Super rugby omissions

[Chris B.]

So who are the biggest misses?

From the reigning Mitre 10 Cup champions the biggest omission is Kane Hames. Might mean he is done?

I think Tim Perry's retirement from Super rugby was pretty clearly foreshadowed.

Those I thought might be realistic shots were Tima Fainga'anuku, Isaac Salmon, Sam Moli, Te Ahiwaru Cirikadaveta and Big Levi Aumua. Levi gets dropped from the Blues and to be fair, he didn't show much form over the latter half of the M10 Cup.

[antipodean]

Kane Hames is only 31? Seems awfully young for a prop to retire. Could it be injury enforced?

[Chris B.]

@antipodean He's been out with supposedly a concussion for 18 months.

[ARHS]

Don't recall these contenders in passing - but may be wrong: Trainor, Hauiti-Parepare, M Jacobson, T Vaai, Garland, Norris, Vella, Henwood, Lansdown, McClutchie, Andre Taylor, McDowall, McKee, M McKenzie.

[Tim]

I was wondering if someone would pick up Tikoirotuma. Likewise Luteru Tolai.

[Stargazer]

From the Magpies:

• Lincoln McClutchie, the most notable omission. Just can't believe he didn't get a contract. Geez. Now in Japan to play there until May 2020. I really hope he comes back to give it another shot next year.
• Kianu Kereru-Symes (to be fair, he didn't get enough game time to claim a SR spot; Ash Dixon had a fantastic season);
• Geoff Cridge (he didn't break this season; the Highlanders might give him a call if Selby-Rickit has to be let go);
• Tom Parsons; like McClutchie, off to Japan until May 2020, because he didn't get a SR contract. Has been knocking on that SR door for a few seasons now.
• Caleb Makene, was a great addition to our squad this year. Wouldn't have been a like-for-like replacement of Rayasi, but would have been a good signing for the Canes in his absence.

[Tim]

Bay of Plenty's starting hooker?

[cgrant]

Vaa'i's omission is odd since the big locks stocks are very thin.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Tim Age most likely against Tikoirotuma, he's 33. I expect Tolai to be in the Blues wtg.

[Higgins]

@Daffy-Jaffy He can't be that old. I can remember him ripping it up for Wanganui before he defected to Manawatu. It doesn't seem that long ago which makes it hard to believe he is in his mid thirties.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Higgins Harbours website does not list his age but Wiki says 33.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Tim Nathan Vella - seems to be like Matt Matich. No one selects them in a squad then they get called into various teams to cover injuries.

[mikey07]

Kemara Hauiti-Parapara Had a pretty decent Mitre 10 cup for Wellington

[sparky]

What's happened to Niko Jones?

[Stargazer]

@sparky He's on a sevens contract.

[Duluth]

@sparky said in Super rugby omissions:

What's happened to Niko Jones?

He has a NZ 7's contract but has been injured a lot

[Bovidae]

There are a few hookers who missed out. Liam Polwart is one, although he is another with some concussion issues. Like Vella, Greg Pleasants-Tate could have offered an experienced 3rd choice.

[Hooroo]

Is Adam Thompson an omission (Not contracted elsewhere?) Is this a surprise?

[mikey07]

@Hooroo nah not really not to be disrespectful but he’s had his time

[Stargazer]

@Hooroo I can see him as part of coaches' emergency planning. Or the Sunwolves. Or Rapid Rugby. I'm not sure he has the ambition to return to SR either.