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[2014 Super Rugby] New Zealand conference
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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 602548" data-attributes="member: 24910"><p>I don't know if that is really fair. North Harbour were absolutely dire this season and they only have two less players in Super Rugby than Otago! Bay of Plenty were very poor too, yet they ended up with almost the same number of players as Otago.</p><p></p><p>I think all the Otago players warrant their spots in Super Rugby. As you say, Popoalii is ok at this level (but I still worry about him defensively against big wings...). I would actually rate Parker higher than West <em>at the moment</em>. Parker had an excellent season for Otago - the only area I think West is superior currently is in his running game (and he does have a big advantage here!). Personally I would have loved it if we had picked up West ahead of Ripia (as West has a lot of potential, and Ripia is rubbish...), but that is another story. I do agree in some ways regarding Tanaka, but I still think he warrants a spot in Super Rugby (Frae Wilson on the other hand...).</p><p></p><p>Evans was very good for Otago at the start of the season - he is possibly a fringe selection, but he has some pretty unique skills for a blindside flanker, and I can't think of anyone who I would pick ahead of him. I'm not a fan of Ioane, but he was one of the better Highlanders players at the end of last season. Franklin more than deserves a Super Rugby contract - he was easily Otago's best player this season. He does his core jobs very well, and his running and offloading game has really improved this year. It wouldn't surprise me if he was starting for the Highlanders by the middle of next season if not right from the start).</p><p></p><p>The only Otago player I don't actually think warrants a Super Rugby contract is Tom Donnelly, but there are many hailing him as a great signing for the Blues!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 602548, member: 24910"] I don't know if that is really fair. North Harbour were absolutely dire this season and they only have two less players in Super Rugby than Otago! Bay of Plenty were very poor too, yet they ended up with almost the same number of players as Otago. I think all the Otago players warrant their spots in Super Rugby. As you say, Popoalii is ok at this level (but I still worry about him defensively against big wings...). I would actually rate Parker higher than West [I]at the moment[/I]. Parker had an excellent season for Otago - the only area I think West is superior currently is in his running game (and he does have a big advantage here!). Personally I would have loved it if we had picked up West ahead of Ripia (as West has a lot of potential, and Ripia is rubbish...), but that is another story. I do agree in some ways regarding Tanaka, but I still think he warrants a spot in Super Rugby (Frae Wilson on the other hand...). Evans was very good for Otago at the start of the season - he is possibly a fringe selection, but he has some pretty unique skills for a blindside flanker, and I can't think of anyone who I would pick ahead of him. I'm not a fan of Ioane, but he was one of the better Highlanders players at the end of last season. Franklin more than deserves a Super Rugby contract - he was easily Otago's best player this season. He does his core jobs very well, and his running and offloading game has really improved this year. It wouldn't surprise me if he was starting for the Highlanders by the middle of next season if not right from the start). The only Otago player I don't actually think warrants a Super Rugby contract is Tom Donnelly, but there are many hailing him as a great signing for the Blues! [/QUOTE]
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