@sbw1 said in Crusaders 2027:
Are we likely to better next year?
Probably a building year some good young players in the squad looking to the future.
F McLEOD,X TRACEY,C ROBERTS,O MATHIS,J LEE,M LETUI,K MCDONALD,M KANAWAVE
plus some young players with experience
J HANNAH,T CAHILL,T KEMERA,T BELL,N HOTHAM,G BELL
PLUS SOME EXPERIENCE
C TAYLOR,T WILLIAMS,G BOWER,F NEWELL,S BARRETT,CLW,E BLACKADDER,K PRESTON,R REIHANA,R MOUNGA,LF,W JORDAN,C FIHAKI ETC
@sbw1 said in Crusaders 2027:
Mounga will be massive. Are we likely to get any new signings. We haven't had any overseas marquee players like JOC or Pablo for a few years.
I wouldn't expect anything splashy, the team is pretty well set-up with first choice guys across the park, but they have squad spots to fill and some positional groups in dire need of an experienced hand so I would expect some signings. Tamanivalu being back in the country sticks out to me as a potential name.
@chris said in Crusaders 2027:
Gibson Popoali'i is another name of have heard along with Tamanivalu as possibilities.
He lived down there for a while so he knows the place.
@chris said in Crusaders 2027:
Gibson Popoali'i is another name I have heard along with Tamanivalu as possibilities.
I'm stoked to hear that
Gibson absolutely dominated club rugby down here for a couple of seasons, deserves a chance
Crusaders are desperately going to need outside backs and centres, that's where effectively our entire starting lineup has gone. Looks like Fainga'anuku will have to move back to centre, need the depth. one of McNicholl, Jordan may have to play wing. Reihana or Kemara may shift to the wing too, I've heard rumours Reihana may be moved to 2nd five but how true that is TBD. Young Kurtis Macdonald will be a big asset.
Wonder what players can be transferred in to fill more of our depth out the back.
@dh11 said in Crusaders 2027:
Crusaders are desperately going to need outside backs and centres, that's where effectively our entire starting lineup has gone. Looks like Fainga'anuku will have to move back to centre, need the depth. one of McNicholl, Jordan may have to play wing. Reihana or Kemara may shift to the wing too, I've heard rumours Reihana may be moved to 2nd five but how true that is TBD. Young Kurtis Macdonald will be a big asset.
Wonder what players can be transferred in to fill more of our depth out the back.
Toby Bell,Leicester,Corey Evans.Cooper Roberts one more Mid fielder to be signed.
Springer,Fihaki,Kanawave and McDonald wing is sorted.
McNicol won’t be resigned.
Mounga is in discussion to sign through to 2029 Source Crusaders.
@dh11 said in Crusaders 2027:
@chris McNicholl won't be re-signed? Why? Had a great season and was great cover for Will Jordan. I know he's up there in age but surely you'd keep him around with the form he's in
I'm not seeing the Crusaders say that but maybe I'm not looking in the right places lol
Or not talking to the right people.
McNicol is 36 injury prone just time to move on and groom someone to take over from Jordan who maybe going overseas in a couple of years.
I mean I am seeing a RugbyJP article where Mo'unga explicitly states he's keen to return to Japan in 2028 if the cards fall that way so.... maybe the negotiations are one sided at the moment?
@dh11 said in Crusaders 2027:
I mean I am seeing a RugbyJP article where Mo'unga explicitly states he's keen to return to Japan in 2028 if the cards fall that way so.... maybe the negotiations are one sided at the moment?
Well he is in talks the 2029 British Lions tour seems to be the carrot.
Nothing signed as yet but talks are both ways according to my sources which are good .
A lot will depend on his place within the AB set up.
Many an article is written you will find a lot of the jurnos are on here and get some stories from people on here with sources.
@dh11 said in Crusaders 2027:
@chris Interesting, see how rennie places him I guess with Love, Dmac and BB
Yep that will be key to what Ritchie ends up doing.
You'd hope Fihaki is a All Black sooner rather than later? One of the most versatile players in the country and a very good performer too, certainly someone you can't lose to overseas
@dh11 said in Crusaders 2027:
You'd hope Fihaki is an All Black sooner rather than later? One of the most versatile players in the country and a very good performer too, certainly someone you can't lose to overseas
Why should we hope that? He extended through 2028 3 months ago…..
@landers92 Contracts can be broken, we know that much! But also just for longevity in NZ rugby. You can't tell me you wouldn't want Fihaki to be a All Black?
@dh11 said in Crusaders 2027:
@landers92 Contracts can be broken, we know that much! But also just for longevity in NZ rugby. You can't tell me you wouldn't want Fihaki to be an All Black?
Mate, he signed like 3 months ago. Nothing will be broken for at least 2 years if anything.
In response to your comment ‘you can’t tell me you wouldn’t want Fihaki to be an All Black?’. I can in fact tell you that I sure as hell don’t want him to he an All Black
