit from offshore, which puts Reihana in a difficult spot.MIDFIELDERS:
Peter Umaga-Jensen to the Highlanders - Had him to the Blues as that was the earlier rumour, but Chris claimed Highlanders... would certainly make sense and has been rumoured for about the last three years.
Thomas Umaga-Jensen to Stay with the Highlanders - Rumour was he was/is leaving, but if PUJ is coming, would be bizarre if TUJ was leaving, because that is presumably the big lure for PUJ. Some fishy Instagram activity also suggested they are linking up.
Sam Gilbert to the Midfield - Could certainly, and may primarily be used at fullback if injuries stay away, but have him listed here on the basis of another rumour.
Corey Evans to Stay with the Blues - Looks like the Landers are full up + was corrected that he was staying, seemingly confirmed by the video
Tanielu Tele'a to Stay with the Blues - Another not said to be leaving in the Blues departure video, so likely to stay.OUTSIDE BACKS:
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens to the Highlanders - The other big rumour of the week, the suggestion that JRK to the Highlanders is a done deal. He is confirmed to be leaving, so it is whether he goes Saders or Landers, but the latter seems the more likely
Liam Coombes-Fabling to the Highlanders - There was a suggestion in the Landers thread of this one. Would seem a little odd, though, Roger Clark's comments suggested everything outside of a singular 10 was done in the backline, which strengthens this rumour.
Shaun Stevenson to Stay with the Chiefs - I'm really unsure on this, because I still think he may depart. No suggestions either way, suspect this could be the next big news item either way.
Jock McKenzie to the Blues - Has been with them in the past and is a sharp youngster. Might be more of a 10 option, but certainly a tidy fullback option. The last spot in the outsides will go to a power winger... Heremaia Murray on a one year deal?Think that wraps it up, again, if any of this is wrong please let me know so I can update it for the next update.
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@Stargazer said in Super Rugby 2024:
@frugby Stacey Ili hasn't re-signed with the Rebels, yet. Not sure which NZ franchise is still looking for a good midfielder, but he might be an option. Had a great season.
I'll add him to the notables list... though off the top of my head, MP would the most likely destination as an Aumua replacement.
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@frugby I would take out Morrison as a potential lock for the Hurricanes and swap him for Hugo Plummer. After debuting this year for the Canes and after putting on the kgs, I think Plummer is primed to pick up a contract next year, especially if Blackwell moves on.
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@Canes4life Morrison is already in the Hurricanes frame via his NDC contract (2nd year). Although, I don't expect him to be signed by the Canes for 2024, stranger things have happened. There's no reason to remove him.
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@Canes4life said in Super Rugby 2024:
@frugby I would take out Morrison as a potential lock for the Hurricanes and swap him for Hugo Plummer. After debuting this year for the Canes and after putting on the kgs, I think Plummer is primed to pick up a contract next year, especially if Blackwell moves on.
Even if Blackwell doesn't move on we need another tall (1.98) bigger lock. Then Delany can focus on 6. Hopefully Plummer gets enough game time in the NPC to see if he's good enough.
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@Stargazer said in Super Rugby 2024:
@Canes4life Morrison is already in the Hurricanes frame via his NDC contract (2nd year). Although, I don't expect him to be signed by the Canes for 2024, stranger things have happened. There's no reason to remove him.
Is he injured or not good enough to make the u20 starting side. If not good enough he won't get a canes contract for 2024. Whereas Plummer has already played for the Canes so might if there is a lock required. So if frugby is including a guess Plummer would be a better one. Or leave it blank
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@Stargazer isn’t that a list for guys we expect to see signed for 2024? If you don’t think he will be signed next year then he shouldn’t be on the list. NDC contract or not.
There is also Anthony Pettett who’s back playing rugby after a two year layoff. He came through the Wellington system the same time as Naitoa Ah Koui and Taine Plumtree before falling out of love with the game. He’s since returned bigger and stronger, and at 2.01m he could be another big lock the Canes should be looking at. He’s in the Ranfurly Shield squad so it will be interesting to see if he’ll get much game time.
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Noted. I'll probably change the majority of guesses to blanks next time. Mostly to give an idea of what sort of player the franchises will probably be targeting.
My guess would be, where rumours don't already exist, those signed will either be academy players, NPC players, or a wildcard from overseas.
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https://www.theroar.com.au/2023/06/27/super-rugby-can-be-fixed-heres-how/
I believe that Super Rugby should become a free movement area for anyone that plays in the competition, without impacting eligibility for a country. This way, young prospects can still develop in their country and older more established players can move around a bit more. A few years ago, James O’Conner was linked with the Chiefs and Jordie Barrett enticed the idea of playing in Australia. I also believe that more All-Black players would rather sign for Australian sides instead of moving overseas, for the economic and lifestyle benefits. Some Aussies might even move to New Zealand to learn from their systems and world class coaches. Aussie teams get to sign world class players and New Zealand rugby can depose some of their All Blacks from their books, creating more opportunities for their never-ending pipeline of talent coming through. It’s a win-win situation for both unions. I do believe that the two pacific sides do however need to be treated differently. Their purpose has always been to develop players for the pacific nations. If you allow the free movement of all players in the competition, what prevents them from signing Aussies and Kiwis at the expense of pacific talent? The limit on the amount of foreign talent that they might sign should still be implemented, together with a new rule that they get exclusive signing rights on players developed in the pacific. The movement of talent will improve all the teams’ prospects in the competition while also allowing for the development of players in different systems.
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@kiwi_expat If you quote an article, it would be helpful if you actually show it as a quote. The easiest way to use the " button or by typing a > before you paste the copied text. (This doesn't work in "quick reply").
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@kiwi_expat I would sooner NZ sort out the NZ teams first. As one team always winning indicates an issue that needs to be addressed. This issue is as bad as weak Aussie teams.
Otherwise the weaker teams like the highlanders will just be weakened even more. With next level players moving to aust. For example PUJ may as well play in aust if he can still make the ABs. It would also piss me off if canes abs moved to aust. One adv when they make the ABs is the extra money paid to them by NZR. This can keep them in NZ. That adv would disappear.
