Unlucky Players not to get a SR Contract
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I wonder if Evans was signed prior to Mitre 10 Cup?
That's happened before - a few years ago Blues signed Hoani Matenga prior to Mitre 10 Cup and then Auckland ended up having a good Mitre 10 Cup season with a really strong locking performance by Fatialofa but Blues didn't have a spot for him so he ended up going to the Canes.
Signing journeymen prior to Mitre 10 Cup is a flawed strategy.
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@KiwiMurph said in Unlucky Players not to get a SR Contract:
I wonder if Evans was signed prior to Mitre 10 Cup?
you'd have expected it to get out at some point, always someone in the know that finds these things out.
That said, if they did, makes them even dumber for not waiting to pick up a form lock that might emerge
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@KiwiMurph said in Unlucky Players not to get a SR Contract:
Signing journeymen prior to Mitre 10 Cup is a flawed strategy.
I agree, but this year was more difficult than normal. There was a possibility the NPC would be interrupted/cancelled
That would've created an incentive to settle on a squad quicker and leave even less spots open for NPC form
I wonder if that explains some unusual selections (eg no one picking Choat)
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@KiwiMurph said in Unlucky Players not to get a SR Contract:
I wonder if Evans was signed prior to Mitre 10 Cup?
Signing journeymen prior to Mitre 10 Cup is a flawed strategy.
He only had about twenty or so games for the Hurricanes and did nothing to really set the world on fire in the three years he was there. It would be a surprise if he has improved any in the ten years since he left to play for London Irish. He must be in his mid to late thirties by now. Perhaps there might be a Super Rugby Presidents Grade being developed with the aim to get it up and running in a couple of years? He must have been signed up to prevent other franchises getting their hands on him for that grade!
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@Bovidae said in Unlucky Players not to get a SR Contract:
It's even worse when the Highlanders already had 2 locks in their system (Whetton and Tucker). Tucker is still available.
Whetton was only injury cover or WTG or something and we don't know he didn't sign up with the Tahs first looking for more start
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He was named in the Premiership team of the decade awhile back - and the Premiership has had some good locks. It has to count for something. Though it might've been partially based on longevity rather than a couple of particularly dominant seasons
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@sparky said in Unlucky Players not to get a SR Contract:
Niko Jones and Anton Segner both have massive future ahead of them IMHO. I am sure they will be involved in Super Rugby next year as development players and might even get some game time.
I haven't seen enough of Jones yet to see what he brings to the table. I recall around the same stage in his career his dad was not the biggest, but he was stronger than the average loosie with some good pace. Guessing the young fella is similar with his sevens background.
I think Segner is going to be a scary beast.
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@Crazy-Horse yea I dont think Jones is upto it yet, talented for sure but still looks a ways off, but Segner looks class.
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@Bovidae said in Unlucky Players not to get a SR Contract:
No, they are separate to the main squad of 38.
The WTG players aren't often named, so you need to check out trainings/preseason to see who is involved.
Another fine example of how NZR and SR teams keep their fans engaged
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@Machpants The team's instagram/FB page will often have photos too. But an official media release wouldn't be too much to ask for.
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@Bovidae said in Unlucky Players not to get a SR Contract:
@Machpants The team's instagram/FB page will often have photos too. But an official media release wouldn't be too much to ask for.
Yeah and official updates, weekly about injuries etc, during the season. It just shows how shit NZ rugby is at this. So far behind, and losing engagement, apart from hard core old fluffybunnies who are happy to compile their own lists!
