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Crusaders name strong squad for three-peat quest
The Crusaders have named a typically strong 2019 Super Rugby squad in their quest for three straight Super Rugby titles.
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Amongst the regular All Blacks, a number of young Crusader prospects have been named to make their potential Super Rugby debuts in 2019.
Tasman Makos fullback Will Jordan returns to the squad for the second straight season, and will be pushing for a debut after two promising Mitre 10 Cup campaigns.
Nelson product Leicester Faingaanuku is a surprise inclusion, named in the squad ahead of brother Tima Faingaanuku. The younger Faingaanuku was due to miss New Zealand’s under-20 Junior World Cup campaign, indicating he was due for Super Rugby selection.
Canterbury midfielder Ngane Punivai has also made the squad, with the highly-touted local Christs College star making his way through the ranks, as well as teammate Brett Cameron, who recently was picked in the 51-man All Blacks squad.
“We’re really excited about the new talent joining our back line this season,” coach Scott Robertson said.
“Brett did a fantastic job steering Canterbury around the park during this year’s Mitre 10 Cup, and was rewarded with a spot on the end of year tour as part of the All Blacks wider squad. He’s a balanced No. 10 who possesses a good turn of speed and both his kicking out of hand and his goal-kicking are exceptional.
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“Ngane is a great centre/wing option for us, his size and speed are huge assets. He’s a smart player who makes good decisions and has an incredible work ethic.
“Leicester was an incredible age-group player and dominated through schools’ rugby. His size and power are his greatest strengths, so it’s no surprise he finds his way to the try line frequently. We know he’ll take that potential and perform for us in a Crusaders jersey.”
There are also two elevations to full squad status in the forwards, with Whetu Douglas and Harry Allan named in the squad but having previously debuted for the Crusaders in 2017 and 2018 respectively.
Crusaders 2019 Super Rugby Squad
FORWARDS
Michael Alaalatoa, Harry Allan, Scott Barrett , Ethan Blackadder, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Mitchell Dunshea, Owen Franks , Ben Funnell, Billy Harmon, Oliver Jager, Andrew Makalio , Joe Moody, Tim Perry , Kieran Read, Luke Romano , Tom Sanders, Quinten Strange , Jordan Taufua, Codie Taylor, Matt Todd (vc), Sam Whitelock (c)
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BACKS
Tim Bateman, George Bridge, Brett Cameron, Ryan Crotty (vc), Israel Dagg, Mitchell Drummond, Ereatara Enari, Braydon Ennor, Leicester Faingaanuku, Jack Goodhue, Bryn Hall, David Havili, Mitchell Hunt, Will Jordan, Manasa Mataele, Richie Mo’unga, Ngane Punivai
More Super Rugby squads:
Hurricanes 2019 Super Rugby Squad
Chiefs 2019 Super Rugby Squad
Highlanders 2019 Super Rugby Squad
Blues 2019 Super Rugby Squad
Comments on RugbyPass
pure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
1 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
25 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
25 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to comments