Crusaders 2017
-
There will be nine new faces in the Crusaders squad in 2017, and the return of one familiar face.
Scott Robertson has this morning announced his first squad as the Crusaders Head Coach, and said he could not be more excited about the potential in this group.
"Within the squad of 38, we are boasting five players who have played more than 100 games for this team (as well as Israel Dagg on 99 Super Rugby caps and Matt Todd on 94). We have eleven players currently away with the All Blacks, and a further six players about to represent either the Maori All Blacks or Barbarians teams. That is a wealth of experience and talent that we are blessed with here, and we are complementing that with some incredibly exciting raw talent in 2017," Robertson said.
Of the ten new Crusaders in 2017, four are in the forwards. Prop Oliver Jager makes the step up to Super Rugby after an impressive debut season with the Canterbury provincial team. Hailing from Ireland originally, Robertson said Jager has a great story to tell about his journey to Super Rugby: "Oli first came to New Zealand at his own expense to attend a six week course at the Crusaders International High Performance Unit, straight after high school. He enjoyed the experience so much that he opted to return the following year, and that led to an offer of a spot in the Crusaders Academy. He had a strong debut season for the Canterbury team this year and, at just 21 years of age, is showing potential in spades."
The Crusaders' new hooker is Andrew Makalio from Ta$man. Makalio has represented Auckland in every age-group from under-15s to Auckland B, but shifted to Ta$man in 2016 to try his luck and, with a 120kg frame and some incredible power and pace, it did not take long for him to be noticed.
"This guy has got everything going for him and has the potential to be a real star. He is a really exciting addition to our trio of hookers and I am looking forward to helping him develop in this team," Robertson said.
Another new player out of the Ta$man camp is lock Quinten Strange. Strange was Nelson College 1st XV Captain in 2014 and also made the NZ Secondary Schools side. He was selected in the NZ Under 20 team this year, and off the back of some impressive performances there earned selection in the Ta$man provincial team.
"I got to see first hand how impressive Quentin can be when I worked with him in the NZ Under 20s. He has been prominent for Ta$man in his debut season and is showing all signs of being another excellent Crusaders lock," Robertson said.
Adding to the loose forward stocks this season is Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, a stalwart of the Manawatu Turbos. Robertson said he will bring some valuable experience to the group: "Heiden has been on the provincial scene for a while now, but we want to give him the chance to show he has got what it takes at Super Rugby level too. We know that he has some great skills and the work ethic to make this opportunity count."
Three of the new backs for 2017 have previously been announced - Bryn Hall at halfback, Seta Tamanivalu in the midfield and Digby Ioane on the wing. Joining them as new faces in the backline are two exciting young outside backs and one returning face.
Tim Bateman, who played for the Crusaders from 2007 - 2010 and then the Hurricanes from 2012 - 2014, returns to his red and black roots to add some experience in the backs. Robertson said his versatility and leadership will be a great asset to the team: "We are stoked to have Tim back in the mix, and know that there is a lot he can add in a variety of positions. He will slot in seamlessly and provide some great leadership for our younger backs."
Earning a spot in the squad off the back of an impressive provincial campaign is Canterbury speedster George Bridge. Bridge has made his way through the Canterbury age grades, playing for the Canterbury Under 18 team, the 2014 Canterbury Under 19 Player of the Year, and a member of the 2015 New Zealand Under 20 squad, and is a graduate of the Crusaders Academy.
"George is a talented young player who knows how to score tries. He scored a double when he played his first pre-season game for the Crusaders last year, and scored five tries in eight games for Canterbury this provincial season. He is another player brimming with potential and we are excited to help him develop his natural talent," Robertson said.
The final new face in the 2017 Crusaders squad is explosive young winger, Manasa Mataele. Mataele will make the move from Taranaki to the BNZ Crusaders with his uncle, Seta Tamanivalu.
"Seta and Manasa both have incredible abilities and it is awesome to be bringing them into the squad together. We can see a massive amount of natural ability and talent in Manasa that is ready to be unlocked. He is only 19 so has some time to develop, but I predict he will become a well-known name in New Zealand rugby within the next few years," Robertson said.
"I am delighted with the squad we have named today. I believe we have the ideal mix of experience and emerging talent, and a brilliant balance of skills across the park. I cannot wait to get started with the 2017 group and with the new coaching group of Brad Mooar, Leon MacDonald, Jason Ryan and myself."
CRUSADERS SQUAD
PROPSMichael Alaalatoa
Wyatt Crockett
Oliver Jager
Joe Moody
Tim Perry
Owen Franks
HOOKERS
Ben Funnell
Andrew Makalio
Codie Taylor
LOCKS
Scott Barrett
Luke Romano
Quinten Strange
Sam Whitelock
LOOSE FORWARDS
Heiden Bedwell-Curtis
Jed Brown
Mitchell Dunshea
Kieran Read
Pete Samu
Jordan Taufua
Matt Todd
HALFBACKS
Mitchell Drummond
Leon Fukofuka
Bryn Hall
FIRST FIVE-EIGHTHS
Tim Bateman
Marty McKenzie
Richie Mo'unga
MIDFIELD BACKS
Ryan Crotty
Jack Goodhue
David Havili
Seta Tamanivalu
Sean Wainui
OUTSIDE BACKS
George Bridge
Israel Dagg
Sione Fifita
Mitchell Hunt
Digby Ioane
Jone Macilai
Manasa Mataele
-
It worthwhile reading the squad guides. Just started reading the Crusaders guide and read this about Jone Macilai:
Frustratingly for Macilai, he will be rehabbing for much of this season. It is disappointing that we will miss out on his pace and power on the field, but there is still so much that he can add to the group from off the field with his fantastic personality. Looking forward to seeing him back in the game as soon as possible.http://files.allblacks.com/comms/2016-ISR/2017_ISR_Squad_Naming_Crusaders-PUBLISHED-01.pdf
-
He missed the final game of the M10 Cup, but as with the poor information coming out about our team, didn't even know it was that serious.
-
So gone from last year are:
Alex Hodgman (replaced by Jager)
Ged Robinson (replaced by Makalio)
Jimmy Tupou (replaced by Strange)
Tim Boys (replaced by Bedwell-Curtis)
Andy Ellis (replaced by Hall)
Ben Volavola (replaced by Bateman)
Kieron Fonotia (replaced by Tamanivalu)
Robbie Freuan (replaced by Mataele)
Nemani Nadolo (replaced by Ioane)
Johnny McNicholl (replaced by Bridge)Hodgman was pretty useful, but last year Toddy had four looseheads and only two tightheads, so this is more balanced.
Ged Robinson barely played, so getting a young guy on the way up as the third hooker is probably the way of the future now Taylor is well established. Strange for Tupou probably the same case.
Can't say I know much about Bedwell-Curtis, but I wasn't a big fan of Boys. A bit surprised Razor hasn't signed Billy Harmon.
Andy Ellis had reached his use-by date. I guess there's a likelihood of a signed contract keeping Fukofuka in the squad and Enari out? I would have switched them without question otherwise. Very surprised Enari hasn't appeared elsewhere - hopefully Razor has told him to bide his time.
Volavola out - I daresay not many tears shed by many supporters - Bateman in. Meh - I supp0se we need three first fives and it's got to be an upgrade (hopefully keeping Colin Slade's place warm for 2018). Hopefully, we'll see Hunt playing ahead of both Bateman and McKenzie and doing better than either.
Nadolo and McNicholl will be missed - Fonotia and Freuan, not so much - Tamanivalu an evident upgrade and Robbie was pretty much a foodbill - though I can't say I've noticed Mataele at all.
-
Stuff says Enari will be training with the Crusaders as injury cover for Mitchell Drummond
-
@Chris-B. As @Tim said, Fukofuka had already been re-signed (on 11 May to be precise). For 2 seasons, so through to 2018.
"Andy Ellis had reached his use-by date" sounds rather negative, as if Razor didn't offer him a contract. Ellis decided to retire from SR last year, so it was his choice, not a coach's decision. Ellis was the best of the 2016 Crusader halfbacks and not sure whether Hall is a good enough replacement. But the other two are probably worse.
Bedwell-Curtis had a good season for the Turbos. Not a bad signing and more experienced than Billy Harmon.
-
-
-
-
The Crusaders will be without All Black captain Kieran Read for the start of next season while he recovers from an undisclosed injury.
New coach Scott Robertson made the announcement on Wednesday morning at the franchise's squad naming for next season, but could not say how long he would miss and what for.
"He is out for the first part of Super Rugby, so we will get an injury replacement for him," Robertson said.
"He just needs to get something with an injury, which I can't say, sorted. It's been planned, we were aware of it and we will have cover."
Read regularly wears a wrist brace between matches and will sit out the All Blacks' match against Italy in Rome next weekend.
-
@Tim said in Crusaders 2017:
The Crusaders will be without All Black captain Kieran Read for the start of next season while he recovers from an undisclosed injury.
"He just needs to get something with an injury, which I can't say, sorted. It's been planned, we were aware of it and we will have cover."Undisclosed injury, cant say what it is??
-
@taniwharugby Makes sense if they don't want opposition teams to know what the injury is. Still has some games to play with the ABs.
-
@Stargazer not sure it is a big thing if it is just one of those niggles that plenty of players have...but I guess they have their reasons, and if that's one, as bizaare as it seems.
-
Gutted that Volavola and Fonatia won't be back.
The only major loss is Nadolo, recruiting seems to have been good overall.
