Ben Volavola signs for the Crusaders

[TRF Mr Fish]

http://www.espnscrum.com/super-rugby-2015/rugby/story/265847.html

The Crusaders have taken the extraordinary step of looking to Australia for a fly-half, the seven-time champions signing Waratahs squad member Ben Volavola on a two-year deal.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder had been searching for a replacement for departing All Blacks Dan Carter and Colin Slade for some time, and it appears they have finally found their man with Volavola, who has switched his international allegiance from Australia to Fiji in a bid to play at this year's Rugby World Cup, confirming his move to Christchurch to Rugby News.

"Their track record speaks for itself," Volavola told the publication. "I just wanted to go into another great program to try and grow as a person and a rugby player and hopefully fulfil my potential."

Volavola, who plays with Southern Districts in Sydney's Shute Shield, scored on debut for the Waratahs in the opening round of the 2013 Super Rugby season. But he has fallen out of favour with coach Michael Cheika since then, making just a further seven appearances.

Volavola will follow a trail blazed by Nemani Nadolo, the Brisbane-raised Fijian winger who has been a revelation at the Crusaders since the start of 2014.

This is a first...

 

[nickdnz]

It's dumb is what it is. Why the heck would you sign a young 1st 5/8th who isn't eligible for New Zealand - when we have so many quality young 1st 5/8ths as it is. The Crusaders are looking for a new, #1 fly half. What young 10 in New Zealand wouldn't jump at that opportunity. Richie Mo'unga and Matt McGahan haven't got full contracts and both had excellent ITM Cups. Otere Black looked absolutely class during his appearances for Manawatu, and will be stuck behind Barrett for the next 5 or so years at the Canes (for which his only appearance was a great one). Then you have a guy like Damien McKenzie, who has already shown he has a lot of class but is likely to be stuck behind Cruden until at least 2019. There is also the two Marty's who are down their pecking order at the Highlanders and Blues, while the Blues are playing a 30 year old ahead of their young guns in Ihaia West and Simon Hickey.

All of these guys could be a great signing to work around...

The cynic in me says Blackadder is building his squad around not potentially resting All Blacks..

Doesn't matter anyway to be honest, as giving Blackadder a creative 10 is like giving a dog your WiFi password.

 

[Kiwi_]

It's dumb is what it is. Why the heck would you sign a young 1st 5/8th who isn't eligible for New Zealand - when we have so many quality young 1st 5/8ths as it is. The Crusaders are looking for a new, #1 fly half. What young 10 in New Zealand wouldn't jump at that opportunity. Richie Mo'unga and Matt McGahan haven't got full contracts and both had excellent ITM Cups. Otere Black looked absolutely class during his appearances for Manawatu, and will be stuck behind Barrett for the next 5 or so years at the Canes (for which his only appearance was a great one). Then you have a guy like Damien McKenzie, who has already shown he has a lot of class but is likely to be stuck behind Cruden until at least 2019. There is also the two Marty's who are down their pecking order at the Highlanders and Blues, while the Blues are playing a 30 year old ahead of their young guns in Ihaia West and Simon Hickey.

All of these guys could be a great signing to work around...

The cynic in me says Blackadder is building his squad around not potentially resting All Blacks..

Doesn't matter anyway to be honest, as giving Blackadder a creative 10 is like giving a dog your WiFi password.

Blackadder is killing NZ rugby, as is JK. Get them out ASAP.

2 franchises with some of the best players Rugby has ever seen performing poorly and now doing stupid sh*t like this. Thank God we picked up Fekitoa and Naholo from the Blues as well, otherwise they likely would be overseas.

 

[Patchey]

This is like, the most 'unkiwi' thing I've ever seen. Since when to franchises play non-New Zealandera in key positions?

As a side note, West and Hickey's non-starting is one of the reasons I've found it next to impossible to watch the Blues this year.

 

[Muzzy]

Great news for Fiji hopefully he shows the Warratahs how wrong they were like Nadolo did.

You guys are acting like Volavola is gonna be the only fly half in the team. Itm cup hasn't even started yet who knows which young first fives are gonna stand up to earn a spot.

I like Marty Mckenzie. Id like to see him go to a team where he can start

 

[austingtir]

http://www.espnscrum.com/super-rugby-2015/rugby/story/265847.html



This is a first...

&*& Cough "Desperation" Cough &*&.....

 

[Scrum Bum]

Ben Volavola is a great talent. From what I saw of him in the pre-Folau 'Tahs, I always considered him a talent because of his boot, his cool head, and his height. And he was super young.

But that was at full back. They probably want 1st 5/full back versatility.

I can understand why they picked him, maybe they were locked out of nabbing the likes of Ihaia West/Damian McKenzie/Marty McKenzie/Otere Black/Hayden Parker as a young up-and-comer.

I think it's gonna be a rebuilding phase for them in 2016 if they can't get an experienced 10 instead of two young guns. A stop gap 10 would be Marty Banks, I think he is the best as he is a lot like David Holwell but has a bit of a running game from 15.

As a Highlander I can say with confidence that debut seasons for 10s are usually bad for the team. Since Nick Evans we have been debuting and chopping and changing. However there are exceptions as the likes of DC and Quade Cooper (IIRC) had great debut seasons. Again, they were special players.

 

[Larksea]

yeah... while I dont want to be against overseas players. because the All Blacks are only selected from within NZ when you have overseas players in critical positions like 10 it gets tricky. we only have 5 franchises so that's 5 starting 10's to select 2-3 players from for the All Blacks

the super rugby franchises have an important obligation to develop young talent that is eligible for the All Blacks

I thought blackadder would look to maybe poach one of the McKenzie brothers or black or a least wait for ITM cup before panicking and going overseas.

 

[Five Meters Out]

Otere Black is the man they should be looking at. However, Damien McKenzie went to Christs College, didn't he? For that reason he'd have to be on their radar.
I think they're getting Volavola as a utility.

 

[Picking Daises]

A situation I never thought I'd see the Crusaders facing, and a decision I'd never considered a possibility. Volavola may be a reasonable player, I'd trust Blackadder's judgement in that sense but it's odd that a flyhalf such as Otere Black or Marty McKenzie wasn't snapped up (I'm not aware of their contract status however..). Perhaps Mo'ounga will be developed as the starting 10, with Volavola a utility.

With regard to the Highlanders struggling since Nick Evans (although Sopoaga has settled in now), which is a great point, of any club I'd pick the Crusaders to fair rather well with a rookie 10 given their proven flyhalf development system.

 

[nickdnz]

A situation I never thought I'd see the Crusaders facing, and a decision I'd never considered a possibility. Volavola may be a reasonable player, I'd trust Blackadder's judgement in that sense but it's odd that a flyhalf such as Otere Black or Marty McKenzie wasn't snapped up (I'm not aware of their contract status however..). Perhaps Mo'ounga will be developed as the starting 10, with Volavola a utility.

With regard to the Highlanders struggling since Nick Evans (although Sopoaga has settled in now), which is a great point, of any club I'd pick the Crusaders to fair rather well with a rookie 10 given their proven flyhalf development system.

There's your mistake. Blackadder is total pants.

 

[TRF_heineken]

So basically, Volavola is the reverse Quade Cooper?

 

[Picking Daises]

There's your mistake. Blackadder is total pants.

His coaching record with the Crusaders certainly isn't as good as Deans', and he has perhaps underachieved due to what I perceive to be a lack of creativity, but I wouldn't completely dismiss his knowledge of the game.

 

[nickdnz]

His coaching record with the Crusaders certainly isn't as good as Deans', and he has perhaps underachieved due to what I perceive to be a lack of creativity, but I wouldn't completely dismiss his knowledge of the game.

Possibly, but his selections don't inspire any confidence at all.

How has Nafi Tuitavake got a Super Rugby contract, never mind regularly starts? In the mind-bogglingly many options of outside backs available (never mind losing some of the best wingers from Tasman to the Chiefs), how does Nafi Tuitavake get a Super contract?! How did Adam Whitelock get consistently ahead of Sean Maitland?

Blackadder should never have been put in charge of the Crusaders - I've have backed many coaches including Hammett and Penney ahead of him from the region alone.

 

[InsaneAsylum]

Vola Vola is a quality player, I'm sure it seems like a strange move but equally there wont be any complaints from NZ if the Crusaders get back into the finals next season.

I agree with the above though, should spread West, Marty Mc, Damien Mc and Black around as they're the next wave of good NZ 10's. I really like how Damien Mc plays, doesn't seem phased by big blokes coming at him and has great skills, I rate him above his brother and West, but I haven't seen enough of Black to judge.