Super Rugby News

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="587063" data-time="1465715357">
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It looks like Will Talataina-Mu is training with the Blues. He's quite a handy player and is probably the form 10 in club rugby this year. He's played mostly in the midfield since he left school, but this year he's played all his rugby at 10. I like that he's solely stationed at 10 this season, because whenever I've seen him there, he's always looked quite good.
 
I'd love to see him get some time at 10 for Auckland, because with his attacking ability, he could really create havoc behind what should be a pretty handy pack. Just gotta hope that Nick White isn't in love with Hickey like Feeney was.
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Yes very unlike Ponsonby to put a youngster at 10 with the grandads they've played there since Gareth Anscombe moved on. They seem to be reaping the benefits for it. Interestingly enough, his father is Nigel Vagana.

Dice

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="587098" data-time="1465720195">
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Yes very unlike Ponsonby to put a youngster at 10 with the grandads they've played there since Gareth Anscombe moved on. They seem to be reaping the benefits for it. Interestingly enough, his father is Nigel Vagana.
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Yeah, them moving him to 10 is one of the reasons they're going so well this year.
 
Nigel Vagana being his dad is a fact a lot of people don't know because of their surnames.
 
I was going to mention they were father and son and then post these two videos where a try they each score looks very similar.
 
Will's try at 2:40

And Nigel's third try here at the :25 second mark.

Dice

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="587093" data-time="1465719083">
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I expect Peter Breen to be directing NOrthland on Friday from 10
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Is the game this week? On the Blues website, it says it's on the 24th.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://theblues.co.nz/northland-barbarians-take-blues/'>http://theblues.co.nz/northland-barbarians-take-blues/</a>

taniwharugby

Ha I am a week ahead of myself....

Stargazer

It's hard to take this seriously, but the French paper Midi Olympique reports that Ali Williams is close to coming out of retirement and to put on his boots for Racing 92. Apparently, they are short on locks because of illness/injury/suspension of other players. Williams wasn't too keen at first, but is said to be close to signing now.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://www.midi-olympique.fr/article/22729-ali-williams-sort-sa-retraite'>https://www.midi-olympique.fr/article/22729-ali-williams-sort-sa-retraite</a>

Bovidae

Carter must have convinced him, if true. A pity Racing isn't playing Toulon in the SFs.

Stargazer

Ash Dixon has re-signed with the Highlanders for the 2017 season!
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='

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Smudge

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="587763" data-time="1465880431">
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Ash Dixon has re-signed with the Highlanders for the 2017 season!
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='

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In case anyone is wondering about the random appearance of Nasi Manu at the end of the clip, he's back for his wedding. Stag do was apparently up in QTown at the weekend.

mariner4life

Michael Foley sacked as coach of the Force. They really are going nowhere out west.
 
Foley is a shit coach though. 
 
Edit: Wait, after a re-read, he might be seeing out the season, and then not seeing out the last year of his contract.

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="588615" data-time="1466040438">Michael Foley sacked as coach of the Force. They really are going nowhere out west. 
Foley is a shit coach though. 
Edit: Wait, after a re-read, he might be seeing out the season, and then not seeing out the last year of his contract.</blockquote>
 
Effective as of today, he's gone

mariner4life

ok, the article i read was fucking poorly worded, it started off saying he was gone, then finished by saying he wouldn't see out the last year of his contract. 
 
Results and football have been terrible, and players keep wanting to leave, this is a deserved sacking. By rights he should get the Reds job next aye?

pukunui

Hammerforce? The supercoach surely has time for a 5th team.

KiwiMurph

This may not be popular
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/81158832/Robertson-emerges-as-favourite-to-replace-Blackadder'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/81158832/Robertson-emerges-as-favourite-to-replace-Blackadder</a>
 
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An announcement on Todd Blackadder's successor is imminent, with Scott Robertson tipped to take over as the Crusaders head coach next year
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SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="588793" data-time="1466110610">
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This may not be popular
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/81158832/Robertson-emerges-as-favourite-to-replace-Blackadder'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/81158832/Robertson-emerges-as-favourite-to-replace-Blackadder</a>
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Old boys club again, in all honesty was to be expected.

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="588807" data-time="1466111883">
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Old boys club again, in all honesty was to be expected.
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Yep, have heard being a former AB certainly gives you a good step up.

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="588822" data-time="1466117905">
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Yep, have heard being a former AB certainly gives you a good step up.
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I think the criteria is like this
 
Former Crusader
Former AB
Drinks at the bar with the old farts on the board of directors.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="588822" data-time="1466117905">
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Yep, have heard being a former AB certainly gives you a good step up.
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Being the players' favourite as well.

Stargazer

I read this at the end of an article about Scott Robertson.
 
You've got to feel sorry for Robbie Fruean that, after all his trouble with his heart, now a chest injury (which he - if I remember it correctly - suffered during pre-season training) will probably keep him out of the Super Rugby season completely. He's probably without a Mitre 10 Cup and Super Rugby contract, so I'm wondering whether this will be the end of his rugby career?
 
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The Crusaders take on the Highlanders in an 80-minute training match in Oamaru on Thursday before Super Rugby resumes next weekend after the international break.
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<div>Blackadder will take 25 players south for the game, which will feature rolling substitutions.</div>
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<div>He will have an almost full squad to pick from, outside his All Blacks, with midfielder Jack Goodhue and loose forward Jed Brown returning from long spells on the sideline.</div>
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<div>Centre Robbie Fruean remains out and is likely to miss the remainder of the season because of a serious chest injury, which has prevented him from featuring this year.</div>
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<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/81249492/crusaders-not-bringing-in-scott-robertson-until-end-of-season'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/81249492/crusaders-not-bringing-in-scott-robertson-until-end-of-season</a>

Canes4life

Such a shame for a player that could have been so devastating if he wasn't hit with the continuing injuries and health issues that have prevented him from reaching his peak.

Stargazer

<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/81326623/former-chiefs-coach-tom-coventry-quits-london-irish-returns-to-new-zealand'>Former Chiefs coach Tom Coventry quits London Irish, returns to New Zealand</a>

The Silver Fern

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