New Zealand Rugby Team Watch

[Dan54]

Midi Olympique are saying BSmith is about to sign for Pau:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11776017

They're seldom wrong, unfortunately.

To be honest WOB, I pretty relaxed about Ben going, ok ,I'd rather he stayed, but if he goes well we'll just have to find another '15', step up NMS or Nanai. Ben has given great service (best 15 in world I reckon), but I do enjoy watching the new ones establish themselves!!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

You're right, of course, I just like having a few old dogs around to keep the pups from getting too full of themselves. But I wish Ben From Accounts bon voyage all the same. Wonderful player & by all accounts a thoroughly decent guy as well.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Awwwww, Charlie Piutau's gotten hisself engaged.........

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11777342

Pic needs some of @Dismal's "special attention"

 

[Dismal Pillock]

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Richie Mo'unga has re-signed to the end of 2019:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...-richie-mounga-locked-in-at-crusaders-to-2019

It took me a while but I can now see why the kid had such big raps on him as an age group player. As alluded to in the article the next step is to avoid falling into the same hole as e.g. Ihaia West & start pushing for higher honours: it now seems inevitable that Cruden will go after the B&IL tour so there's a 3rd 5/8 spot up for grabs come EOYT.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Midi Olympique now reporting that Cruden to Montpellier is a done deal:

http://www.planetrugby.com/news/cruden-signs-for-montpellier-report/

 

[zer0]

This would surely mean more Sopoaga in black, which is hardly a bad thing.

 

[Dan54]

Yep Zer0, though I strongly suspect that Mounga may just about get back up spot in 2018, I really think the kid may go somewhere with another super season under his belt.

 

[stoff]

Yep Zer0, though I strongly suspect that Mounga may just about get back up spot in 2018, I really think the kid may go somewhere with another super season under his belt.

It's like the bloody Hydra


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[waiopehu oldboy]

This would surely mean more Sopoaga in black, which is hardly a bad thing.

Yep Zer0, though I strongly suspect that Mounga may just about get back up spot in 2018, I really think the kid may go somewhere with another super season under his belt.

Yep, more of Sopoaga short- to medium term & an opportunity for Mo'unga to show us why he was so highly regarded coming up through the age groups (which he did to some extent last Super Rugby season & moreso in M10 Cup). DMac I think will be developed more as a fullback than a 5/8, I don't think they'll want a guy that small defending at 10 & it'd be un-All Black to hide him out the back on D

I have a sneaky feeling we're more likely to regret losing Charlie F than Cruden. Worth noting also that apart from BSmith & Dagg we've also yet to re-sign Read & Whitelock who must be weighing up whether their bodies can last until 2019, with or without negotiating a sabbatical into their renewed NZRU contract.

 

[zer0]

Whitelock is only 28 and I don't recall him picking up many injuries, especially severe ones. Thus suggesting that he may indeed be made of Brad Thornium. Lock him in for 2023. 31 year old Kieran Read, on the other hand, will not last too long past 2019.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Pic needs Dismalling (yes, it's a word, I just used it, didn't I?)

 

[Dismal Pillock]

 

[Teh Other Dave]

And of course they only smoke the best durries:

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Nehe Milner-Skudder locked in for three more seasons:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11788269

IMO the only real question is whether he takes BSmith's 15 or Dagg's 14 jersey once one or both shoot through. I'm leaning towards 15, mainly on the basis that you're gunna have to find room for Ioane sooner rather than later & that room's more likely to be 14 than 13.

 

[zer0]

Don't recall seeing Milner-Skudder kick much, which makes me hesitant to play him at fullback. He may, of course, have these skills, and just hasn't needed to use them, but I remain skeptical at this stage.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^^^^^^ mostly played 15 at QEC & age group prior to his flirtation with 13-a-side which suggests he's at least familiar with the concept of kicking. May need some specialist coaching in that regard but, shit, he's a Taihape boy so kicking's pretty much in his blood, innit?

 

[Dan54]

Yep but a rugby ball is different to kick than cowpats WOB!!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ True, but he won't be wearing his Skellerup Red Bands will he?

(Pic for the benefit of Strayans)

 

[Dan54]

Hell not while he's playing WOB, Red Bans are definitely formal wear in Taihape!!