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Cruden re-signs with Chiefs and NZRU
- Thread starter TRF_Cymro
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Re-signed? He only signed there last fall!
Yeah, for the first time in years we've got exceptional promise in the 5/8ths. With Barrett, Cruden, Anscombe, Slade, Sopoanga and Bleyendaal all backing up Dan (who's signed till 2015) we're not going to have to worry about our depth for quite some time.
...and the other 12 fly-halves better than England's best, eh Wayne Smith??
Dunno why Slade is being considered, he'll be out injured again by April Fools'...
Haha, I also don't think he has the same potential as Cruden, Barrett or Anscombe. He looked really average during the RWC.
Dizzy
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Barrett and Cruden are the only two potential back ups for me at the moment. And it's not just because they're from the Hurricanes. They're both certain goal kickers, show alot of leadership for their age and they run their backline well. Anscombe might come into the fold later on, after his dazzling game on the weekend. But imo these two are the only two frontrunners at the moment. Sopoaga is inconsistent, Bleyendaal hasn't shown much promise imo and I never rated Slade.
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Between Cruden, Barrett and Anscombe there will be some good battles for the backup role to DC over the next few years. You'd have to think Cruden is the backup if the AB's were chosen right now since he has a proven body of work behind him now and keeps on improving. Slade looks uncomfortable at 10, Blyendaal hasn't impressed at all, Sopoaga can be a good runner but the rest of his game needs work.
slade is a better player than he showed in the world cup, it didn't help that he was selected on almost no rugby in 2011 after multiple jaw injuries.
He was basically selected on 2010 ITM(?) cup form where he was super good and half a test match where he replaced Cruden and looked very assured.
If slade can strong some games together and importantly get his kicking for goal over 70% and looking good then there is no reason for him not to be in the running. The fact he's a genuine option at 15 or 11 as well helps his chances and was a factor in his selection for the WC. I mean how many super rugby games has slade played in the last two years? Bugger all.
10 has kinda been strange in NZ for quite some time. Heck look back over the last 5-6 years only two players have genuinely taken ownership of the #10 position in super rugby for an extended period of time. They are Stephen Donald and Dan Carter for the chiefs and Crusaders. All the other teams have chopped and changed 10's through form, inexperience or injury or just haven't found someone good enough.
But finally things look quite settled, cruden has grown enough to take on the responsibility at the chiefs, Barrett though still a whipper snapper looks like he is going to get the lions share with the canes. Slade is almost fit and firing and should assume command at 10 for the highlanders and Anscombe's showing for the blues will elevate his status and maybe finally solve the blues problem that they have had at 10 for many years...
He was basically selected on 2010 ITM(?) cup form where he was super good and half a test match where he replaced Cruden and looked very assured.
If slade can strong some games together and importantly get his kicking for goal over 70% and looking good then there is no reason for him not to be in the running. The fact he's a genuine option at 15 or 11 as well helps his chances and was a factor in his selection for the WC. I mean how many super rugby games has slade played in the last two years? Bugger all.
10 has kinda been strange in NZ for quite some time. Heck look back over the last 5-6 years only two players have genuinely taken ownership of the #10 position in super rugby for an extended period of time. They are Stephen Donald and Dan Carter for the chiefs and Crusaders. All the other teams have chopped and changed 10's through form, inexperience or injury or just haven't found someone good enough.
But finally things look quite settled, cruden has grown enough to take on the responsibility at the chiefs, Barrett though still a whipper snapper looks like he is going to get the lions share with the canes. Slade is almost fit and firing and should assume command at 10 for the highlanders and Anscombe's showing for the blues will elevate his status and maybe finally solve the blues problem that they have had at 10 for many years...
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I'm still of the opinion that slade has never done anything noteworthy in the 10 shirt. That season of itm cup he played mainly at 15 from memory, and as for that mythical half for the ABs.. Don't even get me started. I wish you could put money on things like slade never playing for the ABs again, I'd be all over it.
