Crusaders 2016 and 2017
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="599777" data-time="1469341745">
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<p>You're not even going to back Ta$man boy Mitchell Hunt?</p>
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<p>Forgot about him to be honest - he can be one of Razor's good ideas - the cupboard never sounds overstocked there! :)</p>
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<p>Mitchell Dunshea is floating around as a potential loose forward option as well (so is Princep, but he hasn't convinced me)..</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="599743" data-time="1469335604">
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<p>The crusaders would do well to try and pick up one of the Canes many midfielders/utilities. Someone like Proctor or <strong>Halaholo</strong> (who i hoped they woukd sign a few years back when he was good for Southland).</p>
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<p>Halaholo has signed a 3-year deal with the Cardiff Blues and leaves after playing for Waikato in the NPC.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="599776" data-time="1469341617">
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<p>Front row - we need to find a better tighthead than Alaalatoa - preferably two. I'd cut one of Funnell or Robinson and try to identify a big, dynamic young up and comer to develop.</p>
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<p>Alaalatoa has just been re-signed for two more years. So stuck with him until the end of 2018 season</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="599781" data-time="1469342332">
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<p>How long did the Chiefs sign Sanders for?</p>
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<p>Not sure, but he'd be better off staying up there getting regular gametime.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="599750" data-time="1469336348">
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<p>Here's a short list of players who may be free/not yet re-signed (my info is obviously not complete and may not be entirely up-to-date either):</p>
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<div>Barrett, Beauden (Hurricanes)</div>
<div>Boys, Tim (Crusaders)</div>
<div>Brown, Jed (Crusaders)</div>
<div>Ellison, Tamati (Rebels)</div>
<div>Evans, Gareth (Highlanders)</div>
<div>Fruean, Robbie (Crusaders)</div>
<div>Goodes, Reggie (Hurricanes)</div>
<div>Graham, Mitchell (Chiefs)</div>
<div>Guildford, Zac (Waratahs)</div>
<div>Havili, David (Crusaders)</div>
<div>Horrell, Andrew (Chiefs)</div>
<div>Mathewson, Alby (Force)</div>
<div>McKenzie, Marty (Crusaders)</div>
<div>Mo’unga, Richie (Crusaders)</div>
<div>Perry, Tim (Crusaders)</div>
<div>Ranger, Rene (Blues)</div>
<div>Romano, Luke (Crusaders)</div>
<div>Shields, Brad (Hurricanes)</div>
<div>Tamanivalu, Seta (Chiefs)</div>
<div>Taylor, Codie (Crusaders)</div>
<div>Toomaga-Allen, Jeffrey (Hurricanes)</div>
<div>Volavola, Ben (Crusaders)</div>
<div>Wheeler, Joey (Highlanders)</div>
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<p>Well if that's accurate, we need to ensure we retain Mo'unga, Romano and Taylor (the future skipper, for mine). Ranger or Tamanivalu at centre would compliment Crotty perfectly in an ideal world. But I really don't envisage too much inter-franchise movement on that list.</p> -
<p>This is where I hope we get to for 2017:</p>
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<p>Hookers - Taylor and Funnell, A.N Other. Taylor is obviously quality, and I can see him leading the side sooner rather than later, taking some pressure off Read. Funnell has fallen way behind Taylor but is still useful. We just need another youngster.</p>
<p>Props - Franks, Moody and Crockett will between them get the job done, and Ala'alatoa and Perry are servicable if retained. Otherwise, this is an area where we typically are able to bring through good local talent, or Paranihi from the NZ U20s.</p>
<p>Locks - Handy group in Whitelock, Romano and Barrett, but could do with another tall. The Canterbury youngsters in the U20s of late though - Dunshea, Dalzell and Tucker (with the Chiefs anyway) - are all around 1.96/1.97m so in short (hehe) we need Bird back.</p>
<p>Loose forwards - Again in Read, Todd and Taufua we have a high quality starting trio. I'm not at all excited by Boys and Samu but not bothered by the departure of Tupou as we'll have Prinsep back next year to add balance as a taller blindside option to Taufua, and back up at 8.</p>
<p>Halfback - Seems a bit of negativity around about Hall, but I've always liked him, and he adds leadership to partially replace Ellis' experience as well. Drummond is average. I'd consider Stratton over Fukofuka.</p>
<p>First-five- thank fuck Mo'unga settled in so quickly and easily this year, as Blackadder had done next to nothing to aid this transition. Absolutely a case of good luck rather than good management. But he needs a back-up. Hunt maybe? Volavola and McKenzie aren't Super quality.</p>
<p>Midfield - Crotty is our rock and a highly admirable player. But there's not a lot of flair there. Hopefully Barrett and Goodhue convince quickly in the M10 Cup and become options inside or outside of Crotty, respectively. A fit Freuan could be in that mix also with Havili'i the utility.</p>
<p>Wingers - The cupboard is nearly bare here. Macilai appears a certainty with McNicholl and Nadolo departing. I don't have any faith in Fifita. Havili'i and Goodhue could fill gaps but ideally we need good young specialists. </p>
<p>Fullback - The value of a motivated Dagg is clear. But he needs a back-up and I'm sick of seeing five-eighths (Taylor, Havili'i, Volavola and to a lesser degree Sladfe) used there and would rather a wing/fullback was selected. Maybe Makene also from the U20s.</p> -
<p>The Crusaders need to capitalise on that forward pack before it's too late. A collection of players the calibre of Franks, Moody, Crockett, Whitelock, Romano and Read won't happen again soon, particularly without the guarantee of success enticing players <strike>south</strike>.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="shark" data-cid="599844" data-time="1469354503">
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<p>This is where I hope we get to for 2017:</p>
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<p>I'm not at all excited by Boys and Samu but not bothered by the departure of Tupou as we'll have Prinsep back next year to add balance as a taller blindside option to Taufua, and back up at 8.</p>
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<p>Halfback - Seems a bit of negativity around about Hall, but I've always liked him, and he adds leadership to partially replace Ellis' experience as well. Drummond is average. I'd consider Stratton over Fukofuka.</p>
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<p>First-five- thank fuck Mo'unga settled in so quickly and easily this year, as Blackadder had done next to nothing to aid this transition. Absolutely a case of good luck rather than good management. </p>
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<p>Wingers - The cupboard is nearly bare here. Macilai appears a certainty with McNicholl and Nadolo departing. I don't have any faith in Fifita. Havili'i and Goodhue could fill gaps but ideally we need good young specialists. </p>
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<p>Samu can play, but he's like a lightweight Taufua - I don't think he's what we need in a blindside. Prinsep doesn't seem to offer much dynamism to me - Luke Whitelock 8.1 (and I have written nothing good about 8.1). I'm hoping Dunshea is a better replacement for Tupou.</p>
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<p>Actually, I think Toddy's done a good job with Mo'unga. Vastly better than the musical chairs JK (and several other past coaches) played with his first fives.</p>
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<p>Why don't you like Fifita? He's raw, but a 105kg winger who can run fast. Sounds like just what the doctor ordered.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="wildman" data-cid="599913" data-time="1469402604">
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<p>Digby Ioane is the first piece of the puzzle apparently</p>
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<p>If he's the same player he was before his injuries he'll be handy.</p> -
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rugby-union/digby-ione-heads-to-crusaders-for-super-rugby-return/news-story/1e7a7edfb8910faa79934cc5b1f77619'>http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rugby-union/digby-ione-heads-to-crusaders-for-super-rugby-return/news-story/1e7a7edfb8910faa79934cc5b1f77619</a></p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="599918" data-time="1469402890">
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<p>Source?</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rugby-union/digby-ione-heads-to-crusaders-for-super-rugby-return/news-story/1e7a7edfb8910faa79934cc5b1f77619'>http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rugby-union/digby-ione-heads-to-crusaders-for-super-rugby-return/news-story/1e7a7edfb8910faa79934cc5b1f77619</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="599920" data-time="1469403001">
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rugby-union/digby-ione-heads-to-crusaders-for-super-rugby-return/news-story/1e7a7edfb8910faa79934cc5b1f77619'>http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rugby-union/digby-ione-heads-to-crusaders-for-super-rugby-return/news-story/1e7a7edfb8910faa79934cc5b1f77619</a></p>
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<p>Can you copy and paste that article, please. It's subscriber-only.</p> -
<p>The only reason for hiring a 31 year old player after a stint in France & Japan is that they hope to benefit from his experience. Playing in those competitions doesn't make a player better. Apparently, he's injury prone.</p>
<p>I'm not thrilled. Seriously, couldn't they find anyone better?</p>
