Crusaders vs Canes

MN5

All this just reinforces the fact the Canes have probably never had a truly World Class forward of McCaw/Read/Whitelock/Woodcock/Mealamu/Kaino like quality.......( although a few come very close )
 
.....and yet the fans constantly wank on about how it's such a travesty they've never won a title.

jegga

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="598116" data-time="1468916783">
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I was always a big Kupu Vanisi fan. He formed a pretty formidable trio with Rodders and JC.
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Agree, he was a superb openside. I was pretty surprised they didn't give him a shot in the abs in 2001 and went for Taine Randell at openside.

jegga

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="598122" data-time="1468917878">
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Herring was a fine super rugby flanker too.
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He was a step down from Vanisi though, I think they signed purely because he happened to catch Richie on a rare off day and got the better of him in an npc game . Kupu changed his mind and wanted to sign on for another season and they said no because they'd signed Herring .

taniwharugby

Herring had some outstanding games for the canes, IIRC was very good v the Lions in 2005...I was never that taken by Vanisi TBH

Donsteppa

People raising Vanisi when Jerry Collins and Rodders played in the Canes loose forwards? I must be missing something.

Smudge

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="598080" data-time="1468911592">
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I'm just astounded to read Caners actually played. I didn't pick that at all. 
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It would be a waste of his strapping 6'2 frame if he hadn't.

taniwharugby

I must be the shortest Ferner :scratch:
 
I was 6ft, with 18mm studs and my hair spiked up!

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="598081" data-time="1468911963">
Who is currently the greatest Canes forward?</blockquote>
 
Kevin Yates

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="598090" data-time="1468912657">
With all due respect to some bloody honest campaigners the bar isn't set particularly high. JC deserves a mention. Bull Allen, Norm Hewitt and Filo Tiatia were pretty inspirational for awhile but there's not many others that make ya gasp in awe. 
Loads more options in the backs though.</blockquote>
 
Bull Allen ....

pukunui

Maybe we need a height thread to go along with the age one. 
Rodders, Hore and JC would be my selection in the 'greatest' debate. Slim pickings though.

hydro11

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="598124" data-time="1468918025">
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All this just reinforces the fact the Canes have probably never had a truly World Class forward of McCaw/Read/Whitelock/Woodcock/Mealamu/Kaino like quality.......( although a few come very close )
 
.....and yet the fans constantly Do a Willis on about how it's such a travesty they've never won a title.
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</blockquote>
Do we? We are annoyed we haven't won a title because, you know, we support the team so we want them to win titles. It's bloody embarrassing that we are the least successful franchise in the country based on that measure. Last year we should have won it but came up short in the final. I think most of us thought we achieved highly during the Colin Cooper years and didn't deserve to do much better with our okay forward pack and lack of a world class 10.

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="598124" data-time="1468918025">
<div>
All this just reinforces the fact the Canes have probably never had a truly World Class forward of McCaw/Read/Whitelock/Woodcock/Mealamu/Kaino like quality.......( although a few come very close )
 
.....and yet the fans constantly Do a Willis on about how it's such a travesty they've never won a title.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Rodney Soioalo, Dane Coles and Jerry Collins would probably be the best forwards to wear a Canes jersey. We've always had the flashy backs and probably some of the best backs to ever play Super Rugby in Cullen, Umaga, Lomu, Nonu, Smith, H Gear, Milner Skudder, Barrett, J Savea, C Jane - the list goes on. 
 
When you look at this years squad the quality of our forwards i.e Goodes, Coles, Fatialofa, Broadhurst, A Savea, Shields, Fifita, Vito, Thomson probably have it over the backs which probably says something.
 
If only the quality of our forwards matched that of our backs in years gone by. Too bad it all starts up front.
 
Onwards and upwards though!!

Frye

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="598080" data-time="1468911592">
I'm just astounded to read Caners actually played. I didn't pick that at all.</blockquote>
 
Especially when he doesn't know the forward/back makeup in a 10s team. Scrum should really give it away...

dingo

Had a few good hookers (Norm Hewitt, Coles, Hore spring to mind) and loosies but in general journeyman level props and locks. 
When a bestest ever 23 might include Jason Eaton and Phil Coffin, you know you've had some average forwards.

dingo

A fun game might be to name your crapiest starting 15 who've played 20+games. 
Some jump out at me straight away. 
1 - Tama Tuirirangi 
2 - Joe Ward 
3 - Tim Fairbrother 
4 - Dion Waller 
5 - Luke Andrews 
6 - Campbell Feather 
7 - Martin Leslie 
8 
9 - Chris Smylie 
10 - Jimmy Gopperth 
11 
12 - Riki Flukey 
13 
14 - David Smith 
15

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="dingo" data-cid="598185" data-time="1468931159">
<div>
A fun game might be to name your crapiest starting 15 who've played 20+games. 
Some jump out at me straight away. 
1 - Tama Tuirirangi 
2 - Joe Ward 
3 - Tim Fairbrother 
4 - Dion Waller 
5 - Luke Andrews 
6 - Campbell Feather 
7 - Martin Leslie 
8 
9 - Chris Smylie 
10 - Jimmy Gopperth 
11 
12 - Riki Flukey 
13 
14 - David Smith 
15
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</blockquote>
Mark Reddish was a long term Cane and you picked Waller?
 
I think Chris Eaton played for the Canes as well - so you're 0-2 at 4 and 9.
 
As for the greatest forwards, I'm surprised that Hore is rated so lowly ... the Hammatteur's marketing team appear to have done a good job on his reputation.

cgrant

Deon Waller was not that bad. There might be other locks to name : Kennedy, Paterson ?
Props : Joe McDonnell, mobile but weak scrummager.

Bovidae

A pity that Cavubati only played 19 games.
 
I don't even remember the no.8 Karl Williams.

dingo

Mark Reddish was such a non entity I'd forgotton him. Mind you, the ref wouldn't notice him either unlike Waller who likely will be carded.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="dingo" data-cid="598185" data-time="1468931159">
<div>
A fun game might be to name your crapiest starting 15 who've played 20+games. 
Some jump out at me straight away. 
1 - Tama Tuirirangi 
2 - Joe Ward 
3 - Tim Fairbrother 
4 - Dion Waller 
5 - Luke Andrews 
6 - Campbell Feather 
7 - Martin Leslie 
8 
9 - Chris Smylie 
10 - Jimmy Gopperth 
11 
12 - Riki Flukey 
13 
14 - David Smith 
15
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</blockquote>
No way does Martin "Twitchy" Leslie belong in this team, he was sensational in 97 leading up to the semi finals.
 
In fact a few of these guys are pretty damn good for such crap players to be honest. I don't think an AB ( albeit a brief one ) deserves one of the locking spots.

The Silver Fern

Crusaders vs Canes