Crusaders 2020

[cgrant]

They should sign Tamaiti Williams, at least in their Development team. He's a huge prospect and once his scrummaging technique is improved, he'll be a great player.

[Stargazer]

If Hunt is really leaving, the Crusaders need to find a good back-up 10. I don't think Cameron is the answer and I also don't think Fergus Burke is a better prospect. It's unfortunate that there are so few promising 10s in NZ; all franchises are fishing in the same small pond (although I can think of one ).

I agree with @Chris that loose forward is a position they need to recruit well. I wonder whether Sanders is still under contract; I feel sorry for the man, but he's always injured and he didn't impress in the few games he played. They'd better spend the money on someone who can play well and regularly.

Oh, and Chris, you may be right about Mataele being signed. He posted this on instagram:

[chchfanatic]

@cgrant he’s on a 3 yr crusaders academy scholarship already

[Chris]

@Stargazer I think sanders has just finished his 2nd year of his 2 year contract so they may need to replace him as well

[Stargazer]

Photo on Jack Goodhue's instagram of all the departing players. So that confirms that, indeed, Mitch Hunt and Ben Funnell are leaving as well.

[Chris]

@Stargazer
I don't understand why Hunt is leaving the Crusaders to potentially take up the same role on the bench behind Ioane. on 2019 form you would think Josh Ioane will be the starting First Five in 2020, It seems weird to swap the Crusaders for what probably will be a development team(no disrespect to the Highlanders but fact) which may struggle in 2020.

[Stargazer]

@Chris Yeah, although he's likely to get more game time behind Ioane than behind Mo'unga. Very often, Mo'unga was subbed off within the last 10 minutes of the game, esp in the tight games. At the Landers, he'll probably get more minutes and more starts as well, even if he's still the deputy.

[Duluth]

@Chris

The rumours about Hunt going to the Highlanders have been around for months. Maybe he signed before Josh Ioane had his run of good form?

[Chris]

@Duluth
Yeah that could be it. In hindsight it may not now look as a good of move as he first thought.

[Chris]

@Stargazer Yeah Thats possible,Mounga could also get injured then he's starting , same at the Landers of course but I would think he would rather start in The Crusaders team than the Highlanders.

[Bovidae]

Hunt can also play fullback so has as much chance to start as McKay.

[Yeetyaah]

@Chris Could potentially not be the Landers though, just a rumor, was also rumored that Will Jordan was going south. Hunt could be heading north for all we know. He could fit in alright at the Canes or Chiefs as BB will probably take a sabbatical and Chiefs might not have Debreczeni next year (though I hope they do).

[Chris]

@Yeetyaah Well that would make more sense to me

[chchfanatic]

The guy I spoke to at semi final said hunt is definitely going to highlanders.Hunt wasn’t wanted at the crusaders.
He also said they have signed some stars. Hopefully Akira. Be great to see what he can do out of Auckland

[Chris]

@chchfanatic
wow that’s interesting Makes the mind do flip flops wondering who

[Chris]

@chchfanatic Is that the Highlanders or Crusaders who have signed some stars ?

[Yeetyaah]

@chchfanatic Akira is already signed on until 2021. Probably Frizzel.

[chchfanatic]

@Chris highlanders. The only star I know of is the all black prop. Who I presumed was nepo. But he said it’s ofa.

[Chris]

@chchfanatic Ofa was rumoured to have signed for the Crusaders ??
Maybe Jordie Barrett is going to the Highlanders like mentioned on the Fern by someone

[Stargazer]

Rumours are just rumours. I think we've already discussed possible moves from Jordie and Ofa to death on other threads, and basically none of us has a clue about what is true and what isn't. Hopefully, both the Crusaders and Highlanders will make some announcements soon.