Hurricanes 2020
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Posting this here (& not knowing where else to post it), because it all started with me noticing one of the Thompson twins on one of the few photos of the Hurricanes preseason (or at least, someone looking like them). I assumed it was hooker Tyrone Thompson training with the squad during Dane Coles' ABs break.
I just found out that his twin Leo was invited to train with the Canberra Raiders during their pre-Christmas preseason (as an U20s player; he had already been named in the Jersey Flegg Training Squad). And next I found this:
RAIDERS GURU'S LATEST COUP Raiders recruitment guru Peter Mulholland has done it again, snaring one of the best centre prospects in New Zealand. Leo Thompson, a strongly-built centre from Wellington Hurricanes and Napier Boys High School, has been so impressive in the pre-season that he has been elevated to the Canberra full-time squad. The rah-rahs aren't happy at losing the 19-year-old - they had him pencilled in as a future Super Rugby and possibly All Black rep.It may be an explanation for why he was missing in the group of players invited to attend the NZ U20s camps; or it might be the result of it.
Great opportunity for the lad, but another very promising talent from NZ rugby ending up in NRL (poached or not). A situation reminiscent of the Etene Nanai-Seturo signing by the Warriors. I hope it's temporary and that Leo Thompson will return to NZ rugby at some stage.
I really think NZR/Hurricanes/Wellington have failed somehow. He isn't just an unknown talent that had been missed by the rugby talent spotters; he was already in the Hurricanes frame.
Let's hope the Canes (or another SR squad) do everything to keep Tyrone in rugby.
@Stargazer said in Hurricanes 2020:
I really think NZR/Hurricanes/Wellington have failed somehow. He isn't just an unknown talent that had been missed by the rugby talent spotters; he was already in the Hurricanes frame.
How have they failed? They can't keep everyone in their ranks. They already have Umaga-Jensen, Toala, Laumape, Proctor, Aso, Barrett, Goosen and Lowe in their squad that can all play in the midfield. I believe Keinan Higgins has trained with the squad and frankly he looks like a much better prospect than Leo Thomson anyway. Just a case of having too much talent in one area.
Re Tyrone, I think the Hurricanes will probably be developing him with an eye towards him taking Dane Coles's spot when he moves on. Aumua will obviosuly become the incumbent, but a one-two punch of him and Thompson will be fairly effective in the future. It also depends on what Riccitelli does aswell.
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@Stargazer His way in at the Hurricanes appears to be blocked by the five year contract handed to Billy Proctor.
@Higgins and the fact that we are already stacked with midfield options. No room for Leo I'm afraid.
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@Stargazer said in Hurricanes 2020:
I really think NZR/Hurricanes/Wellington have failed somehow. He isn't just an unknown talent that had been missed by the rugby talent spotters; he was already in the Hurricanes frame.
How have they failed? They can't keep everyone in their ranks. They already have Umaga-Jensen, Toala, Laumape, Proctor, Aso, Barrett, Goosen and Lowe in their squad that can all play in the midfield. I believe Keinan Higgins has trained with the squad and frankly he looks like a much better prospect than Leo Thomson anyway. Just a case of having too much talent in one area.
Re Tyrone, I think the Hurricanes will probably be developing him with an eye towards him taking Dane Coles's spot when he moves on. Aumua will obviosuly become the incumbent, but a one-two punch of him and Thompson will be fairly effective in the future. It also depends on what Riccitelli does aswell.
@Canes4life Agree that the Canes are stacked in the midfield, but players will leave. What you say about Tyrone Thompson possibly being developed to take Coles' spot (eventually, after the 2021 season), the same reasoning could be applied to his twin brother being developed for when one of the midfielders leave. Peter U-J and Jonah Lowe could both be gone after the 2020 season. Jordie might move to another franchise after the 2020 season. I expect Laumape to leave after the 2021 season (esp if he doesn't get regular game time for the ABs, which isn't a given).
Having seen both of them play, I also disagree that Kienan Higgins looks a better prospect than Leo Thompson, esp if a team is looking for a more physically imposing player.
Anyway, it doesn't matter anymore. As I said, hopefully, Leo Thompson will come back to (NZ) rugby one day. After all, we don't know whether he'll succeed in league (or wants to stay in league) and for how long he has been signed by the Raiders. I haven't even seen the signing confirmed by the Raiders, yet. There may be spots available at other SR franchises next season (e.g., Highlanders midfielder Rob Thompson, if he decides to earn some coin overseas; he's already 28; or the other Umaga-Jensen, Thomas, might not be re-signed as he's always injured).
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@Canes4life Agree that the Canes are stacked in the midfield, but players will leave. What you say about Tyrone Thompson possibly being developed to take Coles' spot (eventually, after the 2021 season), the same reasoning could be applied to his twin brother being developed for when one of the midfielders leave. Peter U-J and Jonah Lowe could both be gone after the 2020 season. Jordie might move to another franchise after the 2020 season. I expect Laumape to leave after the 2021 season (esp if he doesn't get regular game time for the ABs, which isn't a given).
Having seen both of them play, I also disagree that Kienan Higgins looks a better prospect than Leo Thompson, esp if a team is looking for a more physically imposing player.
Anyway, it doesn't matter anymore. As I said, hopefully, Leo Thompson will come back to (NZ) rugby one day. After all, we don't know whether he'll succeed in league (or wants to stay in league) and for how long he has been signed by the Raiders. I haven't even seen the signing confirmed by the Raiders, yet. There may be spots available at other SR franchises next season (e.g., Highlanders midfielder Rob Thompson, if he decides to earn some coin overseas; he's already 28; or the other Umaga-Jensen, Thomas, might not be re-signed as he's always injured).
@Stargazer Sport is a funny thing at times and maybe we will see Leo, I just think there are too many midfield options in the Hurricanes for him to get a chance.
Re Tyrone my feeling is that DC's seasons are numbered, also Riccitelli may look offshore and cash in on a better contract elsewhere in the next few years. Tyrone might aswell bide his time as I don't think he will get any other chances elsewhere, especially this young. Who knows though, the Blues might look to poach him considering their hooking stocks are crap.
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https://twitter.com/1NewsSportNZ/status/1215080508981313536
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Because the Hurricanes don't need a good first five to replace BB. Oh wait ...
@Stargazer said in Hurricanes 2020:
https://twitter.com/1NewsSportNZ/status/1215080508981313536
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Because the Hurricanes don't need a good first five to replace BB. Oh wait ...
If Cruden comes back a bit shit, or breaks down for a decent wedge of the season (both distinct possibilities) then they made the right move. It's a risk for the Chiefs. A risk worth taking IMO, but a risk none the less
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@Stargazer said in Hurricanes 2020:
https://twitter.com/1NewsSportNZ/status/1215080508981313536
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Because the Hurricanes don't need a good first five to replace BB. Oh wait ...
If Cruden comes back a bit shit, or breaks down for a decent wedge of the season (both distinct possibilities) then they made the right move. It's a risk for the Chiefs. A risk worth taking IMO, but a risk none the less
@mariner4life Yeah, true, but even if that happens, he can still be useful in a mentoring role, because the Chiefs have promising rookies. The Canes don't even have that. My biggest concern about the Canes' first five recruitment (or lack thereof) is that they may be considering to try luring Sopoaga back to NZ next season, who has been playing so well the last few years. :man_facepalming_medium_skin_tone:
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@mariner4life Yeah, true, but even if that happens, he can still be useful in a mentoring role, because the Chiefs have promising rookies. The Canes don't even have that. My biggest concern about the Canes' first five recruitment (or lack thereof) is that they may be considering to try luring Sopoaga back to NZ next season, who has been playing so well the last few years. :man_facepalming_medium_skin_tone:
@Stargazer I can't even remember off the top of my head who the Canes 10s are? Isn't one of the Marshalls one of them? :man_facepalming_medium-dark_skin_tone:
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@Stargazer I can't even remember off the top of my head who the Canes 10s are? Isn't one of the Marshalls one of them? :man_facepalming_medium-dark_skin_tone:
@Nepia The best of them is James Marshall, then there's a reasonably inexperienced Fletcher Smith, and then there's JGB, who is well below SR level.
Edited to add that the Canes coaches have said that they're not seeing a first five role for Jordie. Now that Plum has gone, who knows, that may change.
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@Nepia The best of them is James Marshall, then there's a reasonably inexperienced Fletcher Smith, and then there's JGB, who is well below SR level.
Edited to add that the Canes coaches have said that they're not seeing a first five role for Jordie. Now that Plum has gone, who knows, that may change.
@Stargazer said in Hurricanes 2020:
@Nepia The best of them is James Marshall, then there's a reasonably inexperienced Fletcher Smith, and then there's JGB, who is well below SR level.
Edited to add that the Canes coaches have said that they're not seeing a first five role for Jordie. Now that Plum has gone, who knows, that may change.
Jesus, (hometown bias warning alert for you blokes who care about that) but how the fuck did McClutchie not get into the Canes amongst that motley bunch?
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@Stargazer I can't even remember off the top of my head who the Canes 10s are? Isn't one of the Marshalls one of them? :man_facepalming_medium-dark_skin_tone:
@Nepia said in Hurricanes 2020:
@Stargazer I can't even remember off the top of my head who the Canes 10s are? Isn't one of the Marshalls one of them? :man_facepalming_medium-dark_skin_tone:
As an entire country we aren't that great at developing them. The Blues haven't had a decent one since Carlos. The Chiefs have had to go back to Cruden. The Cane's haven't had a good one since the solid Holwell.
The South Island franchises doing the heavy lifting. Mehrts. Dan (sigh). Tony Brown. Sopoaga. Stephen Brett...
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@Nepia said in Hurricanes 2020:
@Stargazer I can't even remember off the top of my head who the Canes 10s are? Isn't one of the Marshalls one of them? :man_facepalming_medium-dark_skin_tone:
As an entire country we aren't that great at developing them. The Blues haven't had a decent one since Carlos. The Chiefs have had to go back to Cruden. The Cane's haven't had a good one since the solid Holwell.
The South Island franchises doing the heavy lifting. Mehrts. Dan (sigh). Tony Brown. Sopoaga. Stephen Brett...
@mariner4life said in Hurricanes 2020:
@Nepia said in Hurricanes 2020:
@Stargazer I can't even remember off the top of my head who the Canes 10s are? Isn't one of the Marshalls one of them? :man_facepalming_medium-dark_skin_tone:
As an entire country we aren't that great at developing them. The Blues haven't had a decent one since Carlos. The Chiefs have had to go back to Cruden. The Cane's haven't had a good one since the solid Holwell.
The South Island franchises doing the heavy lifting. Mehrts. Dan (sigh). Tony Brown. Sopoaga. Stephen Brett...
What do we call this bait? Beaudiebait?
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@Nepia said in Hurricanes 2020:
@Stargazer I can't even remember off the top of my head who the Canes 10s are? Isn't one of the Marshalls one of them? :man_facepalming_medium-dark_skin_tone:
As an entire country we aren't that great at developing them. The Blues haven't had a decent one since Carlos. The Chiefs have had to go back to Cruden. The Cane's haven't had a good one since the solid Holwell.
The South Island franchises doing the heavy lifting. Mehrts. Dan (sigh). Tony Brown. Sopoaga. Stephen Brett...
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Gopperth!
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@ploughboy said in Hurricanes 2020:
sir stephen donald
The Chosen One was before Cruden. And we went back to him as well.
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@mariner4life Justice for Evans and Anscombe!
@Tim said in Hurricanes 2020:
@mariner4life Justice for Evans and Anscombe!
One is a Pom, one's Welsh.
@Stockcar86 said in Hurricanes 2020:
Gopperth!
pfft hahahaha
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@Tim said in Hurricanes 2020:
@mariner4life Justice for Evans and Anscombe!
One is a Pom, one's Welsh.
@Stockcar86 said in Hurricanes 2020:
Gopperth!
pfft hahahaha
