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VIDEO: Crusaders retain key player for 2018
By RugbyPass
Three test All Black Seta Tamanivalu will spend a second season in red and black next year, having re-signed with the Crusaders for 2018.
The winger said it was a relatively straight-forward decision when he thought about how much he has been enjoying this first year with the team.
The timing of the announcement comes a day before Tamanivalu's Crusaders are to face his old team, the Chiefs, in the Super Rugby semi finals. He joined the Chiefs in 2015 but moved south to play his third Super Rugby season with the Crusaders this year.
Born in Fiji and formerly an Under 18 Fiji Rugby League representative, Tamanivalu burst onto the New Zealand rugby scene in 2012 when he was selected in the Taranaki provincial team. In 2014 he was recognised as New Zealand’s provincial Player of the Year. He debuted for the All Blacks in 2016 during the three test series against Wales.
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson praised Tamanivalu for the important contribution he has made to the team, on and off the field, in his first season here.
“Seta came here with a winning attitude and a desire to make an impact on this team. There is no doubt that he has done that. The boys love having him around because of his fun-loving nature and cheeky humour, but then he takes the field and transforms into this threatening, potent attacking force. We love that about him and we are excited that we will be able to continue working with his natural talents in 2018.”
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It might be legal but he’s sailing pretty close to the wind. Not a lot needs to go wrong for Finau to end up in the bin. Was it late? Not quite, but borderline. High? A couple of CM within the laws, no room for error with that one. Did he wrap the arms? There was a token effort to wrap one arm, the intent was clearly to hit with the shoulder. So yeah, it’s legal, just. But as we all know, a very slight change in the dynamics could easily have him seeing red. Hopefully not when it really matters.
Go to commentsYou forget this is Rassie Erasmus who is still holding the Springbok keys. Even with Felix Jones orchestrating a really tight RWC SF last year. It still wasn't enough to get England past their particular Springbok Monkey in world cups. The reason is FJ was going off of what they did in 2019 not necessarily adapting to current Springboks. So yes, Australia can get passed England because let's be honest, England have a one track strategy, Springboks do not. Even with rush defense I wouldn't be surprised if Rassie continually tweaks it. Also bear in mind Rassie is happy to sacrifice a few mid year and inter World Cup matches to pin point how opposition plays and how to again tweak strategies to get his Springboks in peak performance for the next World Cup. As much as most teams like to win games in front of them and try to win everything, Rassie always makes sure to learn and train for the greatest showdown International Rugby has to offer. Tbh, most people remember World Cup wins and ignore intermediate losses as a result but will remember also WC losses, Ireland, even if they won games in the interim. So even if games are won against the Springboks, it's likely Rassie is just getting a feel for how opposition is moving and adapt accordingly…in time. For Rassie, a loss is never a loss because he uses it as a chance to learn and improve. Sometimes during a game, again like the England match in last year's Semi Final.
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