Hurricanes 2021
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@stargazer said in Hurricanes 2021:
From that article in the Hawke's Bay Today:
Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee said: "We are really looking forward to playing in Napier. The team always love the experience in the Bay and it's always a great atmosphere on game day. Our relationship with Hawke's Bay rugby is very important to us and we thank them and the Force for making this happen."

About the only thing that is important to them is the possibility of wrangling a large amount of money out of the Events Department of the Napier City Council as an appearance fee. It would not surprise me if any appearance fee collected would provide a return that is greater than their share of the gate take from a shite team's appearance at the Sky Stadium.
@higgins said in Hurricanes 2021:
@stargazer said in Hurricanes 2021:
From that article in the Hawke's Bay Today:
Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee said: "We are really looking forward to playing in Napier. The team always love the experience in the Bay and it's always a great atmosphere on game day. Our relationship with Hawke's Bay rugby is very important to us and we thank them and the Force for making this happen."

About the only thing that is important to them is the possibility of wrangling a large amount of money out of the Events Department of the Napier City Council as an appearance fee. It would not surprise me if any appearance fee collected would provide a return that is greater than their share of the gate take from a shite team's appearance at the Sky Stadium.
Yep, all money from ticket sales goes to the Hurricanes, as well as a fee from Napier City Council who underwrite the fixture.
It is a PR exercise for Hawke's Bay who's only income from the fixture is from the pre-match hospitality functions.
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The lure of an Olympic gold medal remains for recalled Hurricanes wing Salesi Rayasi, who insists heโll delay his decision until after next weekendโs final Super Rugby Aotearoa match.
Rayasi returns to No 11 for his fourth start of the season, against the high-flying Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday night, as the newly re-signed Julian Savea drops out of the 23 in the ongoing wing rotation.As he looks to make an impact for the 1-5 Hurricanes in Hamilton, Rayasi also knows he must commit to the Olympic sevens programme in the next fortnight as coach Clark Laidlawโs squad eye an Australian campaign to prepare for Tokyo in July.
His last tournament in the black jersey was in Sydney in February 2020, not long before the world series was put on hold for Covid-19.
Rayasi said the lure of Tokyo was still there, โin the back pocketโ but he wasnโt looking past the bottom-placed Hurricanesโ next two matches against the Chiefs and Highlanders.
โIโm just focused on the present and trying to be in that 23 week to week and trying to put my hand up. When I get to that [sevens] situation, Iโll come to a decision,โ Rayasi said on Wednesday.
โ[There will be] ongoing chats with Alfie [coach Jason Holland] about where I want to be and my goals and how that fits into this, that will help my decision.โ
Asked when he needed to commit to sevens, Rayasi said: โSometime soon. I know the sevens are getting into full power and they leave for Australia in the next couple of weeks for their trans- Ta$man bubble games.โ
It would be a surprise if Rayasi opted out of a potential once in a lifetime chance at the Olympics, which would see him miss Trans- Ta$man Super Rugby which starts next month. No doubt he features highly in Laidlawโs plans and be a major asset. -
@akan004 I think the Blues have plenty of depth with Eklund, Tolai, Vikena and Apisai. They probably need a player like Thompson the least of all franchises other than the Hurricanes.
Highlanders have Dixon, Coltman, Jackson; not sure who's below that.
Chiefs have Harris, Taukei'aho, Slater ...; again, I don't know who would be next in line.
Crusaders have Taylor, McAlister .... and Nathan Vella covering for Makalio. The other Canterbury & Ta$man hookers are definitely not of Thompson's calibre.
So, definitely, not the Blues.
@stargazer said in Hurricanes 2021:
@akan004 I think the Blues have plenty of depth with Eklund, Tolai, Vikena and Apisai. They probably need a player like Thompson the least of all franchises other than the Hurricanes.
Highlanders have Dixon, Coltman, Jackson; not sure who's below that.
Chiefs have Harris, Taukei'aho, Slater ...; again, I don't know who would be next in line.
Crusaders have Taylor, McAlister .... and Nathan Vella covering for Makalio. The other Canterbury & Ta$man hookers are definitely not of Thompson's calibre.
So, definitely, not the Blues.
Apisai is awful. Tolai is going ok - jury is out.
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Youโd imagine that the Blues or Lsnders would be the best landing spot for Ricatelli if he does move on.
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@higgins said in Hurricanes 2021:
@stargazer said in Hurricanes 2021:
From that article in the Hawke's Bay Today:
Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee said: "We are really looking forward to playing in Napier. The team always love the experience in the Bay and it's always a great atmosphere on game day. Our relationship with Hawke's Bay rugby is very important to us and we thank them and the Force for making this happen."

About the only thing that is important to them is the possibility of wrangling a large amount of money out of the Events Department of the Napier City Council as an appearance fee. It would not surprise me if any appearance fee collected would provide a return that is greater than their share of the gate take from a shite team's appearance at the Sky Stadium.
Yep, all money from ticket sales goes to the Hurricanes, as well as a fee from Napier City Council who underwrite the fixture.
It is a PR exercise for Hawke's Bay who's only income from the fixture is from the pre-match hospitality functions.
@number-10 said in Hurricanes 2021:
@higgins said in Hurricanes 2021:
@stargazer said in Hurricanes 2021:
From that article in the Hawke's Bay Today:
Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee said: "We are really looking forward to playing in Napier. The team always love the experience in the Bay and it's always a great atmosphere on game day. Our relationship with Hawke's Bay rugby is very important to us and we thank them and the Force for making this happen."

About the only thing that is important to them is the possibility of wrangling a large amount of money out of the Events Department of the Napier City Council as an appearance fee. It would not surprise me if any appearance fee collected would provide a return that is greater than their share of the gate take from a shite team's appearance at the Sky Stadium.
Yep, all money from ticket sales goes to the Hurricanes, as well as a fee from Napier City Council who underwrite the fixture.
It is a PR exercise for Hawke's Bay who's only income from the fixture is from the pre-match hospitality functions.
Whatโs the point of the PR exercise? Why are the HBRU helping promote a franchise that treats it like a 3rd class citizen?
This is both a rant and a genuine question.
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@number-10 said in Hurricanes 2021:
@higgins said in Hurricanes 2021:
@stargazer said in Hurricanes 2021:
From that article in the Hawke's Bay Today:
Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee said: "We are really looking forward to playing in Napier. The team always love the experience in the Bay and it's always a great atmosphere on game day. Our relationship with Hawke's Bay rugby is very important to us and we thank them and the Force for making this happen."

About the only thing that is important to them is the possibility of wrangling a large amount of money out of the Events Department of the Napier City Council as an appearance fee. It would not surprise me if any appearance fee collected would provide a return that is greater than their share of the gate take from a shite team's appearance at the Sky Stadium.
Yep, all money from ticket sales goes to the Hurricanes, as well as a fee from Napier City Council who underwrite the fixture.
It is a PR exercise for Hawke's Bay who's only income from the fixture is from the pre-match hospitality functions.
Whatโs the point of the PR exercise? Why are the HBRU helping promote a franchise that treats it like a 3rd class citizen?
This is both a rant and a genuine question.
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It's bringing the team to the region for the HB public to watch star players in action like Dane Coles, Jordie Barrett, Ardie Savea etc
@number-10 donโt forget star lock James Blackwell.
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Interesting info about that Canes v Force match in an email from the HBRU:
We are delighted to let you know that the HBRU has been able to secure a Trans- Ta$man Super Rugby fixture between the Hurricanes and Western Force at McLean Park on the 28th of May kick off 7:05pm.
This evolved from a Super round where all teams were meant to play in Melbourne across a weekend, this didnโt eventuate and lead to the Force approaching the HBRU with this opportunity to host. ... -
@number-10 donโt forget star lock James Blackwell.
@canes4life Pick of the forward pack tonite, along with the hookers
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It's a pity that they didn't swap this Napier game for the one against the Rebels. The Rebels are at least certain to field Stacey Ili.
@stargazer at least you get a game, the Blues had to get nz into lockdown last year to avoid thier schefuled match up here

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@stargazer at least you get a game, the Blues had to get nz into lockdown last year to avoid thier schefuled match up here

@taniwharugby said in Hurricanes 2021:
@stargazer at least you get a game, the Blues had to get nz into lockdown last year to avoid thier schefuled match up here

We had to organise it, bank roll it, pay the Canes for the privilege to host it and we'll be lucky to get two players in the team.
You can't out whinge us on the who gets treated worse by their franchise. Our guys struggle to get into the starting lineup, they make yours the captain even though he's a ginga.

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Tough times at the moment so here's some Yellow and Black magic to remind ya all of better days
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@taniwharugby said in Hurricanes 2021:
@stargazer at least you get a game, the Blues had to get nz into lockdown last year to avoid thier schefuled match up here

We had to organise it, bank roll it, pay the Canes for the privilege to host it and we'll be lucky to get two players in the team.
You can't out whinge us on the who gets treated worse by their franchise. Our guys struggle to get into the starting lineup, they make yours the captain even though he's a ginga.

@nepia paying to 'host' them is normal isn't it?
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@winger Yep, of the un-injured 2021 Hurricanes squad, Aso, Toala, Patafilo and Visinia still haven't had a second of game time. (Brayden Iose made his debut, last night.)
I wonder whether they will get a run in round 10, or whether they'll have to wait for the game against the Tahs.
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@winger said in Hurricanes 2021:
Aso's kind of a forgotten man at present.
Yeah is he still at the canes?
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@nepia paying to 'host' them is normal isn't it?
@taniwharugby said in Hurricanes 2021:
@nepia paying to 'host' them is normal isn't it?
TBH, I have no idea.
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@winger said in Hurricanes 2021:
Aso's kind of a forgotten man at present.
Yeah is he still at the canes?
@mackerzzzz crazy how someone who made such an impact when he first burst onto the scene canโt get a look in. Rumour is that heโs off to Japan.
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What the view on Love so far. He still young of course but has he the goods. Or not. Or too early to tell? (I'm watching on a small screen so hard to tell)
@winger said in Hurricanes 2021:
What the view on Love so far. He still young of course but has he the goods. Or not. Or too early to tell? (I'm watching on a small screen so hard to tell)
Hard to tell for everyone with the way they are using him to fill a jersey then getting Jordie to play for him.
As mentioned in the thread he needs to work on distance on exit kicks but I remember giving BB shit about that years ago as well.
Looks like he could be better than JGB but the coaches seem to think he should be a fullback.