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Jack Goodhue signs contract extension with Crusaders
All Blacks midfielder Jack Goodhue headlines a trio of re-signings made by the Crusaders for the 2020 Super Rugby campaign.
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Goodhue joins lock Mitchell Dunshea and flanker Billy Harmon in re-committing to the franchise for next season, taking the number of confirmed players for next year for the back-to-back reigning champions to 14.
23-year-old Goodhue made his debut for the All Blacks last year, and has been capped seven times internationally, while also having made 37 appearances for the Crusaders since his debut for the club in 2017.
The capture of his signature will be a significant gain for the Crusaders, who will be without six All Blacks named in this year’s squad, including vice-captain and fellow midfielder Ryan Crotty, who will join Kubota Spears in the Japanese Top League in 2020.
Other All Blacks set to leave Christchurch include Owen Franks (Northampton), captain Sam Whitelock (Panasonic Wild Knights), Jordan Taufua (Leicester), Kieran Read (Toyota Verblitz), and Israel Dagg (retired).
Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has already begun preparing for life without Crotty, naming Goodhue as one of two vice-captains for their clash against the Sharks two weeks ago.
Goodhue’s debut campaign in 2017 was also Dunshea’s first season in Super Rugby, although the 23-year-old lock only had three caps to his name coming into 2019.
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However, an impressive showing against the Bulls in Pretoria last week will have bolstered his credentials within the Crusaders set-up as he capitalised on the absence of Whitelock (parental leave) and Quentin Strange (foot injury).
Without Whitelock in the selection frame for next year, Dunshea’s chances of playing more regularly for the competition leaders will be increased.
Harmon was first named in the Crusaders last year following a string of admirable campaigns in the Mitre 10 Cup for Canterbury, and after featuring three times this year, he could be another that benefits from the absence of an All Black, with fellow openside flanker Matt Todd is yet to announce his playing future beyond 2019.
Goodhue, Dunshea and Harmon join 11 other players to re-commit their services to the Crusaders next year, including Codie Taylor, Richie Mo’unga, Scott Barrett, Joe Moody, George Bridge, David Havili, Mitchell Drummond, Michael Alaalatoa, Whetu Douglas, Ethan Blackadder and Oliver Jager.
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More re-signings are expected to follow, including that of superstar rookie wing Sevu Reece.
The Crsuaders are set to finish their tour of South Africa this weekend when they face the Stormers in Cape Town.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
It was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to commentsWhere has our good friend Pecos gone!? Similar place to the Crusaders D, the abyss.
4 Go to comments