The Silver Fern

Are we seeing a return of Holland selections? Please say it ain't so.

Pretty good group there. Pleased to see Harkin and Plummer in particular.

If we aren't going to bowl much spin, could we give Phillips the gloves and if he really needs to bowl get one of Conway or Latham to glove up for his spell? To me Blundell is way too long between drinks to keep his spot.

@Rapido lol mate. Ease off. I'm all for sensible critique but that's a bit OTT.

Some of this rabble won a WTC not too long ago, and just beat India 3-0 at home.

Their catching has completely let them down and put them in this position, but, if they can get Eng out with a lead not much over 100 on a good wicket they're certainly not out of the game with a couple of nice partnerships.

Sure - we may fold, but this is one of the better Black Caps eras for those of us who've been watching for years.

As a batting the no balls would annoy you more than the bowler if you're trying to survive before a break! Lucky the 2 wicket balls were good.

Is Proctor back? I'd love to see him get a run in the team proper.

I feel like when we've been forced to pick the newbies, alongside the "proper" squad, they've florished. If they get chucked in with the B team each time it doesn't give them the best chance to shine.

Roigard, DMac, Clarke, Jordie/ALB, Proctor, Jordan/Telea, Love

Would love to see that.

(up the Canes)

What's the point in TJ getting a shot? He's gone after this year.

@nostrildamus Proctor needs work defensively? What?

DMac and Roigard should be our halves pairing. That game made it clear.

Jordan made some poor decisions too. Seemed pretty gassed.

Would have preferred DMac at 10.
Happy for Roigard.
Personally I'd have straight swapped Lakai in at 7.
Not a huge fan of Sevu at test level but I guess he's the logical replacement in that squad if you're straight swapping for Telea.

@Canes4life yup. I said earlier that signing guys like Hohepa is nonsensical. Unfortunately it's played out.

• 29 years old.
• A few years under his belt with Canes & Saders. First stint with Canes he wasn't retained, for obvious reasons, and then he was very disappointing for the Saders.
• Not a specialist 10.
• Been playing twelve for Counties.

Earns a contract? I can't understand it.

@Canes4life that's great news re: Harkin.

I am a bit miffed that the Canes brain's trust have decided he's good enough for a training contract, but not a proper contract, when you consider who was selected ahead of him.

My concern would be another team loses a 10, snaps him up, and they're in his ears for a contract next year.

The general consensus seems to be he's the unluckiest player not to make any squad.

@Canes4life given injuries are going to happen, hopefully Harkin gets a run at some stage this year and makes it not even a question about giving him a contract proper.

@Canes4life I wonder if Perofeta did but Blues wouldn't release him from final year of contract? Could be on his way in 26-27 season perhaps?

Yea I wish Preston all the best. We can't keep em all. A bit like the Howden situation.

@Canes4life haha I've said that to my mates in the group chat a few times. Who would have thought the Canes would have the starting AB tighthead and reserve in an AB 23! Good stuff.

Re: Godfrey - yes absolutely agree he should be our 10 based on the current squad. Love to remain at 15.

Cashmore to cover 10 from the pine.

Hohepa you'd think is 3rd choice? He actually has the most Super experience at 10. It would be a very Canes move to have him as the starter.

I'm guessing should any of those 3 go down, they bring Harkin in (he's presumably WTG).

Does anyone know if they name the wider training groups formally anywhere? Can't find em.

Canes4life can you post up your 23? You're usually on the money.

I think we're a bit underwhelmed with the additions, but I think we still put out a really good 15, and 23 most weeks.

Hohepa was shite for the Canes, shite for the Saders, and somehow got a contract lol. Weird selection that one.

Harkin hasn't shown up elsewhere yet, so, with Cameron named, but being out all season as I understand it, I wonder if he's in the squad via the WTG?

I'm hoping he isn't picked up elsewhere tbh. If he's WTG he may get in the squad at some point.