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New Zealand Rugby re-sign resurgent star Hoskins Sotutu
All Blacks and Blues fans received some stellar news on Thursday, with New Zealand Rugby announcing a new contract with star No. 8 Hoskins Sotutu.
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The 14-time All Black has inked a new deal that will see him remain with the Blues until 2026, much to the delight of the Auckland coach Vern Cotter.
With Sotutu currently sitting atop the highest try-scorers list in Super Rugby Pacific during his resurgent 2024 campaign to date, the dynamic loose forward has proven to be one of the most valuable talents in the competition.
“Hoskins can do things no other player in his position can do with ball in hand,” Cotter said.” His five-point contributions have helped us build scoreboard pressure and he’s getting regular turnovers at lineout and tackle situations.
“He’s building his performance from game to game and his consistency each week is remarkable considering he’s playing big minutes.
“I have no doubt he will help his teammates seek a top performance this weekend.”
Sotutu was famously dropped out of both the All Blacks and All Blacks XV selection in 2023 after an uncharacteristically quiet year from the 25-year-old.
Sotutu admitted to RugbyPass earlier in the year that those ommissions had “lit a fire” and he was out with a point to prove in 2024.
His dominant form in 2024 has made him a clearcut favourite for not just All Blacks reselection, but for a potential starting spot alongside World Player of the Year Ardie Savea.
Regardless of how All Blacks coach Scott Robertson sees him best utilised, Sotutu is set to continue his lethal combination with the powerful Blues loose forward unit for two more seasons.
“I’m incredibly proud and honoured to extend my time with the Blues,” Sotutu said. “This club means a lot to me, and I’m committed to contributing my best both on and off the field in the coming seasons.
“This club feels like home to me, I’ve got a lot of mates here who I’ve played many seasons of rugby alongside. We’re building nicely this season and know we have a massive match this weekend against the Hurricanes – it promises to be a great game in the afternoon sun.”
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Saturday’s contest against the Hurricanes is indeed a massive occasion, with the two form teams in Super Rugby Pacific clashing heads for the second time in 2024 – the first contest having gone the way of the Hurricanes.
Blues general manager of rugby Murray Williams was equally happy to have Sotutu recommit to the club.
“Hoskins is a rare talent and his form in the 2024 season to date has been without peer. We’re thrilled to have him continue with the club as a cornerstone of our squad.”
Comments on RugbyPass
All good choices John, even the Tah players ha ha. Others that might be worth a look would be ; Cale, Tom Lynagh, Uru, Keunzle, Anstee and maybe Rory Scott because we need a backup to McReight and he has improved a lot from last year and Tim Ryan.
1 Go to commentsWe only have 12 teams - and probably should only have 10. If we cut it down to 10, had a single round robin format, and only had semi-finals and a grand final, the final game would be on the first weekend of May. Meanwhile the AFL (similar to the NRL) runs until the last weekend of September and starts almost a full month after Super Rugby. At least the players would get plenty of rest!
1 Go to commentsAs article says re Japanese Final. Todd Blackadder up against his old mentor/ coach at Canterbury and the Crusaders , Robbie Deans. Both legends in this part of the world. Richie Mo’unga, ( another legend), playing brilliantly for Toddy’s team.Great to hear.
1 Go to commentsNo doubt Razor will want to kick the 2024 campaign off with a decisive selection of the top match fit players to insure his selection as the appointed coach has maximum impact. We the supporters and critics will settle for nothing less because historically it is what we have become ingrained and accustomed to. With that in mind and the distinct fall from grace of his beloved crusaders we will expect him to stamp his mark in the same way he left his old post.
9 Go to commentsI would've expected a better turn around in response to the changes within the team and its management. Lacking in my opinion is the skill sets that once was and now seemingly vacant within the squads regular front runners. Furthermore there seems to be no set game plan, the accuracy that once was is no more, the quality off the bench were poor matchups and frankly I feel a lot has to do with the coaching. Never thought i’d be critising the sadas to this degree.
5 Go to commentsAverage AB captain by recent standards. Speaks to the wider issue
9 Go to commentsWholesome lad, but no longer test level. At all
9 Go to commentsThis game was always going to be close, Canada have such a dominant pack and the Black Ferns have come unstuck in that area against teams like France and England in the past.
2 Go to commentsA distinct discomfort with the officiating they were probably selected from the local IRA narcos branch along with the commentators bloody fly tippers.
1 Go to commentsWow, never thought I would read that
2 Go to commentsExcellent match. Great to see Keenan and Ryan back for Leinster. Super result for Ulster. Season is turning around.
1 Go to comments“We need eight or nine new players, who are hard-wearing and durable and experienced Premiership performers”. So why are they scouting a retired fullback who himself admits that his “body is broken”?
1 Go to commentsBrumbies hand, knocked a Crusaders hand. Therefore, knock on in goal. Crusaders, goal line drop out should’ve been awarded. most likely after that 24 each at full time, so extra time would’ve been the right an entertaining outcome. Act Jim
1 Go to commentsSpeell cehck
1 Go to commentsColeman is gaawwwwnnn.
1 Go to commentsnext SA head coach?
3 Go to commentsGreat try by van Poortvliet.
1 Go to commentsThey have been cruelled by injuries but almost nobody (Sevu Reece and Fletcher Newell big exceptions) has played above himself which regularly happened before. Surely Scott Robertson had maintained the recruitment programme and it looks like a reasonable squad. Last in this competition will stall a lot of careers. Penny seems likeable. But it’s not enough even though this was better. We haven’t been good enough and it’s not helped by the “it’s been 15 years since… “etc “after nearly every match. Seems somehow a soft gifting of something once valuable. Kieran Read giving comments last week almost choked describing the easy surrender of possession by the forwards. I’d love to think that the senior players some of whom are back can show enough pride in the jersey to test the Blues next week.
5 Go to commentsWho will Joe select for the back three with so many in form candidates? Just hope he doesn’t get shafted like Dave Rennie and to a lesser extent Deans.
8 Go to commentsAlways reluctant to blame a coach when losses rack up, but Penney must go. The backline is dysfunctional and the coach must carry the can. No cohesion, no idea and in many cases, minimal skill. The trains out of Roma St depart faster than the ball from Crusaders’ set pieces. Wouldn’t be surprised if the forwards went on strike.
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