Hurricanes 2021
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I don't think the Hurricanes' front row is half as bad as people have been saying. But with Fidow having relatively few caps for his age due to injury, Numia being 22 years and Lomax 25 years old the props are pretty green (in prop years).
Armstrong has the experience at 29, but also breaks regularly, and has been only OK in the last 2 seasons when he played.
Their depth has been lacking with Mafileo going downhill since his first year and Rakete-Stones is only 23 years old (he also gave away the penalty against the Chiefs that allowed Clutch to kick the winner).
Signing Franks may be a masterstroke. Fidow just can't play every game at his age and Franks is a great player (All Blacks great) he can learn from. In the mean time, the other youngsters coming through can learn as well, before they're thrown into the deep end.
Hell, even a union in the Canes catchment area were forced to sign a 38 year old foreign international in Sona Ttaumalolo for 2020's Mitre10 cup due to a lack propping depth.
So well done Canes management and fu*k the haters.
@toddy I don't know who the haters are (I haven't seen anyone criticising the signing here), but I agree. Taumalolo hardly got game time, but I'm sure his contribution off the field (mentoring) has been invaluable. It won't be different with Owen Franks.
My only concern is which prop might be left out of the squad for next season.
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Weren't they trying to convert Mafileo into a TH this year? Maybe that experiment is over.
I’m picking the make up of the Canes will be similar to the below next year:
Starters: Numia & Lomax
Bench: Mafileo & Franks
Others: Fidow, Rakete-StonesAxed: Armstrong - he should have shown more by now considering he’s 29. I’d rather further develop the likes of Rakete-Stones and Fidow in terms of scrummaging, with Franks acting as a mentor for every Canes prop in the squad.
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@stargazer
Apology accepted. How very dare you, Evans was signed to cover for our 3 AB locks when they get rotated as they're needed for the ABs, not at all like TH at the canes. -
Another really good signing for the Cane's. Even if it's just for his experience and work ethic it'll be worth it.
@toddy said in Hurricanes 2021:
Another really good signing for the Cane's. Even if it's just for his experience and work ethic it'll be worth it.
100% he's a total pro, and will be great. I reckon he's probably the best signing for the canes for ages
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@toddy said in Hurricanes 2021:
Another really good signing for the Cane's. Even if it's just for his experience and work ethic it'll be worth it.
100% he's a total pro, and will be great. I reckon he's probably the best signing for the canes for ages
@machpants someone that can lift the standards to new heights is only a good thing.
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@machpants someone that can lift the standards to new heights is only a good thing.
@canes4life said in Hurricanes 2021:
@machpants someone that can lift the standards to new heights is only a good thing.
Culture!!
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Does anyone know what Franks form has been like in England? What about Birds form in France?
@duluth said in Hurricanes 2021:
Does anyone know what Franks form has been like in England? What about Birds form in France?
Owen hasn't set the world on fire, maybe a reason he's coming back - along with family/covid. Didn't seem to settle there. But nothing but praise for his influence on the squad. Northampton are doing better this season
As to Bird I've heard some postive mentions but I don't follow french rugby that closely.
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Does anyone know what Franks form has been like in England? What about Birds form in France?
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Does anyone know what Franks form has been like in England? What about Birds form in France?
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Owen Franks!? oh hell yeah. As much for what he'll teach our young crop of props about professionalism as his onfield offerings.
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I’ve watched a few games involving racing. Bird has been very decent.
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Does anyone know what Franks form has been like in England? What about Birds form in France?
@duluth it was Northampton I was watching on Saturday and I remember watching their scrum get mullered and thinking about when I last watched them years ago and their forwards were dominant and scary, not getting chewed up.
So hopefully Franks wasn't playing.
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