Crusaders: What can I say, the Crusaders jaggarnaut keeps rolling and it's difficult to see when it will stop. Another title, but I haven't given them an A+ due to that one loss against the Hurricanes. With a player drain unlikely for next year the Crusaders will once again be the team to beat when 2021 rolls around.
Season rank: A
Forward of the year: Codie Taylor
Back of the year: Richie Mo'unga
Most improved player: Will Jordan

Blues: The Blues are back. Not the perfect season by any stretch but it's a massive improvement on years gone by so I have given the Aucklanders an A- . The foundation is there to kick on and become a team that will consistently contend for the title, especially if they keep enticing players into Auckland rather than out of it.
Season rank: A-
Forward of the year: Hoskins Sotutu
Back of the year: Caleb Clarke
Most improved player: Akira Ioane

Hurricanes: I have given the Canes a B for Super Rugby Aotearoa. They wouldn't have been happy with how they started and finished the tournament, however a sweet run of five victories including a Kiwi grand slam shows there is plenty of firepower in this side to be a force moving forward. A couple of good off-season signings and they should be there or there abouts once again next year.
Season rank: B
Forward of the year: Scott Scrafton
Back of the year: Jordie Barrett
Most improved player: Peter Umaga Jensen

Highlanders: I have also given the Highlanders a B grade considering how they've responded from that massive player drain in 2019. They have played some enterprising footy this year and are starting to grow crucial combinations in key areas. Like the Hurricanes and Blues they have a good core group of young players that will help set the standard for success moving forward.
Season rank: B
Forward of the year: Marino Mikaele Tu'u
Back of the year: Aaron Smith
Most improved player: Pari Pari Parkinson

Chiefs: The Chiefs have tried hard all year but their skill execution and inability to finish off chances cost them dearly in what was a brutal competition. I'm confident they will get back into the groove in 2021 but it may take a few hard truths within their environment before they get that chance.
Season rank: D
Forward of the year: Lachlan Boshier
Back of the year: Solomon Alaimalo (debate away)
Most improved player: Naitoa Ah Koui

@kiwi_expat we as fans observe players in the heat of the battle, the place where they are tested to their limits. If the Canes coaches are selecting players purely on good training habits and leadership ability alone then I’m afraid they’ve failed already. Player X still has to perform on game day.

I’m not sure if you’ve actually watched the Canes over the last two seasons because it’s blatantly obvious that James Blackwell falls well short on the paddock (excuse the pun). If you’re happy with a 1.90m lock, who gets man handled in almost every carry, who drops about half the passes that come his way, and just looks like an ordinary NPC player at best, then good on you.

Fans, including myself sometimes get it wrong but on this occasion (other Canes fans would agree) the best players aren’t starting for the Canes atm. Flanders is blatantly better than Prinsep, IWL is blatantly better than Blackwell and it was super obvious at the start of the season (until Holland finally woke up) that Rayasi should have been there earlier aswell. The coaches have to take some accountability as to why they are 1 and 3 because the players that are apparently superb at training, aren’t cutting it where it matters - that’s where the issue is.

Also if you don’t like fans having an opinion or questioning selections, I don’t think the Fern is the right place for you.

22 years of waiting. Blackwell, Kirifi, Bird, Numia the unsung heroes of this team.

Sheck deserves a Hurricanes contract, he’s stepped up time and time again.

Commiserations Cantabs.

Man I am happy.

Lol what has Ennor done to keep getting selected in this side?

Classic Dagg pre game analysis talking about how Salesi Rayasi is going to be a massive danger on attack tonight - obviously Dagg didn’t do his research, Rayasi’s not even in the 23.

My two cents on the game and where do I start.

Well how can you not go past Laumape's try after gassing Beaudy and running over Otere at the line. Fair play to Beauden hitting right back with an impressive surge under the posts.

The Hurricanes were quite dominant in the early stages of the game but they struggled to finish their chances through line breaks from Laumape and Peter Umaga Jensen, who I might add had his best game in a Hurricanes jersey. The Hurricanes had the advantage at scrum time which allowed them to get well over the advantage line on attack, again though they will be a tad grumpy for not executing. A positive for the Canes is that they showed calmness under pressure in those final 10 minutes that will give them plenty of confidence heading down to Christchurch next week.

From a player perspective the three standouts for me were Ngani Laumape, Jordie Barrett and Peter Umaga Jensen. Ngani Laumape, well his performance speaks for itself and if you haven't seen his brilliant interview post game, check it out here - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2805567983004746. Jordie Barrett was exceptional and rose to the occasion against his older brother when it really mattered. He caught everything kicked his way aswell which would have pleased the All Black coaches. Lastly, Peter Umaga Jensen took his chance, he ran with purpose and intent all night, constantly looking dangerous. Broke through the heart of the Blues defence early with a hard and direct line, in what was a common sight all night.

From a Blues perspective they showed plenty of grit and determination to halt that Canes early onslaught which is promising for such a young group. A sign of a good team is one that stays in the fight without really firing too many shots and that's what the Blues did last night. They took all their chances when they came and nearly pulled off a win that looked highly unlikely after the first 20 minutes.

From a player point of view I was really impressed with Kurt Eklund, he continues to grow his game and will push for the top Blues hooking spot moving forward, and deservedly so. Dalton Papali'i was my next pick of the Blues bunch, he was everywhere on defence, making something like 18 tackles which was massive on a night like this. Mark Telea's stocks also continue to rise, every time he got the ball it took about two or three guys to put him down. With a bit more coaching on his defence and technique under the high ball he could very well push for higher honours soon.

Game Highlights:

Post match presser:

Let’s keep Jordie at Fullback now please. He’s been superb tonight.

The Ferns try last night straight after halftime will surely win try of the year. That was something else.

OMG I watched this with my pregnant wife last night and she was horrified at the birthing scene. Far out, I think I have scarred her slightly and we are only 1 month away from having our first born. YIKES.

Full on episode, I thoroughly enjoyed it nevertheless.

Just spent the last week out on the course watching these boats up close and personal. The higher wind pressure on the first day of sailing made for great viewing, just a shame the lighter winds over the last few days have prevented these boats from hitting their straps.

Just being out on the course with the masses was an experience in itself. Everyone having a great time partying, drinking, swimming - a real festival atmosphere.

Only downside was the couple of arrogant dicks who decided that it would be a great idea to turn up last minute and park up in front of everyone else. Most of them were heckled until they moved which was rather hilarious.

All in all, I would highly recommend the A Cup to anyone that hasn’t been out yet. Let’s just hope we get stronger winds so we can wrap this thing up.

@SBW1 said in Hurricanes 2023:

@Canes4life Heard he is returning to NZ at the conclusion of the French Top 14 season. Lions appear to have an impressive squad going into this year's NPC.

And a good young coach in T Ellison to boot.

@foobaNZ said in Wellington Lions 2023:

@Canes4life Shields, Lakai & Kirifi back row with Delany and Plumtree in reserve is very stacked for NPC.

I would actually bring Shields off the bench, atleast to start the season. Those players that won the title last year probably deserve those starting positions first. I'm happy for Shields to earn his way back in by playing good rugby. But yeah, looking pretty heathly in that department for NPC standards.

From the below article it looks like Shields is planning to play for Wellington this year, currently in negotiation.

Shields is due back in New Zealand following the conclusion of the French Top 14 season in June and said his intention was to play NPC with Wellington. He is currently in talks with his former province.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/131619394/wasps-dire-financial-situation-leads-brad-shields-home-to-hurricanes

More context on the Shields situation.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/131619394/wasps-dire-financial-situation-leads-brad-shields-home-to-hurricanes

I don’t think Shields will come straight back in and be captain. It’s a hard one because Saturday showed Blackwell and Kirifi not being in the park is a good thing. The Canes make less mistakes and are more disciplined when those two are not there, therefore I wouldn’t want either of them being captain.

Maybe someone like Devan Flanders could be a good option. He seems like a good young leader and captaincy could bring out the best in him.

@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes 2023:

Honestly confused by those anti this signing. He's 31 ffs.

We have a very young group of loosies, and one absolutely plodder. Swapping the plodder for Shields is a great move (I assume that's what will happen).

Not sure how easy it is to find but would be good to know which of our loosies are off contract end of this season.

I know right, only because he's from Wellington aye. You wouldn't be getting this push back if Shields was from Hawkes Bay.

The likes of @Higgins are trolling at this point.

@Higgins said in Hurricanes 2023:

@foobaNZ

Remembering the Hurricanes class of 2016

As part of our continued celebrations of 25 years of Investec Super Rugby, we look back at the first Hurricanes team to lift a title in 2016.

He might have been an almost "ever present" in the winning season but looking through the team there were plenty of players that might have had slightly more input into winning the championship than he did.

It's called a team sport, yes there may have been more influential players i.e. Barrett, but Shields was a massive part of our defense and brought that steel required to get the Canes over the line.

Maybe embrace the fact we are getting an experienced player back in the environment instead of poking holes in every little detail.

We need as much experience as possible considering we are losing Coles and Ardie next year.

@SBW1 said in Hurricanes 2023:

@Canes4life Not too dissimilar to the Crusaders getting Will Heinz another Kiwi at the backend of his career who represented England.

Brad being 31 is a little different to Heinz who is 35.

If Brad was coming back at 35 I would be against it, but the signing only has upside to me due to his experience and the fact he knows what it takes to win a title.

They've also only signed him for 2024 so if he comes back and doesn't perform then the Canes have the option of moving on.

Brad Shields signs for 2024:

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300840332/hurricanes-confirm-signing-of-former-captain-brad-shields-for-2024

I'm going to throw Billy Proctor into the mixer, he has been rock solid for the Canes to kick-off 2023, continuing his form from the NPC. With plenty of uncertainty around our midfield for the World-Cup, Proctor wouldn't be a bad option with the way he's playing.