Super Rugby News
-
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/82168514/seta-tamanivalu-out-of-chiefs-super-rugby-quarterfinal-against-stormers'>SANZAAR rule Liam Messam ineligible for Super Rugby playoffs</a></p>
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="597680" data-time="1468751965">
<div>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/82168514/seta-tamanivalu-out-of-chiefs-super-rugby-quarterfinal-against-stormers'>SANZAAR rule Liam Messam ineligible for Super Rugby playoffs</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<p> </p>
<p>"Special dispensation hasn't been granted because SANZAAR are satisfied that the Chiefs <strong>can field a normal, full-strength side of 23 players</strong> for the following match.</p>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I just don't understand how they can think that.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>There was another appalling decision from them last week where they were complicit in the Sharks fielding an injured player on the bench (Lambie) by refusing to give dispensation for him to play in the playoffs as he'd played one game less than required. I suppose, it was only concussion. What's the worst that could have happened?</p> -
<p>I guess they did just recruit that Messam cat for the finals, I mean how many times has he even played for the Chiefs?</p>
-
<p>I disagree that the Chiefs can field a normal full strength 23 man side. I also don't think they needed to take that long to say no.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I have more of an issue with the Patrick Lambie situation because he'd been with the Sharks for ages but kept getting injured.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="597709" data-time="1468788197">
<div>
<p>I guess they did just recruit that Messam cat for the finals, I mean how many times has he even played for the Chiefs?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>doesnt matter.. he wasn't in the original squad of 40.. he also had to ask permission from his other club to play for the chiefs..</p>
<p>there is no injury crisis so the chiefs can field a "normal full strength 23 man side".</p> -
<p>I still think it sucks...it isn't like they have called him back especially for the finals...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Messam is a huge part of the Chiefs, and I expect he didn't take the decision to have a punt at the 7s lightly, and we know this is the only reason he is back now.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The guy they are replacing Messam with hasn't played a single game this year.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mimic" data-cid="597734" data-time="1468797537">
<div>
<p>doesnt matter.. he wasn't in the original squad of 40.. he also had to ask permission from his other club to play for the chiefs..</p>
<p>there is no injury crisis so the chiefs can field a "normal full strength 23 man side".</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Well the rules are the rules and I have no issue with that, and I know you're trying to peddle an 'objective' line here but suggesting there is no injury crisis is a bit bollocks.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The loose forwards/locks have been hammered by injury (Leitch, Bardoul, Vaipulu, Tucker, Henwood, Karpik, Allardice) and 4 of those lot cover the two positions Messam does. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mimic" data-cid="597741" data-time="1468799305">
<div>
<p>now that i think about it, maybe this is karma.. sanzaar is looking at punishing rennie after propgate </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>I hope the Blues are enjoying mad monday....</p> -
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Crusaders </strong>travelling squad:</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">FORWARDS:</span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Wyatt Crockett, Alex Hodgman, Mike Alaalatoa, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Ben Funnell, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Scott Barrett, Jimmy Tupou, Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Kieran Read (C).</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">BACKS:</span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Andy Ellis, Mitchell Drummond, Leon Fukofuka, Richie Moâ€
unga, David Havilli, Kieron Fonotia, Jone Macilai, Johnny McNicholl, Ben Volavola, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Jack Goodhue.</span></span></div>
<div> </div>
<div><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/rugby/ellis-and-whitelock-included-in-crusaders-squad-take-lions'>https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/rugby/ellis-and-whitelock-included-in-crusaders-squad-take-lions</a></div>
<div> </div>
<div>Edit to add:</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>Biggest names missing: Joe Moody & Nemani Nadolo</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Also not named: Tim Boys, Marty McKenzie (both still in the injury ward?), Mitchell Hunt, Ged Robinson - just to name a few. Is Hunt injured?</div>
<div> </div>
<div>They're taking 3 halfbacks, so maybe Ellis not completely over his injury?</div>
<div> </div>
<div>I'm mostly surprised by Jack Goodhue's inclusion in the squad. Has he played at all for the Crusaders (except for preseason/warm-up matches)? He's a midfielder, isn't he? Looks like they're running out of backs at the Crusaders.</div>
</div> -
<p>yeah Goodhue is a centre</p>
-
<p>Wonder whether there's any intention of using Goodhue, or if he's just there as injury cover?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Planned bench presumably Drummond, Volavola and Fonotia/Havili.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Nadolo obviously a big loss, though I've thought he's been less effective this year. Teams have worked out that if you tackle him low, he goes down reasonably easily and I've though he becokmes less effective as the game wears on. Be interested if someone knows his ratio of first vs second half tries this season.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="597753" data-time="1468800813">
<div>
<p>Mitchell Hunt should've stayed in Auckland.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Yup would've seen much more gametime up here.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="597743" data-time="1468799448"><p>I hope the Blues are enjoying mad monday....</p></blockquote>
Probably looking forward to next season <br>
Now all the usos are backing the canes..<br><br>
Samoa mo Samoa [emoji1] -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="597744" data-time="1468799795"><p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Crusaders </strong>travelling squad:</span></span><br><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial;">FORWARDS:</span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Wyatt Crockett, Alex Hodgman, Mike Alaalatoa, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Ben Funnell, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Scott Barrett, Jimmy Tupou, Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Kieran Read (C).</span></span><br><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial;">BACKS:</span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Andy Ellis, Mitchell Drummond, Leon Fukofuka, Richie Moâ€
unga, David Havilli, Kieron Fonotia, Jone Macilai, Johnny McNicholl, Ben Volavola, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Jack Goodhue.</span></span><br><br><a class="bbc_url" href="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/rugby/ellis-and-whitelock-included-in-crusaders-squad-take-lions">https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/rugby/ellis-and-whitelock-included-in-crusaders-squad-take-lions</a><br><br>
Edit to add:<br><br><br>
Biggest names missing: Joe Moody & Nemani Nadolo<br><br>
Also not named: Tim Boys, Marty McKenzie (both still in the injury ward?), Mitchell Hunt, Ged Robinson - just to name a few. Is Hunt injured?<br><br>
They're taking 3 halfbacks, so maybe Ellis not completely over his injury?<br><br>
I'm mostly surprised by Jack Goodhue's inclusion in the squad. Has he played at all for the Crusaders (except for preseason/warm-up matches)? He's a midfielder, isn't he? Looks like they're running out of backs at the Crusaders.</p></blockquote>
Only 4 loosies travelling. And that's if you count Tupou. And only one openside. Can Barrett cover 6? -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="597956" data-time="1468863138">
<div>
<p>Only 4 loosies travelling. And that's if you count Tupou. And only one openside. Can Barrett cover 6?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm sure he could if he had to.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Apparently Ellis is only 70/30 to play, so they've had to take three halfbacks.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I guess you're limited in how many players you're allowed to take for a one off game - e.g. only six front rowers, so if someone is injured during the week presumably you are one short on the bench and go to golden oldies if your starter gets broken.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Toddy might be well advised to have packed a hammer to use on Alaalatoa's leg on Friday afternoon! :)</p> -
<p>Basically, that Crusaders travelling squad is their 23 + 2.</p>
<p>Nothing unusual in the forwards.</p>
<p>Tupou on the bench, both covering lock and 6 (maybe 8), unless Taufua hasn't completely recovered yet, in which case he'll be on the bench and Tupou starting at 6 (not for the first time this season). Taufua can play both 6 and 8. I think Read can play 7 in case of injury to Todd?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The +2 are both backs: Leon Fukofuka (clearly included because Ellis isn't 100% yet) and Jack Goodhue (and not Hunt or Wainui).</p>
<p>Johnny McNicholl had some injury concerns at the end of the match on Saturday (one of his fingers?), so that may be the reason for Goodhue's inclusion, unless one of the midfielders picked up a minor injury (hopefully not Crotty).</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="597956" data-time="1468863138">
<div>
<p>Only 4 loosies travelling. And that's if you count Tupou. And only one openside. Can Barrett cover 6?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Watched him play 6 for lincoln a few weeks ago whilst the test match break was on.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Wondered to myself if that may be his best chance for higher honours as I'm of the opinion he's not big enough to be a frontline test lock.</p>
