Crusaders 2020
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@Steven-Harris said in Crusaders 2020:
@Chris-B Crusaders approached him..lot will depend where his rehab and fitness is..could amount to nought..has a real cult following which safer supporters will enjoy .let’s see how it pans out..heard that Tim Bateman has or will be pulling the pin, so that could have been in the Saders thinking ..you have Amua from Ta$man..but I am not sure if Super Rugby is his ceiling..I am picking the Saders have 3 definite midfield options ,Goodhue,Ennor and Haviili who can slot in,you pick a younger player,maybe a Dallas McLeod..and a Ranger replaces a Bateman..
Probably a good back up for Ennor as a centre he won’t be a wing option.As Matale is back again for 20/20 There is not a lot around to pick from in the MF who are not contracted.
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I'm sure Christie would have been signed as one of potentially three openside flankers in the 38. Harmon has been outstanding this season, but he's a midget so it'd be nice to have the option of a bigger 7. Christie is marginally bigger, but not markedly.
Personally, I'd love to see James Lentjes come back to Christchurch.
As far as the possible Ranger signing goes, in isolation yes I like it as have always rated him. But I don't see the need for a 13 in this squad unless they plan to use Goodhue at 12 (blerk) and want a more experienced option to Ennor.
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@shark Lentjes? Apart from a very average player, I think he's also too old. He turns 29 in January. They should look at the future. Sione Havili looks a good prospect and at 21, still plenty of potential to develop.
Even Dillon Hunt would be a better signing than Lentjes IMO.
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@shark said in Crusaders 2020:
As far as the possible Ranger signing goes, in isolation yes I like it as have always rated him. But I don't see the need for a 13 in this squad unless they plan to use Goodhue at 12 (blerk) and want a more experienced option to Ennor.
Back up I would think in case Goodhue gets injured or rested or the Ennor/Goodhue pairing doesn’t work.
If Goodhue can cover 2nd Five It makes sense having another centre
We don’t need anymore wingers Matale will be back add him to Bridge,Reece,Leicester,Jordan and Ennor could all play there. -
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Lentjes was close to making the All Blacks EOYT two years ago when Hunt made it. This year for the Highlanders Lentjes was the better player. They're pretty similar in ability.
If he were available I'd like to think Lentjes might come back to Chch to play, but sounds like it's a moot point anyway.
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So, according to Wikipedia transfers we need to replace all of:
Owen Franks
Ben Funnell
Sam Whitelock (temporarily)
Jordan Taufua
Matt Todd
Kieran Read
Mitch Hunt
Ryan Crotty
Ngane Punivai
Israel Daggplus I read an interview with Tim Bateman that specifically said he was finished with the Crusaders.
Also, apparently not yet re-signed (Stargazer might know better than Wiki about these guys):
Harry Allan
Tim Perry
Luke Romano
Tom Sanders
Brett Cameron
Manasa MataeleWorth looking at as replacements from Ta$man (IMO) - and available as far as I know:
Sam Moli (hooker - despite yesterday's lineout throwing)
Isaac Salmon (tighthead prop)
Sione Havili (openside flanker) (actually Jake Norris has looked OK as well, but Sione clearly ahead)
Fetuli Paea (centre - maybe, given the potential dearth of other options); Rupena Parkinson another option - presently injured
Tima Faingaanuku (wing - ahead of Jamie Spowart)
Tim O'Malley could play first five, but I hope they've got a different plan. -
@Chris-B The list on Wikipedia is correct.
Harry Allan: the duration of his contract was never published, so it's unclear whether he is still under contract, or not. No news about him re-signing.
Tim Perry: His contract is expiring this year. I haven't seen an official announcement of him re-signing.
Luke Romano: in an interview a few months ago he said that he was close to re-signing, but nothing has been announced. I assume he'll be back, but it still needs to be confirmed.
Tom Sanders: same as Tim Perry. Due to no fault of his own, he's been a bad investment for the Crusaders. He's played 4 games (143 minutes) in 2018 and 4 games (137 minutes) in 2019. Is he worth re-signing? I have my doubts.
Brett Cameron: same as Tim Perry.
Manasa Mataele: same as Tim Perry.
Of your list of Ta$man players, I do rate Sione Havili. Tima Fainga'anuku probably won't get signed, because the Crusaders are already stacked in the outside backs. Signing a second-five makes more sense. Nankivell would have been a good one, but he still has one year to go with the Chiefs. O'Malley is good enough for Ta$man, but not sure he's the answer for the vacant 10 spot at the Crusaders. Neither is Cameron, of course. I think this is the Crusaders' worst problem; no adequate back-up for Mo'unga, unless they can convert David Havili into a 10.
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@Chris-B said in Crusaders 2020:
So, according to Wikipedia transfers we need to replace all of:
Owen Franks
Ben Funnell
Sam Whitelock (temporarily)
Jordan Taufua
Matt Todd
Kieran Read
Mitch Hunt
Ryan Crotty
Ngane Punivai
Israel Daggplus I read an interview with Tim Bateman that specifically said he was finished with the Crusaders.
Also, apparently not yet re-signed (Stargazer might know better than Wiki about these guys):
Harry Allan
Tim Perry
Luke Romano
Tom Sanders
Brett Cameron
Manasa MataeleWorth looking at as replacements from Ta$man (IMO) - and available as far as I know:
Sam Moli (hooker - despite yesterday's lineout throwing)
Isaac Salmon (tighthead prop)
Sione Havili (openside flanker) (actually Jake Norris has looked OK as well, but Sione clearly ahead)
Fetuli Paea (centre - maybe, given the potential dearth of other options); Rupena Parkinson another option - presently injured
Tima Faingaanuku (wing - ahead of Jamie Spowart)
Tim O'Malley could play first five, but I hope they've got a different plan.Matale And Romano have resigned not announced as yet
I think George Bower as well
Crusaders are keen on A Fijian under 20 flanker
Not sure how far that has advanced -
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@Stargazer said in Crusaders 2020:
@Chris said in Crusaders 2020:
Crusaders are keen on A Fijian under 20 flanker
Not sure how far that has advancedPreferred position? 6, 7 or 8?
Do you know his name?Not sure on name openside I heard but the Fijian LFS are big enough to play 6 or 7
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@Stargazer Thanks for the updates/confirmations.
I sort of agree about the outside backs, but on the other hand both Punavai and Israel Dagg are gone from last year, so it makes sense they would sign at least one new outside back- as well as Mataele.
Agree completely about first five. I'm hoping/expecting that Razor has a cunning plan at first five that entails someone from offshore. I can't see anyone much in NZ.
@Chris - good news about Romano especially. And Bower - I'm not convinced by Ollie Jager. I'd imagine they'll want to keep at least one of Perry or Allan.
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@Stargazer Ratu Meli was the name I heard
List of 2019–20 Super Rugby transfers - Wikipedia