NZ Super 15 Teams 2013

[SaderCheif]

Looks like Thomson is off to Japan.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/7865795/Adam-Thomson-set-to-head-overseas

 

[Jets]

That would be disappointing as he has been one of the players to watch in Super Rugby. I guess he has to look after himself though and he would make a killing in Japan.
I've always been a big fan of his work.

 

[Blue]

Weren't we all (myself included) saying similar things about the Blues around this time last year? With the signing's of Nonu and Weepu etc. to add to the team that had just been a semi finalist?

Thorn, Nonu and Woodcock are 3 very good signings though. Perhaps the added depth will reverse the trend of the last two years of starting off on fire, but then fading in the 2nd half of the season.

Has Ben Franks already signed for them too or is that still speculation? Or is he going to the Hurricanes?

Edit - quick Google search tells me Franks is going to the Hurricanes.

Difference is that the Highlanders already have a very good core group and now they add this lot.

Their starting 15 is scary. Much scarier than the Blues 15 last year.

 

[Scoey]

I would be happy to see the Highlanders do well - my favourite NZ team. Not that I have anything against them but I'd love to see a finals series without the Crusaders for once!

 

[teach]

I would be happy to see the Highlanders do well - my favourite NZ team. Not that I have anything against them but I'd love to see a finals series without the Crusaders for once!

Dream final Highlanders V Crusaders, at the stadium in Dunedin. Would be a massive southern derby.

Might have to get season tickets. Got rung up the other day and offered a deal. They were a bit shocked when I told them I prefer the Zoo stand, and if they can beat the $12.50 a seat I will buy tickets to all the home games.

 

[Dan54]

Shh Teach, ya just reminding me how much nore I got to pay to go to Suncorp!!!!!!

 

[mudskipper]

A massive lost Adam Thomson.... one of my favorite super NZ players.... I can understand its time for him to move on and cash up and travel before he retires... I wish him the best...

 

[teach]

Can't argue with the price. ten minute walk from the car park to the stadium.
Me and the boy go to every home game. Cost me more one night to buy him a pottle of hot chips and can of coke than it did to get him in. He spends more time perving at varsity chicks though. Certainly entertaining.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150677072647249.424904.385405572248&type=3

 

[kronic]

Highlanders lose Adam Thomson to Japan, but gain a Japanese scrum-half http://www.superxv.com/news/super15_rugby_news.asp?id=36864

 

[Antony]

Highlanders lose Adam Thomson to Japan, but gain a Japanese scrum-half http://www.superxv.com/news/super15_rugby_news.asp?id=36864

That's pretty cool. How far down the pecking order will this new guy be? No Cowan, so is he just behind Smith?

Edit: I forgot Smylie.

 

[Bairdy]

Highlanders lose Adam Thomson to Japan, but gain a Japanese scrum-half http://www.superxv.com/news/super15_rugby_news.asp?id=36864

From the way Tanaka played for Otago in the ITM Cup, that came as no surprise. Smith and Tanaka are very similar in how they play: both very quick to the breakdowns and quick service.

 

[en_force_er]

That's pretty cool. How far down the pecking order will this new guy be? No Cowan, so is he just behind Smith?

Edit: I forgot Smylie.

He adds a tonne of speed to the game so I suppose it will depend if you want speed or experience off the bench.

 

[Antony]

He adds a tonne of speed to the game so I suppose it will depend if you want speed or experience off the bench.

If you want speed of service or run you could really just leave smith on. Or do you reckon this guy is quicker? I've never seen him, missed this year's ITM (am I correct in thinking he was involved in that?)

 

[ACR]

If you want speed of service or run you could really just leave smith on. Or do you reckon this guy is quicker? I've never seen him, missed this year's ITM (am I correct in thinking he was involved in that?)

He started at 9 for Otago in the ITM Cup all year. He really is very similar to Smith, quick to the breakdown, delivers good ball (although not Smith's bullet), can have the occasional dart at the line. He seems slightly smaller than Smith if that is possible, quite courageous putting the odd tackle in. He's like Aaron Smith lite. He can just hover behind the rucks and sweep in defence. A good player.

 

[en_force_er]

If you want speed of service or run you could really just leave smith on. Or do you reckon this guy is quicker? I've never seen him, missed this year's ITM (am I correct in thinking he was involved in that?)

Yeah you're right but there's the whole fatigue and player management factor.

Plus, Tanaka will bring more speed for 10 minutes then Smith will when he's been playing for 70.

 

[Antony]

Cheers guys, look forward to seeing him in action. Shit the highlanders have a squad this year.

 

[en_force_er]

Shit the highlanders have a squad this year.

Highlanders recent success over the last 2 seasons came from a squad of strong locals supplemented with some Wellington rejects (I'd guess because of Josef's coaching background).

This 2013 squad is pretty far departed from that and almost against their anti-"rockstar" mentality (to quote how their former captain put it).

 

[Dan54]

Tanaka's only bit of a weakness is his decision making, though I reckon he's improved over season, he just seems to not always see the best way to go, he almost always just keeps attack going same way ie left to right etc

 

[en_force_er]

Samoan international Jeremy Su'a is the surprise inclusion in the Crusaders squad today.
Su'a, 23, has been recruited as a back-up to Canterbury halfbacks Andy Ellis and Willi Heinz following a string of impressive performances with Tasman this season.
One of Su'a's main attributes is his quick, accurate pass and if he can do enough to impress the coaches in 2013 he may be considered a longer-term option to replace Ellis if the former All Black decides to sign with an overseas club following the Super Rugby competition.
Su'a was a member of Samoa's World Cup squad last year and has also represented Australia at Under-19 level.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/7887356/Samoan-nine-newbies-in-Crusaders-squad

Plenty of guys including Lee Grant shouted Su'a's name from the rooftop when the Rebels were starting and I'd suggest any player good enough to be the Crusaders 3rd scrummy is good enough to be at least the 3rd scrummy at one of Aussie's 5 teams.

Oh well, best of luck to the bloke.

 

[Lee Grant]

Jeremy was around the Tahs stable for a while but never got a Super contract and I thought he could have.

I don't know about shouting his name from the rooftops but expected that he would have got one of the 3 scrummie spots at the Rebels. However when they started up they went with a utility player as the backup and an EPS guy as 3rd string.

We couldn't blame Jeremy for taking a different path and accepting a RWC spot with Samoa last year and now he is lost to Oz pro rugby.
.