Crusaders 2020
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@Stargazer said in Crusaders 2020:
And maybe it has already been posted, Sam Moli is there, too.
Sam Moli is a useful pick-up. He struggled with his throwing for the Mako, but was impressive around the park. Good speed in the Coles/Taylor mould.
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@Stargazer C’mon mate we all not were not allowed to have locks over 2m at the Canes it doesn’t fit in with Plumtree’s mantra of picking mini locks
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@mikey07 said in Crusaders 2020:
@Stargazer C’mon mate we all not were not allowed to have locks over 2m at the Canes it doesn’t fit in with Plumtree’s mantra of picking mini locks
TBF his mantra is a giant South African 7 ft tall lock, but he plays the mini lock when the Saffa breaks before playing.
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Who is Sam moli came in for
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@Jonty-lean It doesn't have to be an (injury) replacement. He can just be there for preseason. There are several players at all 5 NZ franchises just training with their squad for preseason. They could be injury replacements later in the season though. Also, I assume Codie Taylor is still on leave, like many ABs who played at the RWC.
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Crusaders version
Super Rugby Teams of the Decade: The frighteningly stacked Crusaders XV from the last 10 years
Our Super Rugby Teams of the Decade series moves to Christchurch as we profile the best players to have played for the back-to-back-to-back reigning champion Crusaders since 2010.
Weak at nine, I guess, otherwise a powerhouse
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@Ruggy Pretty fair assessment.
I don't think the Crusaders will have many problems in the backs - Crotty is the only enormous loss and David Havili can readily cover second-five - or, we can push Goodhue into 12 and use Ennor and/or Paea (watch him as a wildcard) at centre. Of course, if Mo'unga (the trump card) gets injured we are doomed.
The backrow has a big challenge, but I think the front row is at least an equal worry - there is not a lot of experience (or proven Super rugby quality) behind Moody and Alaalatoa.
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We now know Robertson is staying,Blackadder is injured.
The starting 15 may look a little different
Havalli May start in tandem with Harmon
Or we see Barrett/ Dushea starting at 6 With Strange to move into lock.
David Havalli May get time at 12 in combination with Goodhue and Ennor when Goodhue has down time giving Jordan a decent run at Fullback.
For me props underneath the starting pair, Loose Forwards a couple need to really stand up
And of course A extended lose of Mounga will hurt.
I don’t see us winning this season but a development year I agree with that.
Good assessment but I don’t think the Blues are going to top the NZ conference even with Barrett that’s going to take more time.
There is a lot of still unresolved issues at the Blues . -
@Chris Yeah - I missed that ending bit of the Blues winning the NZ conference - even with Leon's brilliance that might be a bit beyond them - especially since Beaudy is skipping a decent part of the season.
I think it will be a battle between the Chiefs and the Crusaders - dependent on whether Razor can get a significantly less experienced forward pack to fire and what Gatland can do with the Chiefs.
Don't see Scott Barrett starting anywhere but lock. Strange and Romano (or Dunshea) aren't going to command that he shift. I wouldn't mind seeing Dunshea playing blindside or 8 - he was very good there vs The B&I Lions a couple of years ago.
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I worry about the balance of our pack. Under Robertson we've generally had a good ball runner or two in the starting pack, and one coming off the bench. This has complemented our generally strong set piece.
With Pete Samu leaving at the end of 2018, and Jordan Taufua , Kieran Read and Matt Todd leaving at the end of this year, we are going to miss their ability with ball in hand. Billy Harmon, Ethan Blackadder (injured) and Tom Sanders simply don't provide that balance in attack as ball-runners. Whetu Douglas suddenly becomes very valuable as a ball running option, but he will need some help.
Luke Romano's running game has improved with age so he could play a role. What's Sione Havili like with ball in hand?
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@Cantab79 said in Crusaders 2020:
I worry about the balance of our pack. Under Robertson we've generally had a good ball runner or two in the starting pack, and one coming off the bench. This has complemented our generally strong set piece.
With Pete Samu leaving at the end of 2018, and Jordan Taufua , Kieran Read and Matt Todd leaving at the end of this year, we are going to miss their ability with ball in hand. Billy Harmon, Ethan Blackadder (injured) and Tom Sanders simply don't provide that balance in attack as ball-runners. Whetu Douglas suddenly becomes very valuable as a ball running option, but he will need some help.
Luke Romano's running game has improved with age so he could play a role. What's Sione Havili like with ball in hand?
Havalli is ok with the ball in hand Ethan Roots as well.I think a move for Barrett or Dunshea to 6 may help with a ball in hand option.
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@Chris-B said in Crusaders 2020:
@Chris Maybe - but, with Sam and Brodie not playing Super rugby - Scott Barrett will basically be NZ's premier lock in Super rugby.
I just don't see him playing at 6 being a good option.
Will have to wait and see just something I heard out of the camp as an option being considered
I suppose it will depend on how the other 6s get through the pre season games
Geoff Cridge a lock has been added To the training squad as cover for Blackadder a LF which may point to their thinking. -
I'd normally be very much opposed to Scott Barrett playing at 6. But it could work for the Crusaders in 2020. Our backrow stocks are so depleted that there isn't anyone who can legitimately lay claim to the no.6 jersey. Ethan Blackadder has been around the squad for a while but is injured, and poor Tom Sanders has hardly set Super Rugby alight thus far during his injury plagued career.
Given we have reasonable depth at lock, with Romano, Dunshea and Strange all quality players at this level, it might just be that getting our best XV on the field means switching Barrett to 6. Other positives include it being potentially easier to captain the team from the side of the scrum than in the engine room, Scott Barrett being a decent ball runner which would balance our backrow and the fact that he's generally been a better lifter than target at lineout time.
Anyway, it's all food for thought. We have more experience and quality at lock than any other position and moving Barrett to blindside might just sure up what will be an extremely green backrow.
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@Cantab79 I'd like to see Dunshea tried in the backrow, before we resort to shifting Barrett.
Aside from anything else - Barrett is the future of our locking stocks, with Romano and Sammy W. getting older, so I'm not convinced using him to block the development of our future loose forwards is a great idea. I think we need to bite the bullet and give Sanders and Blackadder their shots.
