Super Rugby News
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Black, Gatland bolster squad and Ihaia West going to the Hurricanes
The Blues have bolstered their inside back stocks with the signing of two young players, Otere Black and Bryn Gatland for the Investec Super Rugby competition. Black, 22, who played for the New Zealand Maoris and New Zealand Under-20s, has been part of the Hurricanes for two years as back-up to Beauden Barrett. Gatland, also 22, was a key part of North Harbour’s success in the Mitre 10 Cup and played four times for the Blues as a replacement this season. He also played for the NZ Provincial Barbarians in the tour opener against the British and Irish Lions. Black has signed until 2019 and Gatland for one year. Blues Head Coach Tana Umaga said the acquisition of two young players to partner outstanding prospect Stephen Perofeta is exciting for the club. “Otere is a young player of considerable talent. I had the pleasure of coaching him with the New Zealand Under-20s at the World Cup where he played a big part in that win,” Umaga said. “He is an accomplished first-five and will be a valuable addition to our young group of first-fives. “Bryn impressed us when he came into the Blues this year with his ability and a level of maturity beyond his years. He showed with his performance against the Lions that he can rise to the big occasion.” The opportunities for inside backs have come with Piers Francis, who made his debut for England recently, to return home to play for Northampton Saints and Hawkes Bay first-five Ihaia West moving south to replace Black at the Hurricanes. “Piers has brought a very professional attitude to our team while Ihaia, who came to this club under a real spotlight, has been a excellent contributor on and off the field. Both will be assets to their new teams and we wish them well.” Black, who has played 31 times for Manawatu and 17 caps for the Hurricanes, has decided to move to the Blues to further his career opportunities. “It was a hard decision for me to decide to leave the Hurricanes,” said Black. “The team has been a big part of my life and has shaped me to be who I am today as a player. I owe the coaching group, the players and the staff a great deal,” Black said. “I am excited about the chance to be part of such an exciting playing group at the Blues and I am looking forward to working with Tana again. “There are no guarantees but I hope to make the Blues 10 jumper my own and I am looking forward to all the challenges that come with that.” -
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I'm pretty happy to get West. He's a good impact player, plus the Canes have plenty of cover at 10 with the Barrett brothers.
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I'm not sure what benefit it is having first fives who are older in years - the likes of Francis and Noakes were in their mid 20s when they played for the Blues - that didn't exactly help. I'd much rather have talented youngsters to take a punt on than mediocre 'veterans'
Black has had a number of seasons in the Super Rugby environment, multiple ITM Cup campaigns, steered the U20s to the world title. He's ready.
For what it's worth I think this is a win win for the Blues and Canes. Ihaia West for me looks best as an impact 10 off the bench. I can see it now - the media claiming next season that Ihaia is another Blues player that 'got away' after he carves up off the bench when in reality he's been brilliant off the bench in a number of games this season for the Blues. Where he struggles is steering a team as the starting 10. Blues are better off having Perofeta on the bench as he may develop into something special. I'm also happy Gatland is on a one year deal as that gives Blues flexibility.
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@No-Quarter said in Super Rugby News:
I'm pretty happy to get West. He's a good impact player, plus the Canes have plenty of cover at 10 with the Barrett brothers.
I think this is great! I've never thought the Blues were the right team for West and I think he'll go better at the Canes, having a better 10 to learn from (there was never a good senior 10 at the Blues to help his development at SR level). I hope he gets enough game time off the bench next year.
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Agree @Stargazer - Happy to see Otere get more game time. Don't think we saw the best of him against the Lions. Not sure if was the break or quality of opposition but he didn't look overly flash last night. But he's made some really good contributions to the Canes and is superior to the Blues (current) options.
West will go great guns for us - his eye for the gap and pace will be deadly when running off our guys. Plus we've got a few backs that can share the play maker role which is vastly different to the Blues where they were limited if they didn't have Piers at 2nd five (when West was at 1st 5).
How solid did Jordie look at 1st 5 last night? I know the game shifted between halves but we looked better with him than with Otere.
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@Paekakboyz Yeah, having a second playmaker like Jordie Barrett makes a huge difference for him. As does TJP inside.
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I just checked my (incomplete) list of player signings and according to that list, at least, the following players are coming off contract this year and still have to sign a new one (unless they have done so without it getting any publicity):
Pita Akhi (Hurricanes)
Gerard Cowley-Tuioti (Blues)
Ryan Crotty (Crusaders)
Ash Dixon (Highlanders)
Matt Duffie (Blues)?
Jason Emery (Highlanders)
Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders)
Tom Franklin (Highlanders)
Josh Goodhue (Blues)
Kayne Hammington (Highlanders)
Oliver Jager (Crusaders)?
Cory Jane (Hurricanes)
Bryn Hall (Crusaders)
Kane Hames (Chiefs)
Ngani Laumape (Hurricanes)
Tevita Li (Highlanders)
Jonah Lowe (Hurricanes)
Sione Mafileo (Blues)
Pauliasi Manu (Blues)?
George Moala (Blues)?
Atu Moli (Chiefs)
James Parsons (Blues)
TJ Perenara (Hurricanes)
Tim Perry (Crusaders)
Sam Prattley (Blues)
Matt Proctor (Hurricanes)
Dan Pryor (Highlanders)
Scott Scrafton (Blues)
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Hurricanes)
Seta Tamanivalu (Crusaders)
Jonathan Taumateine (Chiefs)
Brad Weber (Chiefs)
Joey Wheeler (Highlanders)I'm also not sure of the contract status of Waisake Naholo.
Does anyone have any updates, preferably with a link to a source?
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@KiwiMurph I hope he's giving the Wallabies a discount.
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@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby News:
Tahs defense coach Nathan Grey departing at the end of the season - will be full time Wallaby defence coach
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@Stargazer I thought Josh Goodhue had signed for 2 years when he signed midway through 2016 for the 2017 season, but the article I found doesn't have a time frame.
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@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby News:
Tahs scrum/forwards coach Cam Blades departing at the end of the season.
Tahs defense coach Nathan Grey departing at the end of the season - will be full time Wallaby defence coach
Norths and Aussie 20's Head Coach Simon Cron to join the Tahs as Assistant Coach.
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@KiwiMurph Hahaha yes we'll get many articles about it from idiots like Hamish Bidwell and Mel Robinson will continue to bring it up in conversation.
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@antipodean said in Super Rugby News:
@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby News:
Tahs defense coach Nathan Grey departing at the end of the season - will be full time Wallaby defence coach
Nathan Grey has been "Haddocked"!!!
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@Tim said in Super Rugby News:
@KiwiMurph I hope he's giving the Wallabies a discount.
Can you imagine his CV?
- so far in 2017 only the Sunwolves, Cheetahs and Rebels have let more tries in than my defensive systems. Even the Force, Reds and Kings have a better defence.
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@Crucial said in Super Rugby News:
@Tim said in Super Rugby News:
@KiwiMurph I hope he's giving the Wallabies a discount.
Can you imagine his CV?
- so far in 2017 only the Sunwolves, Cheetahs and Rebels have let more tries in than my defensive systems. Even the Force, Reds and Kings have a better defence.
This picture should help you further understand the defensive systems I employ.
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@KiwiMurph said in Super Rugby News:
I'm not sure what benefit it is having first fives who are older in years - the likes of Francis and Noakes were in their mid 20s when they played for the Blues - that didn't exactly help. I'd much rather have talented youngsters to take a punt on than mediocre 'veterans'
100%. Is 22 even old in first-five years?
I've been banging the drum for a while - but first fives pretty much are what they are at 21/2. All our best 10s were starting ABs before 22, even most of the good ones.
Ones that weren't carried the same flaws and idiosyncrasies throughout their career.
Unless the player isn't getting any game time, is part of a dysfunctional system or has been playing out of position - why expect them to improve?
They have one young 10 and two veterans for next year as far as I can tell.
