Who's gonna catch your eyes in the 2018 SR ?
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I expect much from Alaimalo (Northland and Chiefs). He could win an Israel Folau look alike contest. He is one to watch IMO.
Alex Fidow will probably be on the Hurricanes bench : I expect him to cause havoc with his bullocking runs against tiring defences. His scrummaging has improved but it was only the Mitre 10 Cup. Let's see how he can scrummage against stronger opponents.
Sam Lousi was a revelation in the 2017 SR. If he can confirm, the gates into the AB squad for June 2018 could be open for him.
Will Jordan is all class. If he could play a few games, it would be good for his progression.
Atu Moli : will the Chiefs move him to the loose head where his AB future might lay ?
Jack Goodhue : this is an all important year for him. The AB midfield has not work smoothly this year. He has about three months to prove he can take the job.
Richie Mounga : will he leapfrog Lima Sopoaga as BB's deputy ? -
@cgrant said in Who's gonna catch your eyes in the 2018 SR ?:
I expect much from Alaimalo (Northland and Chiefs). He could win an Israel Folau look alike contest. He is one to watch IMO.
Alex Fidow will probably be on the Hurricanes bench : I expect him to cause havoc with his bullocking runs against tiring defences. His scrummaging has improved but it was only the Mitre 10 Cup. Let's see how he can scrummage against stronger opponents.
Sam Lousi was a revelation in the 2017 SR. If he can confirm, the gates into the AB squad for June 2018 could be open for him.
Will Jordan is all class. If he could play a few games, it would be good for his progression.
Atu Moli : will the Chiefs move him to the loose head where his AB future might lay ?
Jack Goodhue : this is an all important year for him. The AB midfield has not work smoothly this year. He has about three months to prove he can take the job.
Richie Mounga : will he leapfrog Lima Sopoaga as BB's deputy ?Will also be interesting to see if Fatialofa returns as good as he was.
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I would think that Asafo Aumua will be keenly viewed at the Hurricanes, although I would expect only 20-25 minute sub roles behind Coles, but that is okay for his development - he will only be 21 next year.
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@cgrant like the look of the rest of it, but a big nope to the last bit.
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@number-10 said in Who's gonna catch your eyes in the 2018 SR ?:
I would think that Asafo Aumua will be keenly viewed at the Hurricanes, although I would expect only 20-25 minute sub roles behind Coles, but that is okay for his development - he will only be 21 next year.
I don't think they'll discard Riccitelli that easily, but the battle behind Coles will be interesting.
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@stargazer
Braydon Ennor might continue to catch the eye of more than just the Canterbury mob.
Outside centre is one position where we are a bit light at the highest level. -
@centreman Unless there are injuries, Ennor may struggle to get game time for the Crusaders in the same way Jonah Lowe didn't get game time at the Canes last year. Jonah is a great centre/wing at Mitre 10 Cup level - just like he was for NZU20s in 2016, but is still waiting to get an opportunity at SR level. Not sure whether the queue is much shorter at the Crusaders.
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Stephen Perofeta will likely get his shot at the big time this year with Otere Black out. Staring 10, playing outside captain Pulu at 9 and inside SBW at 12 (if fit). Perofeta has had a year in the Blues system so 2018 looks the ideal time to unleash him.
I'd also keep an eye out for midfielder Thomas Umaga-Jensen at the Highlanders - the size speed and nous of that kid for a youngster was really impressive for Wellington in the Mitre 10 Cup.
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I am expecting big things from Taleni Seu this season. Would love to see more of Ennor and Aumua but worried they will not get much match time for their franchise, given the depth in both positions.
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Alex Fidow. He gets a hard time on here but he's improving every time I see him and view him as a future AB.
I'm also interested to see how the Blues use Stephen Perofeta. I wouldn't be suprised if the Blues start with Gatland and have Perofeta playing 20-25 minute cameos which I think will suit him to start the season off.
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@kiwimurph Unfortunately Thomas Umaga Jensen has just had surgery on a shoulder injury he picked up in the Mitre ten cup, so he's out of action until April. Which is a real shame as he looks like he has loads of potential
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Michael Collins.
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@bones said in Who's gonna catch your eyes in the 2018 SR ?:
Michael Collins.
The prop or the fullback?
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@booboo what's a prop?
We have 2 aging fullbacks and two who everyone else want to shift positions. We desperately need someone else to stand up...
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@bones said in Who's gonna catch your eyes in the 2018 SR ?:
Michael Collins.
The new Chiefs CEO? Makes sense. All eyes will be on the end of year function.
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I can honestly say the super whatever final was on the screens in the gym the other day and i was watching the screen because I had forgotten who won. This current iteration is just so forgettable
The Australians will catch my eye, and to a lessor extent the saffers. Because if they both suck again the concept is doomed. And then eventually so are we
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@mariner4life The Aussie teams will be better.
The Rebels are a lot stronger on paper thanks to picking up players from the Force and also picking up the best Aussie Super coach Wessels.
The Reds meanwhile should be much better off with Thorn as coach (who had some impressive results with QLD Country) instead of that fat fuck Stiles.
Tahs have brought in Simon Cron (yes that Cron clan) who coached Norths to the Sydney club title.
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@mariner4life said in Who's gonna catch your eyes in the 2018 SR ?:
I can honestly say the super whatever final was on the screens in the gym the other day and i was watching the screen because I had forgotten who won.
You what???!!!!
I know that us Crusaders fans have behaved with extreme grace and humility, but this is ridiculous!!!!
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@chris-b look. I was as surprised as you. First it took me a while to work out it was the final. And then i realised i couldn't remember the result (it was the first time i had actually seen the game)
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@mariner4life said in Who's gonna catch your eyes in the 2018 SR ?:
(it was the first time i had actually seen the game)
Now this part I can accept.
BUT...a fucking Chiefs' fan would dare to turn up on this fucking bored and dare to claim that he can't fucking remember who won....
You're right...Super rugby is fucked unless this is the dawn of a new era...an era like the old one where only the classy team(s) would win.
But, what most upsets me is that fucker @canerbry. Lounging on New Brighton beach, sipping a Wigram Mustang APA, and re-reading "Grizz the Legend". Immersed in Gifford's witty repartee he's turned his bat signal off. Collected his Christmas bonus - "haha my work's done for the year mate".
Fucking millennials - no work ethic!
My New Years is already ruined!
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Just a forgettable crusaders outfit i guess.
Learn to win with panache and just maybe people will bother to remember them
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@chris-b I was more surprised he was at the gym!
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@rocky-rockbottom is that the only NZ team to not win a title this decade?
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@bones said in Who's gonna catch your eyes in the 2018 SR ?:
@rocky-rockbottom is that the only NZ team to not win a title this decade?
You are just fucking cruel. You did that to hurt people - all be it true and make me laugh.
I am starting a thread on rats tails and chick peas, and people who like them should be banned.
Oh, and the word "approach".
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@snowy your head is in the clouds mate!
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@taniwharugby said in Who's gonna catch your eyes in the 2018 SR ?:
@chris-b I was more surprised he was at the gym!
He's doing it wrong he should ask for his money back.
I think Fidow and Aumua will be the best running front row combo since Os Du Randt and Naka Drotske back in the the day.
Check out the bumping off his own teammate, running over Pailate Fili then the beautiful offload. SBW ain't got shit on him.
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The 2003 Blues are the super team i remember most fondly. Panache as fuck.
Followed by the fun back to back chiefs
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@mariner4life said in Who's gonna catch your eyes in the 2018 SR ?:
The 2003 Blues are the super team i remember most fondly. Panache as fuck.
Followed by the fun back to back chiefs
@mariner4life said in Who's gonna catch your eyes in the 2018 SR ?:
The 2003 Blues are the super team i remember most fondly. Panache as fuck.
Followed by the fun back to back chiefs
Old mate Rupeni beat 3 wallabies in one run in the blues vs brumbies. Oh the memories.
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@rocky-rockbottom He really made a fool of Mauger that night.
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@mn5 beat 3 players? No way, that's so many!
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@bones said in Who's gonna catch your eyes in the 2018 SR ?:
@mn5 beat 3 players? No way, that's so many!
Piss off ragtop. At least I remember it.
