Hurricanes 2023

[Darren]

@cgrant said in Hurricanes 2023:

So the Canes have Cameron but not Garden-Bachop who has been the best 1st Five of the third part of the NPC. I guess the latter will head overseas.

JGB has been terrible, and only came good once the Canes decided to not re-sign him.
But at Super level he has always looked pretty bad, despite plenty of chances.

First half of the NPC Morgan was superior, I think Morgan only went downhill after he was benched, maybe he lost confidence.

[Bovidae]

@cgrant JGB looks to be moving to Japan according to the Stuff article.

Moving on: Scott Scrafton (Italy), Jackson Garden-Bachop (Japan), Pepesana Patafilo (Crusaders), Wes Goosen (Scotland).

[Winger]

@Darren said in Hurricanes 2023:

But at Super level he has always looked pretty bad, despite plenty of chances.

JGB was inconsistent. Looked the goods at times but then next game would be poorish. I think Brett Cameron could be the first 1st5 to start. And if the AB aren't available in the first few weeks we could see Higgins and Proctor team up in midfield

A starting backline (if PUJ and Jordie aren't available) might be Perenara Cameron Higgins Proctor Savea on one wing and lots of options for the other wing (including Moorby and Sullivan). Maybe Love at FB. It will be a good backline even without Jordie. As long as one of Cameron or Morgan step up at 1st. Otherwise this could be a weakness. We also need another wing to put their hands up. Offers something on attack but good defenders too. Savea has been surprising good since his return and will likely be on one wing.

But Im assuming the regular starting ABs might not be available to kick SRP off in Aust (hopefully they are for the NZ clashes). Otherwise Jordie will replace Higgins.

Canes should have an improved team next year. But hopefully the team isn't smashed with injuries like this year (esp at hooker). Maybe the Canes should talk to the Wellington conditioning person.

[Canes4life]

@Winger said in Hurricanes 2023:

@Darren said in Hurricanes 2023:

But at Super level he has always looked pretty bad, despite plenty of chances.

JGB was inconsistent. Looked the goods at times but then next game would be poorish. I think Brett Cameron could be the first 1st5 to start. And if the AB aren't available in the first few weeks we could see Higgins and Proctor team up in midfield

A starting backline (if PUJ and Jordie aren't available) might be Perenara Cameron Higgins Proctor Savea on one wing and lots of options for the other wing (including Moorby and Sullivan). Maybe Love at FB. It will be a good backline even without Jordie. As long as one of Cameron or Morgan step up at 1st. Otherwise this could be a weakness. We also need another wing to put their hands up. Offers something on attack but good defenders too. Savea has been surprising good since his return and will likely be on one wing.

But Im assuming the regular starting ABs might not be available to kick SRP off in Aust (hopefully they are for the NZ clashes). Otherwise Jordie will replace Higgins.

Canes should have an improved team next year. But hopefully the team isn't smashed with injuries like this year (esp at hooker). Maybe the Canes should talk to the Wellington conditioning person.

If All Blacks aren't available in the first couple of weeks I don't think that's a major issue, hopefully we can atleast get one of Coles/Aumua back for the start of the campaign.

We also have to remember that it's going to be sweltering in North Queensland for our first game so someone like Brayden Iose, who's more mobile might be the best option to replace someone like Ardie.

[Winger]

Tough for players like Jackson. If he was more consistent he would be a good super rugby first. But unfortunately for him he's not.

He was great against Auckland and it shows what he can do when on form. Hope he does return for next year as even if Morgan is our starting 1st5 we need a backup just in case

Hope things go well for him in Japan though

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/130294100/jackson-gardenbachop-off-to-japan-after-missing-out-on-hurricanes-contract

[Mackerzzzz]

So best 23:?

1. P Raketie-Stones
2. A Aumua
3. T Lomax
4. J Sangster
5. I Walker-Leawere
6. D Flanders
7. D Kirifi
8. A Savea
9. TJ Perenara
10. A Morgan
11. S Rayasi
12. J Barrett
13. B Proctor
14. B Sullivan
15. R Love/ J Moorby

16. D Coles
17. X Numia
18. O Franks
19. D Bird
20. P Lakai
21. C Roigard
22. B Cameron
23. J Moorby/ R Love

[Canes4life]

There are multiple combinations you could go with. I would personally select Delany at 6 and I would definitely have Mafileo in the 23. You could also use Delany off the bench to cover 6/lock.

So many options though which is great for our depth. I would start Higgins when Barrett is out away on rest duty.

@Mackerzzzz said in Hurricanes 2023:

So best 23:?

1. P Raketie-Stones

2. A Aumua

3. T Lomax

4. J Sangster

5. I Walker-Leawere

6. D Flanders

7. D Kirifi

8. A Savea

9. TJ Perenara

10. A Morgan

11. S Rayasi

12. J Barrett

13. B Proctor

14. B Sullivan

15. R Love/ J Moorby

16. D Coles

17. X Numia

18. O Franks T Mafileo

19. D Bird C Delany 6/lock cover

20. P Lakai 7/8 cover

21. C Roigard

22. B Cameron

23. J Moorby/ R Love

[Winger]

@Canes4life

Agree many options. But based on the coaches Blackwell will almost certainly start. Maybe with Bird as his locking partner and IWL as a replacement. Likewise J Savea to start as well.

[foobaNZ]

@Winger that would be a shame IWL & Sangster are the best options for me.

[Canes4life]

@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes 2023:

@Winger that would be a shame IWL & Sangster are the best options for me.

Will it be shame though? Blackwell and Bird outperformed Walker-Leawere in both clashes this year when the Lions and Magpies met. I'm a big fan of Walker-Leawere but he really needs to lift his work-rate. Sangster though has been impressive for BOP and continues to go from strength to strength.

[foobaNZ]

@Canes4life IWL is a menace in the tackle and at maul time in particular. That weight and ability to hold the player up puts him ahead of the Lions pair for me (and as you know I'm a Lions fan!)

He also seems to play his best footy for the Canes.

But - I'm happy with any of the 4. Blackwell like Proctor has ironed out the issues in his game. He's still undersized but when we're not playing Saffa teams anymore it's not as relevant.

[Winger]

@foobaNZ Im not a Blackwell fan. Far from it. But the Blackwell,bird,Delany combination was first rate for Wellington. I'm still hoping for IWL to come good but he seems to go missing in games. Increase his workrate and he would start. Until then he's a replacement option. A good one with his size and strength

[cgrant]

I was certainly in the IWL bandwagon earlier this year but Dominic Bird has been outstanding in September and October. Nothing flashy but his cleaning in the rucks has allowed the Lions to get quick ball. During the final, his support of Lakai when he took out two Cantab defenders, was just delightful. He thus allowed Asafo Aumua to score his try. His presence is also a major factor in the way the Lions scrum held its own against teams with a higher reputation in this domain.
Sangster has been outstanding too but could remain behind Blackwell who is one of Holland's favorite.

[Winger]

@Canes4life

Linked to first post

The Canes finish with some tough games (Chiefs and Blues away and Crusaders at home) but until then it's a good draw. Team play Blues Chiefs and MP twice.

THE HURRICANES FULL SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC DRAW: (ALL TIMES NZT)

RD1: Reds v Hurricanes, Saturday 25 February, Queensland, 9:45PM
RD2: Rebels v Hurricanes, Friday 3 March, Melbourne, 10:10PM
RD3: Hurricanes v Blues, Saturday 11 March, Wellington, 7:05PM
RD4: Hurricanes v Waratahs, Friday 17 March, Wellington, 7:05PM
RD5: Moana Pasifika v Hurricanes, Saturday 25 March, Auckland, 7:05PM
RD6: Hurricanes v Force, Sunday 2 April, CET Arena, Palmerston North, 3:35PM
RD7: Highlanders v Hurricanes, Saturday 8 April, Dunedin, 7:05PM
RD8: Hurricanes v Chiefs, Saturday 15 April, Wellington, 7:05PM
RD9: BYE
RD10: Hurricanes v Brumbies, Friday 28 April, Wellington, 7:05PM
RD11: Fijian Drua v Hurricanes, Saturday 6 May, Suva, 2:05PM
RD12: Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika, Saturday 13 May, Wellington, 4:35PM
RD13: Chiefs v Hurricanes, Saturday 20 May, Hamilton, 7:05PM
RD14: Blues v Hurricanes, Saturday 27 May, Auckland, 7:05PM
RD15: Hurricanes v Crusaders, Saturday 3 June, Wellington, 7:05PM

https://www.hurricanes.co.nz/news/article/hurricanes-2023-squad-announced/

[Canes4life]

[Stargazer]

@Canes4life Again? They've had a few preseason games in Levin. I wonder if they're going to completely ignore Hawke's Bay again. Last year, they had excuse. This season, none at all.

[Canes4life]

@Stargazer said in Hurricanes 2023:

@Canes4life Again? They've had a few preseason games in Levin. I wonder if they're going to completely ignore Hawke's Bay again. Last year, they had excuse. This season, none at all.

Don’t Horowhenua have a big stake in the Canes? Maybe that’s why?

I’ll most likely head along. I went to the last one played there a few years ago before COVID came along.

[Canes4life]

TJ Perenara pretty much gone for the Super season. Big opportunity for Cam Roigard to get plenty of minutes in 2022, and potentially an opportunity for Richard Judd.

Who's likely to fill the gap?

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/130532404/were-gutted-for-him-all-blacks-halfback-tj-perenara-ruptures-achilles

[Bovidae]

That's a real shame as he had a memorable last month or two.

[Stargazer]

@Canes4life Disappointing for TJP and the Canes. Injuries suck for both players and teams!

So the Canes need someone to be the 3rd halfback behind Roigard and Booth. So many of NZ depth going overseas to the MLR and Japan makes it more difficult to find good back-up.

Looking at halfbacks from the region without a SR contract, Richard Judd, Luke Campbell and Connor McLeod (who is only the 3rd hb for the Magpies, so probably wouldn't be picked anyway) are all off to the USA. Judd would have been the player to get a call-up if he'd been available.

All others will be a step down, but there aren't too many options. Lisati Milo-Harris (Northland) may be available; he has SR experience. Liam Blyde (Taranaki) looked handy during the NPC. Then there's ex-Wellington, now Otago, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, who got a lot of game time during the NPC.

The best halfback from the NZ U20s, Hotham, is taken. I don't think the others are ready? Adam Lennox was behind Blyde for Taranaki.

Off the Hurricanes U20 halfbacks, Jordie Viljoen is a great talent and he played well for NZ U19s, but he's too young.

It will be interesting who'll get the call-up. I think I'd go with Blyde, but I probably missed some other available players.