Former schoolboy Superstar leaving NRL: Heading To The Canes
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<p>Great news for Hurricanes fans. Nelson Asofa Solomona is aparantly in secret talks with the NZRU and it is likely he will head back to Wellington, with the Lions and Canes. </p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/77969150/new-zealand-rugby-reportedly-in-secret-talks-to-sign-kiwi-league-prospect-nelson-asofasolomona'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/77969150/new-zealand-rugby-reportedly-in-secret-talks-to-sign-kiwi-league-prospect-nelson-asofasolomona</a></p>
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Who the fuck is that?
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<p>Hes probably the biggest, most athletic player to hit school rugby since Jonah Lomu. Melbourne Storm signed him up at a young age but now he wants to return home and chase a All Black jersey that he will no doubt get if he keeps his head down and works hard. The guy is a super talent and could take Hurricanes rugby to a whole new level.</p>
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<p>With school super-stars Peter Umaga Jensen and Alex Fidow already in the Hurricanes family other N.Z teams may have trouble keeping up with this franchise in the next few years. </p>
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<p>If Fidow, Asofa Solomona, Coles, Fifita, The Savea Bros, Skudder, Laumape and Barrett all grace the field at the same time then there could be some serious problems for opposition defenses. :good1:</p>
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<p>Where will Nelson fit though. Is he a lock or an 8??</p>
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<p>Here is a background video before he left to Melbourne a few years ago.</p>
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Ah, so you over-egged it. He's played 12 games, scored 1 try, and can't make the team. <br><br>
Colour me unimpressed -
All good to talk him up but if you are a regular Nrl follower and you are struggling to remember who this guy is "Superstar" is seriously over doing it. Super is reserved for Thurston, Tuivasa-Sheck or Inglis. This guy isnt even a known quantity. Also Im not sure high school players warrant being called super-stars either.<br><br>
I am not here to take the piss. I love the enthusiasm you have for grass roots rugby and the hurricanes but this thread needs a name change.<br><br>
"Failed NRL prospect throws lot in with Canes" for example.<br><br>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="565013" data-time="1458129169"><br><div><br><p>Hes probably the biggest, most athletic player to hit school rugby since Jonah Lomu. Melbourne Storm signed him up at a young age but now he wants to return home and chase <strong>a All Black jersey that he will no doubt get if he keeps his head down and works hard</strong>. The guy is a super talent and could take Hurricanes rugby to a whole new level.</p>
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<p>With school super-stars Peter Umaga Jensen and Alex Fidow already in the Hurricanes family <strong>other N.Z teams may have trouble keeping up with this franchise in the next few years. </strong></p>
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<p><strong>If Fidow, Asofa Solomona, Coles, Fifita, The Savea Bros, Skudder and Barrett all grace the field at the same time then there could be some serious problems for opposition defenses.</strong></p>
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<p>Where will Nelson fit though. Is he a lock or an 8??</p>
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<p>Here is a background video before he left to Melbourne a few years ago.</p>
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<p><img src="http://media2.giphy.com/media/Fml0fgAxVx1eM/giphy.gif" alt="giphy.gif"></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="565014" data-time="1458129403">
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<p>Ah, so you over-egged it. He's played 12 games, scored 1 try, and can't make the team.<br><br>
Colour me unimpressed</p>
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<p>For a forward, he may have an athleticism that requires more to shine than simply running forward upright into a defensive line.</p> -
<p>If any of you watched Sky Sport College Rugby you would know who this guy is. He was named NRL under 20 player of the year last year and he was meant to have a big future in the game. Its funny how players are getting bored of League with its "run it straight", "crash it up" bullshit. Nelson has pace to burn for such a big guy and he probably doesn't fit the mold of Melbourne - where they have structures put in place. I watched a few of his cameos last year and he man handled some of the top NRL players. I'm optimistic that if he does make the switch back to Rugby he can be a massive force in our game. </p>
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I know who he is, he faced the Warriors once. Superstar he is def. not. Big fucker tho.
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<p>I don't see much skills in those highlights TBH just a big guy running over skinny amateur schoolboys. Need more than that to make it in professional sport where all the players bulk and muscle up. If he is still physically bigger and professional in his approach to training he might stand a decent chance of making it as a professional rugby player.</p>
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<p>Why are the Storm no putting up much of a fight for him or other NRL clubs smashing down the door to sign him with all their TV rights money?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="565079" data-time="1458164464">
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<p>where will he play Canes4life? Assume loose fforward?</p>
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<p>Lock id say. Probably too tall to be a loose forward. In saying that he played no 8 for Wellington College and was quite damaging there so who knows. There are obviously plenty of work on areas in his game, but he no doubt has the potential to go far in Rugby if he does come back.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="tubbyj" data-cid="565089" data-time="1458166709">
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<p>Why are the Storm no putting up much of a fight for him or other NRL clubs smashing down the door to sign him with all their TV rights money?</p>
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<p>Bulldogs didn't put up much of a fight with Nehe either.</p> -
<p>So he's the next Will Skelton? Sweet!</p>
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Better suited as a union forward , he's a monster , almost too big for league , <br><br>
Tall and athletic , watched him play a bit here in Melbourne in the lower grades . <br><br>
Big call , but I reckon better than a good chance to be an Allblack down the track sometime -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="565104" data-time="1458169900">
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<p>So he's the next Will Skelton? Sweet!</p>
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<p>You obviously haven't seen him play. Will Skelton is a 140kg sluggish mosnter, whereas Asofa Solomona is an athletic unit weighing in at a healthy 122kg who can actually put his pedal on the gas when he gets into space. </p>
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<p>Have a look at this video. He has a high work rate, can offload ala SBW and he has subtlety's in his game that keep opponents guessing.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="565130" data-time="1458175880">
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<p>You obviously haven't seen him play. Will Skelton is a 140kg sluggish mosnter, whereas Asofa Solomona is an athletic unit weighing in at a healthy 122kg who can actually put his pedal on the gas when he gets into space. Silly comparison. </p>
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<p>Judging from the comments here I think you're the only one who's seen him play.</p> -
<p>Sheesh, not sure why everyones piling into Canes4Life like he's Winger talking about vaccinations, I mean who of us on here hasn't overhyped a player in our time (Robbie Robinson people, you know who you are ;)). Canes4Life over egged it and now he's just leaning into as well.</p>
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<p>He looked good the times I saw him play U20s and his few appearances last year - I reckon he could have become a bloody awesome player. </p>
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<p>He seems to be one of a number of young Kiwis these days using league to pay them a salary for a couple of years where they might only be on development contracts in rugby, then returning to have a crack.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="565134" data-time="1458176590">
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<p>Sheesh, not sure why everyones piling into Canes4Life like he's Winger talking about vaccinations, I mean who of us on here hasn't overhyped a player in our time (Robbie Robinson people, you know who you are ;)). Canes4Life over egged it and now he's just leaning into as well.</p>
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<p>He looked good the times I saw him play U20s and his few appearances last year - I reckon he could have become a bloody awesome player. </p>
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<p>He seems to be one of a number of young Kiwis these days using league to pay them a salary for a couple of years where they might only be on development contracts in rugby, then returning to have a crack.</p>
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<p>Agree, at least Canes4life has watched him play more than 1 or 2 games of under 20 NRL and a few Youtube highlights.</p>
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<p>It's generally pretty obvious watching grass roots rugby which players are going to become stars,</p>
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<p>I trust the opinion of a bloke who obviously gets out and does that, most of the blokes on here probably only attend a few super matches a year and ignore club/schoolboy rugby entirely.</p> -
<p>Yeah I have seen him play a few times back when he played for Wellington College. Obviously NRL and Super Rugby is a massive step up from College Rugby but he defiantly warrants the hype. I dont like to throw around the term freak but this guy has the potential to be an All Black for sure. One liability of his game seeing him live back then would be his tenancy to have brain explosions. If he can channel his aggression in a positive way though he will be an exceptional talent moving forward.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="565135" data-time="1458176967">
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<p>Agree, at least Canes4life has watched him play more than 1 or 2 games of under 20 NRL and a few Youtube highlights.</p>
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<p>It's generally pretty obvious watching grass roots rugby which players are going to become stars,</p>
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<p>I trust the opinion of a bloke who obviously gets out and does that, most of the blokes on here probably only attend a few super matches a year and ignore club/schoolboy rugby entirely.</p>
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<p>There's a jump from saying a kid will make it to pro level to saying they will go all the way and/or be an AB star.</p>
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<p>Quite a few good examples around of players that looked really good at lower levels but couldn't carry it all the way.</p>
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<p>Some even find the hurdle from Provincial to Super trips them up (see Fritz Lee as a someone awesome at lower levels, couldn't make the step to super but has found his sweet spot at T14)</p>
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<p>Hope he does well though. With young talent like him, the Ioanes, Saveas, Tuipolotu etc etc we won't be lacking for dynamic options.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="565142" data-time="1458180243">
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<p>There's a jump from saying a kid will make it to pro level to saying they will go all the way and/or be an AB star.</p>
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<p>Quite a few good examples around of players that looked really good at lower levels but couldn't carry it all the way.</p>
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<p>Some even find the hurdle from Provincial to Super trips them up (see Fritz Lee as a someone awesome at lower levels, couldn't make the step to super but has found his sweet spot at T14)</p>
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<p>Hope he does well though. With young talent like him, the Ioanes, Saveas, Tuipolotu etc etc we won't be lacking for dynamic options.</p>
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<p>Yeah probably shouldn't have used the word "star".</p>
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<p>But it's pretty obvious who has the potential to become one. </p>
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<p>Agree.... he looks like a superb athlete, hope he can make the step up. </p> -
<p>I recall seeing the hype of him as a schoolboy (TV1 News did a piece on him IIRC) and then that he'd gone to league, like the Saveas who were young stars, might take him a year or 2 to shine</p>
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Canes4life, are you the guy who comes up with the outrageous headlines for the Herald or Stuff.co.nz?<br><br>
If not, they should hire you coz you seem very highly skilled in that area. -
<p>4 Big Kids Heading To The Hurricanes (Number 3 Will Shock You)</p>
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<p>I go to a few Storm games , when Ive seen him live , Ive always thought , how did NZ rugby let this guy go ? he did have a bit of a look of a union forward playing league </p>
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<p>but a Very impressive looking athlete ,everything you would want from a lock ,</p>
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<p> just going to depend whats between the ears I reckon </p> -
<p>Not trying to talk the kid down, but canes4life you really do over-rate any kid that comes through the Wellington Rugby scene to the extreme.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="565177" data-time="1458190619">
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<p>Not trying to talk the kid down, but canes4life you really do over-rate any kid that comes through the Wellington Rugby scene to the extreme.</p>
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<p>I admire his passion for the team, he like a cantab without the awkwardness that comes with having parents who are blood relatives.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="565070" data-time="1458162524"><p>
"></a></p></blockquote>Just a few questions.<br><br>
If any of you watched Sky Sport College Rugby you would know who this guy is. He was named NRL under 20 player of the year last year and he was meant to have a big future in the game. Its funny how players are getting bored of League with its "run it straight", "crash it up" bullshit. Nelson has pace to burn for such a big guy and he probably doesn't fit the mold of Melbourne - where they have structures put in place. I watched a few of his cameos last year and he man handled some of the top NRL players. I'm optimistic that if he does make the switch back to Rugby he can be a massive force in our game. <br><br><a class="bbc_url" href="
Which players have have so hilariously stated they are sick of the crash and bash of NRL?<br><br>
Don't all teams have structures in place?<br><br>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="565183" data-time="1458193547">
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<p>I admire his passion for the team, he like a cantab without the awkwardness that comes with having parents who are blood relatives.</p>
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<p>I'm still convinced he's the Hurricanes' social media manager</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="565177" data-time="1458190619">
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<p>Not trying to talk the kid down, but canes4life you really do over-rate any kid that comes through the Wellington Rugby scene to the extreme.</p>
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<p>I only rate kids that are worthy of rating. Maybe I am overrating guys like Peter Umaga Jensen, Alex Fidow and Nelson Asofa Solomona but hey I guess the Canes feel the same as they've been bloody quick to sign these guys up. </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Razbra" data-cid="565185" data-time="1458194148">
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<p>Just a few questions.<br><br>
Which players have have so hilariously stated they are sick of the crash and bash of NRL.<br><br>
Don't all teams have structures in place?<br><br>
Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk</p>
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<p>Laumape, Fisiiahi and Sonny Bill Williams have expressed recently that League is a very contact dominated sport where room to roam is scarce throughout the duration of a match. Theyve mentioned that Rugby provides them with more open space to attack and the fact that their bodies aren't getting punished like they are in League is a bonus. Plenty of players enjoy the crash and bash of League and thats fine. I just believe that Nelson Asofa Solomona is more effective in rugby, one because of his size and two because he can insert his dominance on more facets of the game.</p>
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<p>To answer the second question you are right, all teams have structures, I just feel some are more structured than others. For example when you compare teams like Melbourne in League and the Crusaders in Rugby they have a strict game plan in place. In contrast teams like the Canes in Rugby and the Broncos in League let their players back themselves a bit more. I guess Nelson doesn't like being tied down to Melbourne's strict game plan and probably feels that he is more suited to a team like the Hurricanes where he can express himself more. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="565186" data-time="1458194185">
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<p>I'm still convinced he's the Hurricanes' social media manager</p>
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<p>hahahha i wish. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="565187" data-time="1458195447">
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<p>I only rate kids that are worthy of rating. Maybe I am overrating guys like Peter Umaga Jensen, Alex Fidow and Nelson Asofa Solomona but hey I guess the Canes feel the same as they've been bloody quick to sign these guys up. </p>
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<p>Fair enough. I do admire your passion and the fact that you do follow the grassroots with interest despite my earlier criticisms.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="565187" data-time="1458195447">
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<p>I only rate kids that are worthy of rating. Maybe I am overrating guys like Peter Umaga Jensen, Alex Fidow and Nelson Asofa Solomona but hey I guess the Canes feel the same as they've been bloody quick to sign these guys up. </p>
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<p>Laumape, Fisiiahi and Sonny Bill Williams have expressed recently that League is a very contact dominated sport where room to roam is scarce throughout the duration of a match. Theyve mentioned that Rugby provides them with more open space to attack and the fact that their bodies aren't getting punished like they are in League is a bonus. Plenty of players enjoy the crash and bash of League and thats fine. I just believe that Nelson Asofa Solomona is more effective in rugby, one because of his size and two because he can insert his dominance on more facets of the game.</p>
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<p>To answer the second question you are right, all teams have structures, I just feel some are more structured than others. For example when you compare teams like Melbourne in League and the Crusaders in Rugby they have a strict game plan in place. In contrast teams like the Canes in Rugby and the Broncos in League let their players back themselves a bit more. I guess Nelson doesn't like being tied down to Melbourne's strict game plan and probably feels that he is more suited to a team like the Hurricanes where he can express himself more. </p>
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<p>What were Sam Burgess's views ?</p> -
<br><br><blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="565187" data-time="1458195447"><p>
Laumape, Fisiiahi and Sonny Bill Williams have expressed recently that League is a very contact dominated sport where room to roam is scarce throughout the duration of a match. Theyve mentioned that Rugby provides them with more open space to attack and the fact that their bodies aren't getting punished like they are in League is a bonus.</p></blockquote>
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Where did they express this? Got links? -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">To answer the second question you are right, all teams have structures, I just feel some are more structured than others. For example when you compare teams like Melbourne in League and the Crusaders in Rugby they have a strict game plan in place. In contrast teams like the Canes in Rugby and the Broncos in League let their players back themselves a bit more. I guess Nelson doesn't like being tied down to Melbourne's strict game plan and probably feels that he is more suited to a team like the Hurricanes where he can express himself more.
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<p><span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I get what you are saying, but perhaps this version of Wayne Bennett's Broncos are not the best example. They are structured and disciplined as fuck, stacked full of role players. </span></p>
