Blues v Crusaders
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<p>From <span>Patrick McKendry -</span> NZ Herald.</p>
<p>Adding a sense of intrigue to the traditional grudge match between the Blues and Crusaders at Eden Park tomorrow night is the <span style="color:rgb(255,0,0);">impending departure of halfback Bryn Hall to the southerners.</span></p>
<p>Hall, out of favour and on the reserves' bench for the Blues tomorrow, will take advantage of Andy Ellis' retirement from Super Rugby and look to resurrect his career at the Crusaders.</p>
<p>With Augustine Pulu set to arrive at the Blues from the Chiefs next season, and Billy Guyton slipping ahead in the pecking order, <span style="color:rgb(255,0,0);">there is no room for Hall at the Blues but he will back himself to thrive in Christchurch alongside Mitchell Drummond.</span></p>
<p>The 24-year-old hasn't reached the heights that were perhaps expected of him after a breakout 2014 when he overtook Piri Weepu for the No9 jersey. Then, he was a menace with the ball, but injury, including a fractured foot, hit his ambitions.</p>
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<p>The development of Drummond, 22, at the Crusaders has been reasonably rapid but he has been forced to take more of a back seat this season because of the form of Ellis.</p>
<p>Drummond will likely be the No1 halfback next season but Hall will be given every chance to challenge him.</p>
<p>Guyton started for the Blues against the Crusaders - for whom he played for a season - in round two in Christchurch when coach Tana Umaga's men were soundly beaten up front and gets another opportunity after starting in last weekend's victory over the Force in Perth.</p>
<p>That 17-13 win at nib Stadium - in which the Blues were clinging on to the lead on their own line at the final whistle - contrasted with the Crusaders' 29-10 victory over the Waratahs in the rain in Christchurch</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="582949" data-time="1464236899"><p>
from what I hear, the signs are promising, if it happens, it is a while off yet anyway and plenty can change; whether any move is just for Mitre 10 as well as Super rugby is the bigger question I suspect, if his brother is offered another Blues contract, who knows</p></blockquote>
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Spoke to current northland coach Dale McLeod today at Christchurch club rugby.<br><br>
Reckons Goodhue will play for northland in NPC but is committed to staying down here and playing for the crusaders -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="583467" data-time="1464412987">
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<p>Spoke to current northland coach Dale McLeod today at Christchurch club rugby.<br><br>
Reckons Goodhue will play for northland in NPC but is committed to staying down here and playing for the crusaders</p>
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<p>pretty much what I heard, expect Josh to accept a Super contract next time he is offered one, seems to have his head screwed on though, knocked back an NPC one first time he was offered one, then a Super one as he didnt feel he was physically ready.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="583485" data-time="1464420772"><p>Oh great, "TJ" and Justin Marshall. It was so much nicer listening to last nights game with them absent.</p></blockquote>
So far we've had Marshall talking about George Crotty vs George Moala and TJ saying "the ball is still there for the all blacks" when the Crusaders recycled. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="583487" data-time="1464421623">
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<p>So far we've had Marshall talking about George Crotty vs George Moala and TJ saying "the ball is still there for the all blacks" when the Crusaders recycled.</p>
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<p>It's TJ, he was probably day dreaming about the days of the Cantablacks. His delight when Nadalo scored made Smithy seem unbiased when the Magpies won the Shield. :)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="583490" data-time="1464422173">
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<p>It's TJ, he was probably day dreaming about the days of the Cantablacks. His delight when Nadalo scored made Smithy seem unbiased when the Magpies won the Shield. :)</p>
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<p>Not to mention Meg's quip about "Naholo" - Nadolo/Naholo they're the same aren't they?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="583490" data-time="1464422173"><p>It's TJ, he was probably day dreaming about the days of the Cantablacks. His delight when Nadalo scored made Smithy seem unbiased when the Magpies won the Shield. :)</p></blockquote>
I knew you'd be all over that one!<br><br>
I think Marshall is stoned. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tordah" data-cid="583492" data-time="1464422329">
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<p>has Owen Franks ever made meters with the ball in hand? I appreciate the other parts of his game, but he must be the worst ball runner in Super Rugby. More like a ball catcher-and-flopper</p>
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<p>He's quite a compact guy (relatively for a big prop playing pro rugby of course) so you'd think he could put his head down and make some metres.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crash" data-cid="583493" data-time="1464422645">
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<p>Not to mention Meg's quip about "Naholo" - Nadolo/Naholo they're the same aren't they?</p>
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<p>TBF, he did realise his mistake fairly quickly and corrected it, Nisbett probably doesn't even realise when he mixes up brown players.</p>
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<p>The new rugby game on PS4 has Nisbett and Marhsall commentating. :ireful:</p> -
<p>Matt Duffie is 2016's version of 2010 Luke Rooney</p>
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Barrett is good isn't he? Did he steal Beaudan's food when they were kids?
