Hurricanes 2021

[bobily2]

From the Turbos FB page (posted here as most are Hurricanes and I'm too lazy to split it out into each squad) :

Congratulations to all our Turbo's men that have been fully contracted (SRC) or have been selected for an Interim Training Contract or Player Replacement Contract (PRC) with Super Rugby Aotearoa rugby clubs. They are all finishing their 2-3weeks of preseason. Great to see them being recognised for their efforts during a tough Mitre 10. Stay well men.

Hurricanes: Liam Mitchell, Ngani Laumape, Brayden Iose, Jamie Booth (SRC) Shamus Hurley-Langton, Kyle Stewart* (Player Replacement), Tk Howden, Tyler Laubscher, Ben Strang (ITC). Highlanders: Aaron Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder. (SRC)
Crusaders: Michael Alaalatoa (SRC) Siua Elone Male (PRC)
Blues: Josiah Maraku (PRC).

*Kyle Stewart returning to Taranaki.

[mikey07]

@bobily2 said in 2021 Hurricanes:, Kyle Stewart* (Player Replacement), Tyler Laubscher, Ben Strang (ITC).

I can’t find what positions these 3 play? Also surprised James Tofa isn’t in that list

[Bovidae]

@mikey07 Ben Strang is a hooker. He was the starting no.2 for the NZ Schools in 2019 (from Whanganui Collegiate).

[mikey07]

@Bovidae Must be no.6 in the Canes pecking order

[Stargazer]

@mikey07 Which makes me think that Kereru-Symes is training with another franchise, although I haven't seen him in photos. Most likely Blues or Highlanders.

[mikey07]

@Stargazer Nothing Surprises me with this management tbh

[Stargazer]

@mikey07 Tbh, I think Darren Larsen is currently one of the weak spots in the Canes' staff. He's responsible for recruitment and development. He's the one who has mades the wrong selections at Hurricanes age grade level, year in, year out. That doesn't take away the responsibility of the other coaches though.

[mikey07]

@Stargazer Castle doesn’t exactly cover himself with sunshine in terms of recruitment either.

[Bovidae]

@mikey07 Laubscher is a 6/8.

https://www.turbosrugby.co.nz/news/tyler-laubscher-on-his-way-up

[bobily2]

@mikey07

Kyle Stewart is a prop. Pretty sure he is a tighthead, primarily.

[Stargazer]

[Canes4life]

With the season fast approaching what are everyones thoughts on the first starting 23 of the year.

Here's what I would pick:

1. Armstrong
2. Coles (c)
3. Lomax
4. Fifita
5. Scrafton
6. Flanders
7. Kirifi
8. Savea
9. Campbell
10. Garden-Bachop
11. Rayasi
12. Laumape
13. Umaga-Jensen
14. Goosen
15. Barrett
16. Aumua
17. Numia
18. Fidow
19. Walker-Leawere
20. Evans
21. Taumatiene
22. Love/Hickey
23. Aso/Toala/Proctor

VS what I think the coaches will pick:

1. Armstrong
2. Coles (c)
3. Lomax
4. Blackwell
5. Scrafton
6. Prinsep
7. Kirifi
8. Savea
9. Taumatiene
10. Garden-Bachop
11. Savea
12. Laumape
13. Umaga-Jensen
14. Goosen
15. Barrett
16. Aumua
17. Numia
18. Fidow
19. Fifita
20. Flanders
21. Campbell
22. Hickey
23. Aso/Proctor

[Stargazer]

@Canes4life

I'd pick:

1 Armstrong
2 Coles
3 Lomax
4 Fifita/Le'aupepe, or
5 Scrafton/Le'aupepe
6 Flanders/A Savea
7 Kirifi
8 A Savea/Flanders
9 Campbell
10 Hickey
11 Rayasi
12 Laumape
13 Umaga-Jensen
14 Visinia
15 Barrett
16 Aumua
17 Rakete-Stones
18 Fidow
19 Walker-Leawere
20 Evans
21 Taumateine
22 Garden-Bachop
23 Toala/Aso/Goosen

If Le'aupepe is available (I haven't seen any injury update about him), that might change more than the locking spots. Either IWL will miss out completely, or they shift Fifita to the 20 jersey and Flanders will miss out completely (because the coaches will pick Prinsep to start). I'd expect Le'aupepe to start with Scrafton.

My picks for 6, 7 and 8 are only to keep Kirifi in the starting line-up, but in reality I still think Ardie is more a 7 than an 8, which would mean 6 (yuck) Prinsep, 7 A Savea, 8 Flanders and 20 Kirifi, and Evans missing out. (I'd prefer Evans at 6, but we know that won't happen).

There obvioulsy is no rugby journo in Wellington anymore, so the media coverage of the Canes' preseason has been terrible.

[Bovidae]

Why the love for Campbell over Taumateine? I think the latter is a good halfback but hasn't had many opportunities yet.

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae I don't really care. Campbell is inexperienced, but probably has more talent. I find Taumateine pretty average, even in Mitre 10 Cup.

[KiwiMurph]

Hickey over Garden-Bachop? Surely not.

[Stargazer]

@KiwiMurph Yeah, I wasn't sure. They're both terrible. I thought maybe his goal kicking might be better.

[canefan]

@KiwiMurph said in 2021 Hurricanes:

Hickey over Garden-Bachop? Surely not.

I am no JGB fan. But he upped his game as last season went along. He'll never have a ceiling any higher than a Jimmy Gopperth type (he's not there yet!!) but he will probably be the place holder until we can unearth another

[Canes4life]

@canefan agree, JGB was very solid last year. Defs have him starting over Hickey.

@Stargazer I love your attempt to get as many HB players in there as possible but I can't see Visinia starting at 14 over Goosen. Goosen stood up massively with that performance against the Crusaders last year. Also, I think they will want a bit of consistency with selection from the back end of last year, so I doubt we will see too many new faces until injuries strike.

[Canes4life]

@Bovidae I have Campbell ahead of Taumateine just because he performed better in the Mitre 10 Cup.