Crusaders (NZ) Rugby Team Thread.

[Dismal Pillock]

NZHurld reporting that Crusaders are in talks with JAMES O'CONNOR for a one-year deal to fix their chronic 5/8 issue until RMo returns from Japan.

ODG/ FFS/ LOL.

It'll be fine, 34-years old, I'm sure he'll give it the full halfpenny.....

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

The All Blacks have an opportunity to do the funniest thing ever, as he'd qualify for New Zealand via his parents and the stand down rule by TRC next year

Let's not forget he's also Sethfrikan on his mother's side...

 

[Rob42]

I wonder if the 'Saders had a chat to Robbie before signing him?

 

[Slim 293]

The All Blacks have an opportunity to do the funniest thing ever, as he'd qualify for New Zealand via his parents and the stand down rule by TRC next year

Does the Aus A game from last year push him back another year?

 

[Wilson]

Does the Aus A game from last year push him back another year?

Yeah, the games against Tonga/Portugal would have been cap games and will have reset the counter.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Does the Aus A game from last year push him back another year?

Yes it does. Forgot the A games in my cap searching

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

It's official...

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

Really hoping Reinhana and/ or Kemara step up, even when RMo comes back we're gunna need quality backup.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Having trouble viewing this GIF I made, it's not loading for me.

Can anyone else see it?

Here, I'll post it again, maybe this time it will work?

Can you see it?

What about now?

 

[zer0]

This is why Papali'i was dropped from the All Blacks. Change my mind.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Having trouble viewing this GIF I made, it's not loading for me.

Can anyone else see it?

Yeah, nah bro.

Here, I'll post it again, maybe this time it will work?

Can you see it?

Nope.

What about now?

Nuh-uh.

Beginning to think you don't know how to GIF. Maybe MSPaint is more your go?

 

[Dismal Pillock]

ffs Cantabs, this console is old. Don't think the buttons even work anymore

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Apparently Wyatt Crockett arced up over the JOC (James O'Connor) thing to which CruSadists CEO has responded:

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

If it's true that JOC (James O'Connor) is there as backup for Reihana & Kemara I'm a little less miffed by the signing. Just a little, but.

 

[Dctarget]

Apparently Wyatt Crockett arced up over the JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) thing to which CruSadists CEO has responded:

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

If it's true that JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) is there as backup for Reihana & Kemara I'm a little less miffed by the signing. Just a little, but.

Why were you miffed to begin with?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Why were you miffed to begin with?

As a short-term injury cover I'd be OK with it but at 34 I'm not convinced he's a significant enough upgrade on Reihana & Kemara to warrant taking a contract off e.g. James White (Cantab NPC 5/8) or going to the pool of guys who miss out on a full Super Rugby contract in November.

 

[Wilson]

An absolute classic from Crockett here:

“I don’t like it,” were former prop Wyatt Crockett’s words during an SENZ interview last week.

“You’re taking short-term gain for an experienced player, but you lose that development position for another young guy, who could go on to become an All Black,’’ the man who played 202 Super Rugby games between 2006-2018 argued.

Nowhere but the Crusaders would the assumption be that the 3rd string (in reality 5th after Mounga and Burke departed so recently) fly half, sitting behind a 21 and a 24 year old, was in line for the All Blacks and a single season deal for an experienced pro has denied them that.

Seems like these guys have completely forgotten that it was competition for positions and learning from older experienced heads that got them to where they ended up. Has he taken a look at Australian super sides talent management over the last 5 years and said "Oh I like that, fuck experienced players, let's load up on youngsters who are still developing physically!"?

 

[zer0]

I hear the pitter patter of rodent feet as the good ship Crusaders, very sadly, continues to take on water.

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

Scott Robertson has lured another Crusaders assistant to the All Blacks on a full-time basis.

Tamati Ellison, having taken on added responsibility during his part-time gig with the All Blacks since Leon MacDonald’s surprise departure, has accepted a permanent gig under head coach Robertson.

It means Ellison, who has worked as a Crusaders assistant coach since 2021, and was widely considered a head coach contender in the future, won’t be back in red and black in 2025.

 

[Willin1]

I hear the pitter patter of rodent feet as the good ship Crusaders, very sadly, continues to take on water.

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

They were all but sunk a few months ago. JOC (James O'Connor) signing a bit odd, and losing Ellison will be a blow, but the Saders attack was shit this year, so maybe he‘s not a hot as many thought.

I noticed during Canterbury ’s demolition of Tasman that David Havili seems to be beefier and slower. Hard to see him in black after that error ridden pedestrian performance.

I’ll still be betting on them at least making the semi‘s next year.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

I noticed during Canterbury ’s demolition of Tasman that David Havili seems to be beefier and slower. Hard to see him in black after that error ridden pedestrian performance.

if Super Rugby form doesnt matter to Razor then NPC really doesnt matter.

"Dave" couldve spent the whole match livestreaming himself doing the Electric Boogaloo up and down the sideline and Razor would still pick him in a heartbeat.

 

[PhilClinton]

Any truth to the rumour that Richie M might be coming back from Japan early and playing for the Crusaders? I imagine not considering the JOC (James O'Connor) signing, but I have heard there are some issues between him and his club over there due to some unscheduled media appearances.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Brilliant strategy: do something egregious (from a Japanese POV); J1 contract gets torn up; return to NZ in (from a Japanese POV) disgrace; get *thrown a lifeline* by the only franchise that will touch him.