Some good signings by the Canes......along with some not so good signings
The front row should be pretty good - May was good last season, Franks is a great addition, Toomaga-Allen dominated during the ITM Cup, while Goodes and Sione look to have a lot of talent. Coles should come back from the AB's a better player, while Matu'u offers a great impact option from the bench.
The locks are as predicted, but I'm slightly surprised that the let Filipo (who had a very good season for Wellington) slip out of their grasp. Reddish is a solid contributor, but I would have thought they could have used this spot to develop a young lock (someone like Joe Latta). There are plenty of options in the loose-forwards - I'm not yet sure what Blade Thomson's best position is but he will be a useful addition to the squad with his versatility.
As for the halves options.... hmmmmm. Perenara and Barrett is a class combination, but I'm not sure about some of the other picks! The Canes predictably missed out on Gibson-Park - indeed I remember some knowledgable poster stating this a month ago:
Someone I think they should genuinely consider is young Taranaki halfback Jamison Gibson-Park, who looks a real talent. I'm sure the Canes will ignore him though (as he isn't from Wellington), then Nick will get all fired up when the Highlanders/Crusaders "poach" him
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Smylie was a good player 5 years ago, but hasn't really done anything for 5 years, while Fisilau's inclusion is sure to raise a few eyebrows. He is a massive halfback, and he has lost a lot of weight this year which seems to have really improved his ability to get around the park (previously he would literally only make it to 50% of the breakdowns), and he has a very good skill-set for such a big man. In many ways he reminds me of Piri Weepu - he can be a bit slow to get the ball out, but he is a genuine playmaking halfback and things can happen when he gets the ball. It will be interested to see how he goes this season.
I'm really not sure what to make of the halves options. For me Tim Bateman is probably the second best 10 in the squad (though he will likely be starting at 12), but the issue with playing him at 10 is you have no goal-kicker. You have the same problem when James Marshall is selected at 10, and for that reason I would have struggled to find room for him in the squad (though I do like his utility value). Finally, I'm not sure about bringing Pisi back either - he was barely used last season, and if recall correctly he is hardly the most accurate goal-kicker either....
I'm slightly surprised to see neither Hayward or Buckman, but I don't think either warranted a spot. Lee-Lo should do a solid job in the midfield if required, but I still think they should have offered Emery a contract. No real surprises out-wide. The starting back three of Savea, Jane, and Taylor is class, while I was very impressed with Leuia during the ITM Cup (after not really rating him previously). I'm glad the Canes managed to sign Proctor - he is not the finished product yet, but he has a lot of talent. Like many others I'm very surprised that Kurt Baker didn't warrant inclusion in any Super Rugby squad, and I think the Canes could have found room for another outside back (whether it be him or Stowers/Lam/Nemani etc). Given the makeup of the squad it seems strange that the showed no interest in Jason Woodward - given they have a number of 10's that can't kick goals I would have thought a quality goal-kicking wing/fullback would have been a real asset! Likewise I think they should have looked at someone like Trent Renata with his ability to play 15 and 10, and kick goals at a good percentage.
If the squad can stay fit they certainly have a good chance of making the playoffs, but the lack of depth means if they have a few injuries I think they will struggle to get that far...
