Crusaders 2018
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@cantab79 said in Crusaders 2018:
People can criticise the make-up of the Crusaders squad all they like. The reality is that the Crusaders are operating within the NZRU rules, so if posters have an issue with too many foreign players they should take it up with the NZRU.
Nah. I'll just whinge about it here.
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So, Jed Brown is going to be out for most of the Super season. I was thinking he should be signed as openside cover for Todd and Samu, but I don't think he's crucial enough to warrant signing injured.
Other "in-region" options seem like Manawatu's Bedwell-Curtis (though seemed like he got used more at 6 than 7?); Vern Fredericks (he's playing 7 for the Mako$ this year, but that's a new development - he's more an 8/6 to my mind); Billy Harmon; Ethan Blackadder.
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Not sure I like the idea of Delaney hogging a spot in the squad for the entire season. I'd have thought Tim Bateman would do just as good a job as an injury crisis 10 in a one-off week.
If Mo'unga or Hunt were to be injured for longer than that, then you call in Delaney or Breen or Christie to the squad.
I'd hate to see us lose Will Jordan or Josh McKay just so that Delaney can play club rugby in Christchurch at the Crusaders' expense.
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Blues should have taken Delaney after black went down
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@muddyriver Maybe they'll get Beaver?
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If Delaney is going to the Crusaders and Marty McKenzie is available he would be a reasonable option to replace Black.
He has a good combination with Perofeta at Taranaki where they swap between 10 & 15. The Blues could copy that and not use Collins..
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@kiwimurph probably be a good guy to have to mentor the young guys...otherwise is a lot of inexperience in that inside channel at the Blues.
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@taniwharugby I personally think that is overrated. The Blues 10s need game time to develop. Blues had similar thoughts when they signed Jimmy Cowan a few years back on the back of strong Mitre 10 Cup form - that didn't work.
Anyway back to the thread - Crusaders look like they will have a very settled and deep squad. They could be a real chance at the first repeat Super titles since the Chiefs of 2012-13.
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@kiwimurph What will probably hurt the Crusaders most is the unavailability of Moody and Franks until some time in May (and to a lesser extent Dagg's injury). Crockett and Ala'alato are fine replacements; I'm not so sure about the players who take their spots on the bench though.
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@kiwimurph fair enough...I wasn't meaning specifically at 10 either, if Pulu and/or SBW aren't there you end up with a very inexperienced 9/10/12 axis.
Having someone in the background is always a good thing, Dan Bowden said playing alongside Holwell was invaluable for him (years ago) and his learning (given Bowden saw himself more as a 10)
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@stargazer said in Crusaders 2018:
@kiwimurph What will probably hurt the Crusaders most is the unavailability of Moody and Franks until some time in May (and to a lesser extent Dagg's injury). Crockett and Ala'alato are fine replacements; I'm not so sure about the players who take their spots on the bench though.
Apparently Ollie Jager is pretty good ...
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The Crusaders squad for 2018 has been announced. I have added the position where I think they'll most likely to play, even though they may officially also be capable of playing in other positions:
CRUSADERS SQUAD
PROPS
Michael Alaalatoa
Wyatt Crockett
Owen Franks
Oliver Jager
Joe Moody
Tim PerryHOOKERS
Ben Funnell
Andrew Makalio
Codie TaylorLOCKS
Scott Barrett
Luke Romano
Quinten Strange
Sam WhitelockLOOSE FORWARDS
Ethan Blackadder
Mitchell Dunshea
Billy Harmon
Kieran Read
Pete Samu
Tom Sanders
Jordan Taufua
Matt ToddHALFBACKS
Mitchell Drummond
Bryn Hall
Jack StrattonFIRST FIVE-EIGHTHS
Mike Delany
Mitchell Hunt
Richie Mo'ungaMIDFIELD BACKS
Tim Bateman
Ryan Crotty
Jack GoodhueOUTSIDE BACKS
George Bridge
Israel Dagg
Braydon Ennor
David Havili
Will Jordan
Jone Macilai
Manasa Mataele
Seta TamanivaluJed Brown (injured)
Ethan Blackadder
Heiden Bedwell-Curtis Billy Harmon
Leon Fukofuka Ere Enari (injured) Jack Stratton
Marty McKenzie Mike Delaney
Sean Wainui, Sione Fifita, Digby Ioane Braydon Ennor, Will Jordanhttp://crusaders.co.nz/news/1158-seven-new-names-in-2018-bnz-crusaders-squad
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So with Read a likely non-starter and Taufua still recovering from his broken arm in the early rounds we might need to call up Whetu Douglas to cover No 8 again!
... or more seriously - and in a similar vein - I'd be happy to get Jordan Manihera involved for those early rounds.
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Happy enough with that squad. Only hope Delaney is there for a mentoring role and not to actually play any games...
