Charlie Ngatai to play Club rugby this weekend.

[Larksea]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...er-prolonged-absence-with-concussion-symptoms

awesome news for the chiefs and NZ, lets not forget that before he went out with his concussion issues he was easily the form Midfielder in NZ rugby and was selected for the All Blacks. He does seem like the missing element in the Chiefs back line as well, he and ALB teaming up could be just what the chiefs need to really kick into gear.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

This is the happiest I've been from rugby news in a long long time.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

That is good news.

 

[Caitlyn Jenner]

**** yes! This is great news! That ABs 12 jersey was his before he got injured... hopefully he can get back to that form... and hopefully his head troubles stay away!

 

[The Jones Boy]

Wonderful news for the young man. He deserves a run of injury free rugby.

 

[Radsy]

The man must want to go Lion hunting.

We've been saying he was the missing link for a while. McNichol made me feel safer about the Chiefs' backup plan, but Ngatai is very special.

I'll be praying for his health on every collision, haha. No, Seriously.

 

[Larksea]

well he played 40min at fullback, apparently he has been doing full contact training for a month but his reintroduction is going to be taken slowly so i think that means we wont see him in super rugby till after the next chiefs Bye.

worth noting that from what I can tell James Broadhurst and Kane Barrett (bauden, jordie & Scott's older brother) are both out and probably wont return to Rugby at all. Kane has been gone since 2014 and I think Broadhurst's last game was his test debut(?) after being (IMO) the standout lock in NZ super rugby in 2015.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Another 80 minutes for Ngatai today: http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...tes-in-waikato-club-rugby-as-hautapu-stay-top

Hopefully we will see him in action after the bye (though would love to see him suit up for the Reds match), which gives him four matches before the Lions tour.

How well would he have to play to be selected for the All Blacks for the Lions series? Maybe play the Chiefs or Maori matches then slot in to the team for the third test too? I'm probably dreaming, but I'd love to see it happen.

 

[Radsy]

Good questions. When do they name the All Blacks for the tour anyways?

- - - Updated - - -

Very encouraging that he played a full game after such a short turnaround, and that this one was at second-five!

 

[Larksea]

the all blacks coaches have a policy of not allowing injury layoffs to impact the pecking order, but at the same time it has been almost a year and there are a lot of players in the mix for midfield.

but at the same time, really no one has established themselves.

I think if he comes back in the same form he was in when he went out he will be shuffled straight into the all blacks. But that is a big ask, expect him to take some time getting up to speed.

 

[Caitlyn Jenner]

It all depends on how he plays when he comes back. I'm sure the selectors will be willing to pick him, so if he shows he can do what he was doing a year ago, I think he will be picked.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

He's played 1 and a half games at a very low level of rugby after nearly a year out. The fact Charlie is even playing again after a year is something he will just be grateful for ATM/miracle. Talk of him being picked for the ABs right now is a bit premature without him having a number of games for the Chiefs. Another head knock or recurrence of concussion symptoms and he's right back to doubts about his career. I hope he does get back to where he was, as he is such a quality player, but it could take him another year to play to the level he was before.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

In contrast to the Broadhurst news, Ngatai will be lining up for his club once more this weekend: http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...week-as-he-edges-closer-to-super-rugby-return

 

[Larksea]

ngatai is expected to play for the chiefs this weekend, and by the sound of it will start.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...or-chiefs-after-prolonged-concussion-symptoms

great news. this actually gives him time to be considered for the lions and the selectors will be watching him for sure. pretty important for the chiefs as well because they have been miss firing.

And I absolutely agree with Renee's closing statement. When Ngatai went out he was the form player in the NZ game. No pressure Charlie

 

[Radsy]

Awesome. Will be holding my breath.

Harris coming back will be huge, but he always comes back too bulky and takes a month to round into speed. Elliott and Mitchell have been serviceable, but aren't the ball carriers that Harris is, and we need.

Allardice will be able to freshen up Retallick and Bird.

Nanai-Williams is a lethal substitute.

 

[mania]

agree the prospect of ngatai and crotty playing for the ABs is exciting. both intelligent players. what they lack in muscle they more than make up for in rugbyIQ. ngatai also has a kick just as big as daggs and lowes

 

[Caitlyn Jenner]

Great first hit out, if he was nervous or apprehensive it didn't show... very good performance and definitely didn't shy away from the physicality. I think he is in the reckoning for the ABs and obvs it's too soon to say he should be picked, but if he keeps up the standard of play that he had last year and seems to have started off with this year, he's a real contender.

 

[Larksea]

to me Ngatai did look very nervous early on, just a bit indecisive and he missed a couple of tackles, but he did grow in confidence a bit and got himself into some good situations.
Promising start but clearly needs more conditioning and gametime before he can be considered for the AB's.

 

[Radsy]

I'll second what Larksea is saying. He was actually very hesitant on defense. Early on, he missed every tackle. One nice run out of his own half doesn't make for a full performance. We know what he's capable of, and I expect he will round back into that form.

He's also jacked now, by the way. Easily 20 lbs of muscle added.

 

[Caitlyn Jenner]

The news no one wanted to hear... he's out again, once again suffering concussion symptoms. It came about after training on monday. No one really knows how or why.
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport...ssion-symptoms-will-miss-crusaders-clash.html