Crusaders 2016 and 2017
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="599942" data-time="1469406326">
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<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>
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<p>he's an amazing athlete and was one of the worlds top wingers in the past.</p>
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<p>If he hasn't lost pace then I'm pretty excitied about what he can bring, certainly more than some wingers we've signed in the last few years.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="600016" data-time="1469414398">
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<p>Did they get the wrong Ioane? Hoping for Akira or Rieko got Digby ...</p>
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<p>Wait till you see Razor's trifecta.</p>
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<p>Toddy had his Whitelocks - Razor's collecting a different set! :)</p> -
<p>Hmmm not sure it is a good signing of true. He wasn't that great when he left Aust and i doubt he has improved much playing in France and Japan since. Not to mention he isn't NZ eligible. </p>
<p>My main memory of him is Kaino picking him up and carrying him backwards in the 2011 RWC Semi final.</p>
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<p>I know I said they were probably past it recently in another thread but the Crusaders could do worse than signing Tamati Ellison and Alby Mathewson. At least they are Kiwis.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="600025" data-time="1469415944"><p>I know I said they were probably past it recently in another thread but the Crusaders could do worse than signing Tamati Ellison and Alby Mathewson. At least they are Kiwis.</p></blockquote><br>And they've both been playing well in Super Rugby. Alby could play a faster style than Andy did, with the benefit of still having an experienced mentor for Drummond etc. while Ellison and Crotty wouldn't be a shit centre pairing at all.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="600025" data-time="1469415944">
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<p>He wasn't that great when he left Aust and i doubt he has improved much playing in France and Japan since. Not to mention he isn't NZ eligible. </p>
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<p> Played pretty well in 2012 as I recall, one of the Aussie standouts in super rugby.</p>
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<p>2013 was starting winger for the wallabies before getting injured too. So he's a shit load better than bloke like Tuitivaki who we've tried in the past.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="600029" data-time="1469416725">
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<p> Played pretty well in 2012 as I recall, one of the Aussie standouts in super rugby.</p>
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<p>2013 was starting winger for the wallabies before getting injured too. So he's a shit load better than bloke like Tuitivaki who we've tried in the past.</p>
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<p>I remember him being more than decent, his try celebration skills are something else although it's doubtful they'll be embraced in stoic, dour saders country though.....</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="600033" data-time="1469417359">
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<p>I remember him being more than decent, his try celebration skills are something else although it's doubtful they'll be embraced in stoic, dour saders country though.....</p>
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<p>[media]
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<p>the celebrations probably influenced Robertsons decision :)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="600029" data-time="1469416725"><p>
Played pretty well in 2012 as I recall, one of the Aussie standouts in super rugby.<br><br>
2013 was starting winger for the wallabies before getting injured too. So he's a shit load better than bloke like Tuitivaki who we've tried in the past.</p></blockquote>
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Maybe his injury problems have clouded my memory of his form. Just seemed he faded away and then was gone. Still don't know if someone who was good 4-5years ago the playing in france/japan is a great long term solution. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="600050" data-time="1469420827">
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<p>Maybe his injury problems have clouded my memory of his form. Just seemed he faded away and then was gone. Still don't know if someone who was good 4-5years ago the playing in france/japan is a great long term solution.</p>
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<p>I'd say he'd be a favourite to take out the bench press challenge at the Saders at the very least.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="600050" data-time="1469420827">
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<p>Maybe his injury problems have clouded my memory of his form. Just seemed he faded away and then was gone. Still don't know if someone who was good 4-5years ago the playing in france/japan is a great long term solution.</p>
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<p>I doubt he's considered a long term option.</p> -
<p>How does he get to be signed? Who the fuck allows this signing?</p>
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<p>I admit that developing Pacific island talent is an obligation, so I'm happy with the odd ineligible Fijian etc. </p>
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<p>However, this makes no sense for NZ rugby, so who's paying his contract? Only the Saders, the fine, fuck em, but better bloody not be the NZRFU!</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="600058" data-time="1469421873">
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<p>How does he get to be signed? Who the fuck allows this signing?</p>
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<p>I admit that developing Pacific island talent is an obligation, so I'm happy with the odd ineligible Fijian etc. </p>
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<p>However, this makes no sense for NZ rugby, so who's paying his contract? Only the Saders, the fine, fuck em, but better bloody not be the NZRFU!</p>
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<p>Whats the difference between him and Michael Leitch, yamashita, Alaalatoa?</p> -
<p>Don't the NZRU stipulate that the franchise must prove there isn't a better available player in that position before allowing an international to be signed to a NZ squad? I'd imagine that was a pretty easy argument for the Crusaders to make to the NZRU currently.</p>
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<p>We might know more after the NPC but right now there ain't a lot of Super Rugby hardened wingers running around uncontracted in New Zealand.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="600060" data-time="1469422235">
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<p>Don't the NZRU stipulate that the franchise must prove there isn't a better available player in that position before allowing an international to be signed to a NZ squad?<strong> I'd imagine that was a pretty easy argument for the Crusaders to make to the NZRU currently.</strong></p>
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<p>We might know more after the NPC but right now there ain't a lot of Super Rugby hardened wingers running around uncontracted in New Zealand.</p>
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<p>Geeeez makes Ralph and Hamilton look pretty good huh ? who'd have thunk it.....</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="600062" data-time="1469422489">
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<p>Geeeez makes Ralph and Hamilton look pretty good huh ? who'd have thunk it.....</p>
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<p>I'd take both of those 2 over Macalai, Tuitivaki and McNiccol.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="600064" data-time="1469422624">
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<p>I'd take both of those 2 over Macalai, Tuitivaki and McNiccol.</p>
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<p>My point exactly brother. It might all start "up front" but when donkeys like those two look good in hindsight somethings rotten in Crusaderland.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="600059" data-time="1469421934">
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<p>Whats the difference between him and Michael<strong> Leitch, yamashita</strong>, Alaalatoa?</p>
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<p>I assume it's because he's from a tier one team while the others are tier two (as is Nadolo because the Aussies couldn't figure out how to make him work). And maybe Alaatoa is considered a Samoan by the NZR until such time as he dons a Wallabies jumper?</p> -
<p>I know it's your favourite drum to bang, but Caleb Ralph was a good super winger. You don't score that many tries by standing around feeling your nuts. He probably deserved his AB cap too, just not as many as he got (but i can understand how he kept getting picked). </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="600059" data-time="1469421934">
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<p>Whats the difference between him and<strong> (1) Michael Leitch, (2) yamashita, (3) Alaalatoa?</strong></p>
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<p>1) Although I love him, I didn't think he should have been signed and he shouldn't be re-signed - he should go to the SWs who need him more. Also, as JP is a second tier team, my above argument probably also stands as Nepia has pointed out.</p>
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<p>2) I dislike him, and he shouldn't have been signed - particularly since tighthead is area of weakness for NZ right now and limiting Super spots doesn't help the development.</p>
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<p>3) My understanding is that he hasn't been Aussie capped, TF it aligns with my above theory abot helping support Pacific islands. If he were Oz capped, I'd want him on his ass out the door.</p>
