Super Rugby News

Billy Tell

Preference 1: give Naholo an extended run at 14
Preference 2: Barrett at 15, Smith to 14
Preference 3: Dagg miraculously finds form, or give McKenzie a shot
 
Not a Ranger fan. Not top class AB material, and don't think he ever will be. Bench at best.

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="564940" data-time="1458101094">
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Moala played on the right wing vs Samoa. 
 
I don't rate Osborne that highly myself.
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Agree. Very over-rated imo.

Billy Tell

Remind me, who exactly is over-rating Osborne??

Unite

So is he gone for the year or just Super season, the couple of articles say the Super season? 
Could he be back for RC or EOYT?

ACT Crusader

I would say Osbourne has exceeded many expectations. Not highly rated in Canterbury for some time. Got picked up by the Landers and worked his butt off to get in shape and has played some very good footy. 
Got rewarded by the AB selectors by being brought into the squad.

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unite" data-cid="564988" data-time="1458118542">
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So is he gone for the year or just Super season, the couple of articles say the Super season? 
Could he be back for RC or EOYT?
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On the TV news they were saying until September (~ 6 months).
 
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="564992" data-time="1458118946">
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I would say Osbourne has exceeded many expectations. Not highly rated in Canterbury for some time. Got picked up by the Landers and worked his butt off to get in shape and has played some very good footy. 
Got rewarded by the AB selectors by being brought into the squad.
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Osborne played for the Chiefs in 2013 before signing for the Highlanders. He played OK with limited opportunities.
 
My concerns at international level would be his defence, mainly positional play, and Osborne can be dodgy under the high ball. 
 
Lastly, if Cory Jane tears it up for the Canes I wouldn't be surprised to see him back in black.

Milk

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="564992" data-time="1458118946">
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Got rewarded by the AB selectors by being brought into the squad.
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Perhaps Hansen hadn't heard that Osbourne enjoys eating fish and chips at the beach.

leytonandamanda

NZ Rugby reportedly in 'secret talks' to sign Kiwi league prospect Nelson Asofa-Solomona 
One of rugby league's brightest prospects, Kiwi forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona, could be on his way to the Hurricanes after reportedly holding "secret talks" with New Zealand Rugby. 
Brisbane's Courier-Mail claims the towering Melbourne Storm sensation is considering a switch to the 15-man game as he looks to fulfil his dream of playing for the All Blacks. 
At 201cm and 122kg, Wellington-born Asofa-Solomona is one of the biggest players in the NRL and was earmarked as a star of the future after playing 10 games for the Storm last season. 
But after exploring the possibility of a code switch during last month's Auckland Nines, the Courier-Mail have reported that his family have since hired a Wellington-based lawyer to oversee negotiations with the Hurricanes. 
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ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="565002" data-time="1458123940">On the TV news they were saying until September (~ 6 months). 
Osborne played for the Chiefs in 2013 before signing for the Highlanders. He played OK with limited opportunities. 
My concerns at international level would be his defence, mainly positional play, and Osborne can be dodgy under the high ball. 
Lastly, if Cory Jane tears it up for the Canes I wouldn't be surprised to see him back in black.</blockquote>
 
Even though he was in the Saders squad in 2012 there were concerns whether he could make the step up to Super rugby. From what I heard that was the case when he was at the Chiefs. He was given some opportunity there due in large part to injuries. 
He's had a couple of very good ITM seasons since and obviously a real break out year for him last Super campaign. 
I think his defence is much improved. He moves a lot better laterally and seems to read the game well. High ball is still a concern but to me most of these seem to be about poor timing on the jump rather than "Toeava-hands"

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Milk" data-cid="565025" data-time="1458137164">Perhaps Hansen hadn't heard that Osbourne enjoys eating fish and chips at the beach.</blockquote>
 
I'd be surprised, everyone knows that.....

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="565143" data-time="1458180478">
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Even though he was in the Saders squad in 2012 there were concerns whether he could make the step up to Super rugby. From what I heard that was the case when he was at the Chiefs. He was given some opportunity there due in large part to injuries. 
He's had a couple of very good ITM seasons since and obviously a real break out year for him last Super campaign. 
I think his defence is much improved. He moves a lot better laterally and seems to read the game well. High ball is still a concern but to me most of these seem to be about poor timing on the jump rather than "Toeava-hands" :)
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He was fucking awesome at club level in Christchurch for a number of seasons. Seen him win games on his own for what was often a pretty average university team.
 
Never got an extended run with the Crusaders because Toddy didn't like his attitude apparently. 
 
He definitely looks fitter since he got to the Highlanders, perhaps realised that it was his last chance.

Dice

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="565002" data-time="1458123940">
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On the TV news they were saying until September (~ 6 months).
 
 
 
Osborne played for the Chiefs in 2013 before signing for the Highlanders. He played OK with limited opportunities.
 
My concerns at international level would be his defence, mainly positional play, and Osborne can be dodgy under the high ball. 
 
Lastly, if Cory Jane tears it up for the Canes I wouldn't be surprised to see him back in black.
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I'd be super surprised if Jane gets close to tearing it up. He wasn't that great last year and he hasn't started this season too well either. He's a 33 year old winger and looking every bit like one at the moment. I think the ABs look at Lowe, Osbourne or even Moala before they look at Jane.

Billy Tell

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="565157" data-time="1458186224">
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I'd be super surprised if Jane gets close to tearing it up. He wasn't that great last year and he hasn't started this season too well either. He's a 33 year old winger and looking every bit like one at the moment. I think the ABs look at Lowe, Osbourne or even Moala before they look at Jane.
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Agree totally. Even if he finds dazzling form, he's 33, and therefore a stopgap.
 
I don't think we need an amazing on-form Jane to beat Wales.
 
Surely NZ has enough depth that the loss of NMS doesn't mean we need to bring back a 33 year old?

Disgusted of TW

This piece fromthe Daily Telegraph implies that Lancaster might be in the frame for a SH coaching role: 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2016/03/16/stuart-lancaster-old-rfu-job-vacant-as-joe-lydon-quits/'>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2016/03/16/stuart-lancaster-old-rfu-job-vacant-as-joe-lydon-quits/</a> 
Seriously?

Bones

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
 
 
There is little doubt that Lancaster is held in some regard in the southern hemisphere following his four years in charge of England</blockquote>
 
Say wha?
 
I seriously doubt he's in consideration for the Highlanders. As for coaching any NZ franchises, I really can't see it. What other non-NZ coaches have we had (apart from Deans)? Nucifora? Yeah that was a success...
 
I will eat Kirwan's hat if he gets a job in NZ. That would be all shades of shit.

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="565157" data-time="1458186224">
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I'd be super surprised if Jane gets close to tearing it up. He wasn't that great last year and he hasn't started this season too well either. He's a 33 year old winger and looking every bit like one at the moment. I think the ABs look at Lowe, Osbourne or even Moala before they look at Jane.
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Most wingers are specialists and prefer to play either on the left or the right, not both. Piutau was the exception and he isn't available anymore.
 
Both Lowe and Osborne are left wingers so are not direct replacements for NMS. That's why I think Jane could still be in the frame but I'd favour Moala myself.

leytonandamanda

I would preference smith on wing and give Barrett or Mckenzie the full back jersey 
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taniwharugby

no point starting a new thread...
 
interesting try awarded
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/rugby/brumbies-suffer-first-super-rugby-loss-stormers?autoPlay=4808588916001'>https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/rugby/brumbies-suffer-first-super-rugby-loss-stormers?autoPlay=4808588916001</a>

Stargazer

Jerome Kaino out for a month with shoulder injury
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/78086185/Blues-captain-Jerome-Kaino-out-for-month-with-shoulder-injury?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/78086185/Blues-captain-Jerome-Kaino-out-for-month-with-shoulder-injury?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter</a>

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="leytonandamanda" data-cid="565757" data-time="1458367608">
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I would preference smith on wing and give Barrett or Mckenzie the full back jersey 
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Can go all old school and have a goalkicker in the 15 jersey as well.

The Silver Fern

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