Hurricanes 2020

At the beginning of the season, there were some doubts about whether the Hurricanes could go all the way, or not. The question wasn't so much whether they could reach the play-offs, but whether they had the squad that could win the final. With the Hurricanes only narrowly losing the semi-final, it's fair to say that they had the squad in 2019 that could go all the way, but some losses during the season were costly and prevented the Canes from topping the table and competing for the silverware at home.

The question is what needs to be done in terms of player signings to improve next season. As with the other NZ franchises, I have again made a blog post in which I have listed the players who were named in the 2019 Hurricanes squad, played for the Canes in 2019 (without being a full squad member), will be leaving etc. I will update this list when further signings or departures are announced.

• The recruitment in which position is the most urgent?
• Who of the players of the initial 2019 squad would you like to see signed for 2020 (or longer)?
• Who of the players that played in 2019, but weren't in the initial squad, would you like to see signed for 2020 (or longer)?
• Which other player, who hasn't played for the Hurricanes in 2019, would be on your wish list?
• Which player, who hasn't been signed yet, but played for the Hurricanes in 2019, don't you want to be signed?

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Blog post: https://www.thesilverfern.com/posts/stargazer/2019-07/hurricanes-2020/

Scrafton ?

@Chris Thanks. I knew I was forgetting someone, but couldn't remember who!!

@Stargazer said in Hurricanes 2020:

The recruitment in which position is the most urgent?
I think the main needs for us going into 2020 is a quality experienced loosehead (if T Smith decides to move on), an experienced first five (still not sold on JGB/FS) and a more skillful backfield player - someone like Connor Garden-Bachop looks the goods from what I've seen. Hopefully he puts his hand up during the NPC. The last and obvious position that we need depth in is halfback. Perenara is our obvious starter but if we can get someone like Fakatava back from the Highlanders, we should be looking okay there.
Who of the players of the initial 2019 squad would you like to see signed for 2020 (or longer)?
Isaia Walker-Leawere needs to be snapped up asap. You feel it's not a matter of if, but a matter of when, when referring to his A.B credentials. The others are obviously the Barrett brothers.
Who of the players that played in 2019, but weren't in the initial squad, would you like to see signed for 2020 (or longer)?
Peter Umaga Jensen - he can cover a number of positions - young, big, strong, fast and has the potential to be the Hurricane's long term 13.
Which other player, who hasn't played for the Hurricanes in 2019, would be on your wish list?
Probably Folau Fakatava or Lincoln McLutchie.
Which player, who hasn't been signed yet, but played for the Hurricanes in 2019, don't you want to be signed?
I would of said Finlay Christie but he is off to the Blues, so I am happy in that regard.

Our strongest 23 would probably look something like this next year:

1. Smith 2. Coles 3. Lomax 4. Scrafton 5. Walker-Leawere 6. Blackwell 7. Savea 8. Evans 9. Perenara 10. JGB/FS 11. Goosen 12. Laumape 13. Umaga-Jensen 14. Aso 15. Barrett Reserves: 16. Aumua 17. Numia 18. Fidow 19. Le'uapepe 20. Fifita 21. ? 22. JGB/FS 23. Proctor/Lowe/Toala

@Canes4life

You don't get to make fun of Reuben Thorne anymore.

At 6, I'd rather take Fifita than Blackwell.

@cgrant said in Hurricanes 2020:

At 6, I'd rather take Fifita than Blackwell.

Possibly too short for blindside too

I have it on good oil that Jordies signed for the Crusaders next year

@mikey07 said in Hurricanes 2020:

I have it on good oil that Jordies signed for the Crusaders next year

If the Crusaders get Ofa (?) as well, they are going to be a reasonably decent team next year which will make a pleasant same

@Hooroo Thats going to make it a pleasant surprise

@mikey07 I have been hearing that for a while
No idea if it’s true maybe you have better intel

@mikey07 said in Hurricanes 2020:

I have it on good oil that Jordies signed for the Crusaders next year

I'm going to laugh if he gets stuck behind Havili at 15, Goodhue at 12, and Ennor at 13.

However, if that leads to Ennor (23) wanting to come to the Chiefs, I'll be happy as...

@gt12 said in Hurricanes 2020:

@mikey07 said in Hurricanes 2020:

I have it on good oil that Jordies signed for the Crusaders next year

I'm going to laugh if he gets stuck behind Havili at 15, Goodhue at 12, and Ennor at 13.

However, if that leads to Ennor (23) wanting to come to the Chiefs, I'll be happy as...

He'll be our starting 12 next year, Goodhue too valuable at 13.

The Barrett/ Goodhue midfield was unstoppable for Lincoln a few years ago and they combined pretty well for Canterbury too. I've heard Razor say that Jordie will come back at some stage and he considers 12 his best position.

He wont get "stuck" behind anyone..... it's a long season and as you've seen his year, Ennor will get plenty of opportunities at 13/14. There's enough games that you don't start the same players week after week. That's the reason Will Jordan stayed.

@Chris I had also but got it reinforced from a source today

@mikey07 Must be pretty good oil Then, I heard it from within Rugby circles as well.And they would have been different sources.

@SammyC my source said that’s exactly where he wants to play he’s not going to get it stuck behind Laumape I personally believe he’s wasted in the midfield. I think we’re going to be a little light there next year.

What a cop out if he goes to the Crusaders. How boring would this competition be if the Canes lose Beaudy and Jordie.

@Canes4life Its looking very likely the canes will lose both.

@Canes4life Time to give some exciting young talent an opportunity. Nothing boring about that. Personally, I can't wait to see how Toala goes.

You've gained Lomax. You lose some, you gain some.

I like the Look of Toala I think he's a great signing.