It's Hammerlander time
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<p><img src="http://static.fjcdn.com/pictures/Halt_e28cb7_279158.jpg" alt="Halt_e28cb7_279158.jpg"></p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="canefan" data-cid="584027" data-time="1464589677">
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<p>Maybe so, but Ma'a left the NZ as <strong>one of the best AB 13s ever</strong> with two RWC winner's medals in his collection. </p>
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<p>No he didn't.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="584089" data-time="1464601909"><p><a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/10268601/Hammett-was-popular-in-dressing-room-Smith">http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/10268601/Hammett-was-popular-in-dressing-room-Smith</a><br><br>
Extraordinary comments from Conrad! :)</p></blockquote>
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Much better to be respected than loved as a coach. Wayne Smith was almost certainly the most loved AB head coach in recent times.<br><br>
Ideally Hammer coaches an Australian or South African franchise in Super Rugby - or continues with the wolves - and gets an extended opportunity to prove he has figured some things out.<br><br>
The fact no SA or Aus franchises have chased him down while battlers like Mitchell got multiple opportunities speaks to the reputation he has carved out currently. -
I don't know what the issue was with Nonu and I don't care. It could be he needed a kick up the arse, it could be they just didn't get along. I'm not going to just Hammet on that. I judge him on his record at the Canes which was pretty pathetic.<br><br>
It would be one thing if they lost but played some good rugby or if they were whipping boys like the Sunwolves. But they played shit rugby and had the players to make the semis at least once during his reign. <br><br>
There can be no complaints about a meddling board or not having enough power. For whatever reason he was handed Pharaoh like powers and did everything the Hammer way. Well the Hammer way was shit and so were the Canes.<br><br>
I was not surprised in the least that he lasted only 6 months in Cardiff. <br><br>
It also doesn't appear as if Crusader fans are particularly keen on having the prodigal son return. I wonder why? -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MajorRage" data-cid="584038" data-time="1464591436">
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<p>At the top level, his talent and commitment was unquestioned. But at super level, <strong>at one point nobody wanted to offer him a contract. </strong> Only a last minute deal at the Blues kept him in NZ.</p>
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<p>The fact that nobody was running up to be the first to sign him isn't Hammet's fault. It shows something else.</p>
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<p>No idea, honestly. But I do remember Hammett having the full support of the board when he made his decisons.</p>
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<p>this is a myth - The blues still wanted him when he left for the highlanders - recall all the hoopla about a handshake deal and we feel betrayed coming from JK . Then he spent a year at the highlanders and decided Dunedin wasn't his thing and told tem he was moving on. They were quite happy for him to stay but understood why he wanted to leave.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gary" data-cid="584127" data-time="1464615581">
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<p>this is a myth - The blues still wanted him when he left for the highlanders - recall all the hoopla about a handshake deal and we feel betrayed coming from JK . Then he spent a year at the highlanders and decided Dunedin wasn't his thing and told tem he was moving on. They were quite happy for him to stay but understood why he wanted to leave.</p>
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<p>I also seriously doubt if he absolutely had to he would have been welcomed to the Crusaders. Even if Nonu was as bad off the field at Super level as what MR and others suggest with McCaw, Read and Carter there I reckon they absolutely would have gone in to bat for him and handled whatever issues the same way they are in the AB environment - similar to Ali Williams.</p>
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<p>Given the embarrassment of riches at the time and to prevent the perception of preferential treatment from the NZRU they laid low on Nonu.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="canefan" data-cid="584105" data-time="1464605604"><p>Rugby is a results game, so I wouldn't have Hammett anywhere near a super rugby head coaching gig. And the same goes for Fozzie, heaven help us the day he ever gets a go at the head coach ABs job or tries to go back to super rugby</p></blockquote><br>
Fozzie is taking over Byrnes kicking duties in the ABs...woulda thought Fox woulda been the logical option? -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="584146" data-time="1464634802">
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<p>Fozzie is taking over Byrnes kicking duties in the ABs...woulda thought Fox woulda been the logical option?</p>
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<p>Foster said he and Fox would be sharing the role previously performed by Byrne. I'm not sure Fox is with the team 100% of the time either.</p> -
<p>Mark Hammett - the 2010's John Mitchell</p>
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<p>It's John Key's fault!</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stockcar86" data-cid="584208" data-time="1464652386">
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<p>Mark Hammett - the 2010's John Mitchell</p>
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<p>pffft yea, like Hammer could ever win the Bledisloe back</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="584213" data-time="1464653485">
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<p>pffft yea, like Hammer could ever win the Bledisloe back</p>
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<p>I have a feeling he holds the record for longest ever TSF thread though</p> -
<p>It might just be that Hammer is best suited to higher management roles as a change agent. Certainly the reports are the culture at the Canes is more professional.</p>
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<p>Joe Schmidt is expected to announce after the tour to SA that he is stepping down from Ireland head coach to return to NZ at the end of his contract (i.e the 2017 6Ns). A number of Irish papers are running with an interview with the IRFU DoR/High Performance Director today in which he says the IRFu would love Schmidt to stay through the 2019 RWC but that Schmidt has particular family circumstance (a son has very bad epilepsy) and that the IRFU is prepared if Schmidt announces his decision to leave at the end of his contract. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.the42.ie/irfu-joe-schmidt-back-up-plan-2797743-Jun2016/'>http://www.the42.ie/irfu-joe-schmidt-back-up-plan-2797743-Jun2016/</a></p>
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<p>Vern Cotter's contract also runs to the end of 2017, I think.</p>
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<p>If Rennie departs for Europe, would Schmidt be a strong candidate for them or has Kieran Keane the inside track for that role?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Brian9848" data-cid="584584" data-time="1464790683">
<div>If Rennie departs for Europe, would Schmidt be a strong candidate for them or has Kieran Keane the inside track for that role?</div>
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<p>I think Keane will take over from Rennie.</p>
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<p>Speaking of Ireland, Isaac Boss is back in the Waikato and will be playing NPC rugby this season. He is now 36 yrs old but I suppose with TKB having AB commitments and Weber going back to HB, we've lost a fair bit of experience. Boss is on the bench for Monday's Ranfurly Shield defence vs Thames Valley.</p>
