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<blockquote data-quote="bobbilycious" data-source="post: 531499" data-attributes="member: 14157"><p>For once, I disagree with you, Darwin. I don't think that Highlanders' signings are anything remotely like the Chiefs'. The way I see it, the Chiefs used a Moneyball-style approach and signed up players that they could get with little money. These included an unwanted, but talented player (Robbie Robinson), talented players that hadn't yet shown their full ability at ITM Cup level (Declan O'Donnell, Maritino Nemani), and players that had performed at ITM Cup level but, for various reasons, other franchises weren't exactly jumping to get at (Andrew Horrell, Michael Fitzgerald, Shane Cleaver, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Alex Bradley, Josh Hohneck). These were bolstered by two young but very talented players (Ben Tameifuna, Brodie Retallick) and two high profile signings (Sonny Bill Williams, Aaron Cruden). Now Mahoni Schwalger was also signed but I wouldn't exactly put him up there with the likes of Cruden. He wasn't starting on a regular basis for the Highlanders (and the player in front of him was playing very well, but it isn't like he was the best in the world). Most of these guys would have been seen as average signings, and like I said, there are two or three good ones there.</p><p></p><p>In the same period, the Highlanders signed up a very good first-five (he wasn't starting for the Crusaders, but he had represented the All Blacks), Hosea Gear and Andrew Hore. Now these have been followed by Tony Woodcock, and Ma'a Nonu. To add some balance, you also signed up some young and promising players (Ma'afu Fia, Elliot Dixon, Aaron Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Shaun Treeby, Telusa Veainu, Kurt Baker), some players who struggled for game time in other franchises (Callum Retallick, Jarrad Hoeata, Nick Crosswell, Kade Poki), some guys largely overlooked by other franchises (Doug Tietjens, Siale Piutau, Chris Noakes), an English international and two All Blacks returning from overseas (Thorn, Ellison), Now, first off, you said you didn't include Andrew Hore as he was originally from the Highlanders region. I don't see how this is relevant. There is now very little connection between provincial and SuoeRugby level. Each province is now a feeder for any franchise. What is relevant is that Andrew Hore had 92 caps for the All Blacks and was an established starting player for the Hurricanes when he was 'poached'. If we weren't to consider Andrew Hore, this would mean that if in several years Ma'afu Fia, Aaron Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Shaun Treeby and Kurt Baker (after three years of being in the All Blacks and carving up for club and country - all hypothetical) were bought back by the Hurricanes, they wouldn't be considered poaches which would seem rather bizarre - I'm sure you would consider them poaches. So as I see it, that is 5 (out of 15 starting players) compared to 2 (out of 15) poached. I believe that is a huge difference.</p><p></p><p>Now I've got that out the way, I don't think it really even matters if even their whole squad is 'poached'. I don't think anyone should blame the Highlanders for this. If a guy like Ma'a Nonu is looking for a new team, you're not going to say no. Blame the players or the Hurricanes (and other teams) management for letting these players go but I don't think Highlanders are to blame at all. And either way, it really is just the nature of professional sport.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="bobbilycious, post: 531499, member: 14157"] For once, I disagree with you, Darwin. I don't think that Highlanders' signings are anything remotely like the Chiefs'. The way I see it, the Chiefs used a Moneyball-style approach and signed up players that they could get with little money. These included an unwanted, but talented player (Robbie Robinson), talented players that hadn't yet shown their full ability at ITM Cup level (Declan O'Donnell, Maritino Nemani), and players that had performed at ITM Cup level but, for various reasons, other franchises weren't exactly jumping to get at (Andrew Horrell, Michael Fitzgerald, Shane Cleaver, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Alex Bradley, Josh Hohneck). These were bolstered by two young but very talented players (Ben Tameifuna, Brodie Retallick) and two high profile signings (Sonny Bill Williams, Aaron Cruden). Now Mahoni Schwalger was also signed but I wouldn't exactly put him up there with the likes of Cruden. He wasn't starting on a regular basis for the Highlanders (and the player in front of him was playing very well, but it isn't like he was the best in the world). Most of these guys would have been seen as average signings, and like I said, there are two or three good ones there. In the same period, the Highlanders signed up a very good first-five (he wasn't starting for the Crusaders, but he had represented the All Blacks), Hosea Gear and Andrew Hore. Now these have been followed by Tony Woodcock, and Ma'a Nonu. To add some balance, you also signed up some young and promising players (Ma'afu Fia, Elliot Dixon, Aaron Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Shaun Treeby, Telusa Veainu, Kurt Baker), some players who struggled for game time in other franchises (Callum Retallick, Jarrad Hoeata, Nick Crosswell, Kade Poki), some guys largely overlooked by other franchises (Doug Tietjens, Siale Piutau, Chris Noakes), an English international and two All Blacks returning from overseas (Thorn, Ellison), Now, first off, you said you didn't include Andrew Hore as he was originally from the Highlanders region. I don't see how this is relevant. There is now very little connection between provincial and SuoeRugby level. Each province is now a feeder for any franchise. What is relevant is that Andrew Hore had 92 caps for the All Blacks and was an established starting player for the Hurricanes when he was 'poached'. If we weren't to consider Andrew Hore, this would mean that if in several years Ma'afu Fia, Aaron Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Shaun Treeby and Kurt Baker (after three years of being in the All Blacks and carving up for club and country - all hypothetical) were bought back by the Hurricanes, they wouldn't be considered poaches which would seem rather bizarre - I'm sure you would consider them poaches. So as I see it, that is 5 (out of 15 starting players) compared to 2 (out of 15) poached. I believe that is a huge difference. Now I've got that out the way, I don't think it really even matters if even their whole squad is 'poached'. I don't think anyone should blame the Highlanders for this. If a guy like Ma'a Nonu is looking for a new team, you're not going to say no. Blame the players or the Hurricanes (and other teams) management for letting these players go but I don't think Highlanders are to blame at all. And either way, it really is just the nature of professional sport. [/QUOTE]
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