NPR

I've been thinking about the Crusaders in 2021, and it's clear that we need to bolster our backrow. I'd love for the Crusaders to target some quality backrowers.

Devan Flanders: He's potentially a world class no.8, but his pathway at the Hurricanes is clearly blocked by Ardie Savea. If Flanders wants to be starting Super Rugby player, he needs to move franchises and the Crusaders are desperate for ball running backrowers.

Teariki Ben-Nicholas: At 25 years of age, Teariki Ben-Nicholas isn't getting any younger. At the Highlanders he's stuck behind Marino Mika'ele-Tu'u. Like Flanders, if TBN wants to be starting SR player he's probably going to have to move franchise, and he's the kind of player that would strengthen the Crusaders backrow.

Lachlan Boshier: The reality is he's an openside flanker who is stuck playing at 6 because he plays for the same franchise as All Black captain Sam Cane. Boshier is potentially a test level no.7, but lacks the size and power to be a world class blindside flanker. I'd love for the Crusaders to sign Lachlan Boshier.

Of those three, I would take Boshier as my first pick. I have a lot of faith in Sanders at 8 and he has shown sufficient potential thus far to keep him as the starting 8. Christie is a damned good player but he looks for all the world like another Matt Todd -- a player who will never let the team down but equally who will never be a star. Boshier has star quality.

Kiwias wrote: Sat Sep 12, 2020 1:43 am Of those three, I would take Boshier as my first pick. I have a lot of faith in Sanders at 8 and he has shown sufficient potential thus far to keep him as the starting 8. Christie is a damned good player but he looks for all the world like another Matt Todd -- a player who will never let the team down but equally who will never be a star. Boshier has star quality.

Yeah Boshier would be my first choice as well. And for the sake of his own career I believe he needs to leave the Chiefs. Boshier also wouldn't impact on our quota.

I want BB back, he’s a hurricane at heart and he should finish his days playing for the hurricanes. We also need a good ten and though hes not the best at the moment, he’s damn good.

Wild Beef wrote: Sat Sep 12, 2020 2:03 am I want BB back, he’s a hurricane at heart and he should finish his days playing for the hurricanes. We also need a good ten and though hes not the best at the moment, he’s damn good.

BB won't be back, he's got a longterm contract with NZR and the Blues. I would be chasing Joshua Ioane if I was Jason Holland.

highlanders could do with some recruits, especially midfield and wings, get mataele to highlanders , rayasi too...

Carter's Choice wrote: Sat Sep 12, 2020 2:05 am

Wild Beef wrote: Sat Sep 12, 2020 2:03 am I want BB back, he’s a hurricane at heart and he should finish his days playing for the hurricanes. We also need a good ten and though hes not the best at the moment, he’s damn good.

BB won't be back, he's got a longterm contract with NZR and the Blues. I would be chasing Joshua Ioane if I was Jason Holland.

I answered the op. I also think the bulk of hurricanes country would rather BB returned than we got any other first five. It’s a heart decision made with the heart (though we need a ten).

Wild Beef wrote: Sat Sep 12, 2020 2:54 am

Carter's Choice wrote: Sat Sep 12, 2020 2:05 am

Wild Beef wrote: Sat Sep 12, 2020 2:03 am I want BB back, he’s a hurricane at heart and he should finish his days playing for the hurricanes. We also need a good ten and though hes not the best at the moment, he’s damn good.

BB won't be back, he's got a longterm contract with NZR and the Blues. I would be chasing Joshua Ioane if I was Jason Holland.

I answered the op. I also think the bulk of hurricanes country would rather BB returned than we got any other first five. Losing key influential players before their time is probably not something the crusaders need to worry about too much (although carter flirted with the idea).

It's not something most NZ franchises deal with. Established AB's almost never change SR teams in NZ. Which makes BB's lack of loyalty and respect to the Hurricanes even more brazen.

Yeah I actually edited my comment as I didn’t want to go down that path.

Wild Beef wrote: Sat Sep 12, 2020 2:59 am Yeah I actually edited my comment as I didn’t want to go down that path.

I don't have your maturity or diplomacy

I know

Is this realistic or dream recruit?

Would love Aaron Smith to the Blues, although if someone else could recruit Ruru and we just had Christie I'd be OK with that as well

Monkey Magic wrote: Sat Sep 12, 2020 4:18 am Is this realistic or dream recruit?

Whatever you want.

I selected three players in the OP who I think the Crusaders could realistically recruit because they either aren't regular starters or aren't starting in their best position.

The Bulls need a fly half BB would love playing on the Highveld.
Faf would also be on my list

Eben Etsebeth

Sam Whitelock - I'd love a BBBR / Whitelock combination.

Richie Mounga (fk ewe BB you're dead to me ), BBBR as second choice.

What happened to Luke Jacobson after his last year injury? The hype of last year vanished.

Ymx wrote: Sat Sep 12, 2020 6:11 am What happened to Luke Jacobson after his last year injury? The hype of last year vanished.

Played today

I guess I was more meaning. Last year he was “the future” . But have not heard him mentioned much this year.

Or is this a symptom of Gats ruining all his backrowers?

Someone with Covid19 vaccine in his veins.

I'm amazed that the Highlanders have let Josh McKay go. He was their best winger by a street! They need to lose a few, and Scot Gregory would be at the top of my list.
Ainsley, the Oz prop would appear to bolster the props, and I imagine their locks will be Parkinson, Dickson, Whetton and Selby-Rickitt, which look handy, with maybe Mike McKee joining them. I see Billy Harmon is picked up from the saders, so that is a direct fill in for Dillon Hunt, but I think they need a great No8. Maybe Lambourn would be a good choice there. They can't persevere with Tompkinson ( sorry, M10 till he shows he can stop being a thug). So midfield is the big issue as Ioane, Hunt, Gatland, Collins, NMS, and Koroi fill the 10/15 roster surely. Maybe Thomas Umanga-Jensen will come through, Tei Walden and Rob Thomson might be in the thinking, but the need gas and nous. There are surely some 12/13 candidates coming available elsewhere that are just lacking opportunities? I guess Collins could fill in at 13 again but... any thoughts around that midfield issue?

Chilli wrote: Sat Sep 12, 2020 5:03 am The Bulls need a fly half BB would love playing on the Highveld.
Faf would also be on my list

Faf would be right at the top of mine.

I said as much three or four years ago when he first started paying for the Lions.

I occasionally see clips of his play for Sale, and he's improved immensely since then.

Turbster wrote: Tue Sep 15, 2020 6:11 pm I'm amazed that the Highlanders have let Josh McKay go. He was their best winger by a street! They need to lose a few, and Scot Gregory would be at the top of my list.
Ainsley, the Oz prop would appear to bolster the props, and I imagine their locks will be Parkinson, Dickson, Whetton and Selby-Rickitt, which look handy, with maybe Mike McKee joining them. I see Billy Harmon is picked up from the saders, so that is a direct fill in for Dillon Hunt, but I think they need a great No8. Maybe Lambourn would be a good choice there. They can't persevere with Tompkinson ( sorry, M10 till he shows he can stop being a thug). So midfield is the big issue as Ioane, Hunt, Gatland, Collins, NMS, and Koroi fill the 10/15 roster surely. Maybe Thomas Umanga-Jensen will come through, Tei Walden and Rob Thomson might be in the thinking, but the need gas and nous. There are surely some 12/13 candidates coming available elsewhere that are just lacking opportunities? I guess Collins could fill in at 13 again but... any thoughts around that midfield issue?

What's wrong with Mikaele Tu'u at 8? He was the best in the comp this year.

Thomson won't be in the midfield mix as he's off to Japan. The Highlanders have signed Paea from the Crusaders though and already have Ngani Punivai.

Agree on McKay. They obviously see something in Gregory that he's yet to publicly reveal.

I'm happy with the Reds as they are. Maybe a backup flyhalf.

They'd have to spent a few months at Comrade Brad's Re-Education Camp (TM) though. You know, learning how to be a man and such.

For squad balance, realistically the Crusaders need a couple of loose forwards - Boshier would be a good choice. Blues have also stockpiled Papalii, Gibson, Hunt, Sotutu, Robinson, Ioane in the loose forwards - all SR starting quality, but 6 doesn't go into 3. Would be happy with a couple of those.

But for the sheer fun of it, I'd love to get Folau Fakatava. Looks every inch a 50+ test All Black from what I've seen, but currently stuck behind Aaron Smith, and won't be starting anytime soon while he's there. Imagine what he could do as part of that Crusaders' backline.

they see gregory as the White Fijian type player (keep forgetting his name) but yeah Gregory is shit..he should stick to 7's, he single handedly cost them 2 games this year in SRA, its a huge shame they didn't give kirisi kuridrani a run in SRA, he is as good a ball runner as his brother..Leicester is a huge talent now at crusaders so highlanders should try to lure in Mataele, power winger on the left (mataele) and a speedy winger on the right (nareki), all they need is a Ben smith type fullback to make it work...Mckay got outsped by McGarvey Black last week, if anything , i think the new highlanders coach (tony brown surely) should consider Koroi as a long-term fullback, he can be equally as good as DMac at 10/15 than any other player bar BB in NZ...just needs to be used there....they lack a power runner in the midfield since Feki left, never liked Tompkinson, he is just not there at all in defence or attack, he is like a plug-in..useful in the last 20, not the first 60..maybe recruit Vince Aso from canes, he is not getting game time there and likely won't again ahead of PUJ and Proctor, 2 kids canes are now obsessed wit hdeveloping, could be an impactful 13 outside of 2 playmakers in 10/12 (hunt/ioane)

Thommo wrote: Tue Sep 15, 2020 8:50 pm I'm happy with the Reds as they are. Maybe a backup flyhalf.

They'd have to spent a few months at Comrade Brad's Re-Education Camp (TM) though. You know, learning how to be a man and such.

Your team is full of young up and coming stars. Really don't need to change a thing, as a lot of those are now paying dividends.

Macropal wrote: Wed Sep 16, 2020 1:53 am

Thommo wrote: Tue Sep 15, 2020 8:50 pm I'm happy with the Reds as they are. Maybe a backup flyhalf.

They'd have to spent a few months at Comrade Brad's Re-Education Camp (TM) though. You know, learning how to be a man and such.

Your team is full of young up and coming stars. Really don't need to change a thing, as a lot of those are now paying dividends.

Yeah, we went through a lot of pain for a number of years.

This isn't even the end game though. Brad wants to create a dynasty.

I wonder if Rennie will select Big Brad as his forwards coach come the TRC? is it possible? biggest recruit by an international team surely.. :P

No, he won't. Brad probably wouldn't accept either.

Thommo wrote: Wed Sep 16, 2020 4:05 am

Macropal wrote: Wed Sep 16, 2020 1:53 am

Thommo wrote: Tue Sep 15, 2020 8:50 pm I'm happy with the Reds as they are. Maybe a backup flyhalf.

They'd have to spent a few months at Comrade Brad's Re-Education Camp (TM) though. You know, learning how to be a man and such.

Your team is full of young up and coming stars. Really don't need to change a thing, as a lot of those are now paying dividends.

Yeah, we went through a lot of pain for a number of years.

This isn't even the end game though. Brad wants to create a dynasty.

We need another lock. Apparently Skelton is playing well in the NH and much fitter than he was at the Tah's, I'd be trying to get him.

We also need a long term 10, someone to take over after JOC and be the new Noddy. They were probably grooming Isaac Lucas for this role, but I'm not convinced he was the solution. If we don't find someone in the next 2 or 3 years it's going to be a big problem.

Harry Hockings going with Rodda is a problem. So I concur. Another good lock (not Simmons plz) would be good.

And yeah, a back up flyhalf (which I said earlier). Loosing Pasitoa to the Brumbies hurt a lot. The current 10 for TSS is pretty good but has already been snapped up by an NRL club.

Leads to an interesting thought experiment - best NZ players not regularly starting/not starting in their best position:

15. Havili/Jordan - the decision was made with Havili's injury this year, but Razor has a tough decision going forward. The Clan and Blues would benefit from either.
14. McKay - very surprised the Highlanders let him go. Would be a good pickup for the Canes with Lam and Van Wyk leaving.
13. Faiinganuku - stuck in a logjam of outside backs at the Crusaders and currently playing 13 for Tasman and in North v South.
12. Aso? Our midfield depth is poor realistically. Some may argue Jordie's best position is 12?
11.Mataele - I think the Canes, Chiefs, and Highlanders would all benefit from signing him.
10. Hunt/Ioane - both good enough to start at SR level, and I think the experiment of trying one at 12/15 failed. Chiefs would benefit with Cruden leaving. Think both would also be an upgrade for the Canes.
9. Fakatava/Enari - both stuck behind established starters. Think Blues would benefit from either, or Chiefs/Canes would have either as bench players (with Fakatava overtaking Weber quickly, I predict).
8. Flanders/Ben-Nicholas - as mentioned. Both would look good in Red and Black.
7. Boshier - as mentioned. Crusaders/Clan would both benefit. Blues will also have a tough decision with Papalii/Hunt/Gibson on the books.
6. Ioane/Robinson - Blues are greedily stockpiling loose forwards and both can't start next year. Either would be good signings for the Crusaders, Chiefs, or Canes I think.
5. Dunshea - When everyone's fit I imagine the Crusaders will have Whitelock/Barrett/Strange as the first choice locking combo. These two would walk into most other franchises I reckon.
4. Romano
3. Ta'avao - cheating a bit because he's been injured, but stuck behind the All Blacks incumbent tighthead, which I think is his best position. Clan would benefit.
2. Aumua/Riccitelli - both stuck behind Coles, I think they'd both be good signings for the Chiefs or Blues.
1. Tuinukuafe/Hodgman - the Blues have two All Black looseheads and both can't start. Share the love.

Obviously in the real world squad depth is important and players have other loyalties, but it's an interesting experiment. Shows depth isn't too bad when these players aren't regular starters in their best position.