Exodus

Tim

@Nevorian Should have been our starting 10 at the 2007 World Cup.

canefan

@canefan said in Exodus:

@Chris-B said in Exodus:

@mikedogz Charles Piutau and Steven Luatua don't appear to be in this guy's lists.

They're probably the two that I would most have liked to keep.

Based on these lists, anyway, we haven't been too badly hurt by the exodus to Europe. Some guys who turned out to be very handy, but not many superstars.

Bundee was one who got away.

Guys like Simon Mannix and Jimmy Gopperth come to mind, as journeymen who end up having long and productive careers in the UK

And Nick Evans? Probably slightly more talented than a journeyman but always in DCs shadow

Peak Evans would walk into the squad now

nostrildamus

@Nevorian said in Exodus:

Who wouldn't have been in DC's shadow?

I understand Evans was highly rated in Europe so
"slightly more talented than a journeyman" seems a little harsh.

SBW1

What about the present crop, because there are a tonne of guys who have gone over in the last few years, Jack Goodhue, Lam many names not on that list. An interesting thing is a couple of Kiwis who went over to rep for England like Will Heinze and Brad Shields have returned home at or near the end of their careers, wonder if we see a few more doing that.

nostrildamus

@SBW1 said in Exodus:

What about the present crop, because there are a tonne of guys who have gone over in the last few years, Jack Goodhue, Lam many names not on that list. An interesting thing is a couple of Kiwis who went over to rep for England like Will Heinze and Brad Shields have returned home at or near the end of their careers, wonder if we see a few more doing that.

at least Shields seemed to have maintained a consistent level of ball-handling skills.

Billy Tell

Rua Tipoki and Doug Howlett (Munster). Brad Thorn and Isa Nacewa (Leinster).

SBW1

What would be interesting is an updated list on overseas based players, who hypothetically could play for the Abs if the rules changed.

Mr Fish

Off the top of my head, only including past All Blacks...

PR - Laulala, Tu'inukuafe
HK - N/A
LK - Hemopo, Retallick
LF - Frizell, Ioane, Cane, Sowakula, Whitelock
HB - Smith, Perenara, Weber, Kerr-Barlow
FH - Mo'unga
CT - Laumape, Goodhue, Saili, Ngatai
OB - Bridge, Fainga'anuku

There's maybe five or six guys there that would definitely shore up the current squad but only a few who'd be in contention for starting - Smith, Mo'unga, Laumape, Fainga'anuku?

Tim

Afoa and Faumuina are the obvious choices for props.

Tim

Howlett, Piutau, Luatua, Vito, Thorn, Retallick, Ioane, Evans, Nacewa, Fainga'anuku all good players

Mr Fish

@Tim said in Exodus:

Howlett, Piutau, Luatua, Vito, Thorn, Retallick, Ioane, Evans, Nacewa, Fainga'anuku all good players

I know we're unhappy with Reece but I'm not sure a 46-year-old Howlett would've caught Bielle-Biarrey either.

SBW1

Has Ngani signed to play in Japan, thought he was considering coming back to New Zealand next year?

Mr Fish

@SBW1 said in Exodus:

Has Ngani signed to play in Japan, thought he was considering coming back to New Zealand next year?

He's with Kobe for the upcoming season, at the very least.

Nepia

@Mr-Fish said in Exodus:

Off the top of my head, only including past All Blacks...

PR - Laulala, Tu'inukuafe
HK - N/A
LK - Hemopo, Retallick
LF - Frizell, Ioane, Cane, Sowakula, Whitelock
HB - Smith, Perenara, Weber, Kerr-Barlow
FH - Mo'unga
CT - Laumape, Goodhue, Saili, Ngatai
OB - Bridge, Fainga'anuku

There's maybe five or six guys there that would definitely shore up the current squad but only a few who'd be in contention for starting - Smith, Mo'unga, Laumape, Fainga'anuku?

I don't think there's any point including guys like Smith. If not playing the NH he'd likely be retired.

Same with including a guy like Ioane in these lists, the current coaches will never pick him.

Also, is the Whitelock in your loose forwards Luke? Lucky lucky lucky Luke?

The hypotheticals need to be realistic ...

SBW1

@Mr-Fish Any chance of another stint at Super Rugby in NZ?

Mr Fish

@Nepia it's simply all the capped All Blacks who are still playing professionally outside of NZ.

Mr Fish

@SBW1 said in Exodus:

@Mr-Fish Any chance of another stint at Super Rugby in NZ?

Theoretically yes but he's already 31 and no doubt on good coin at Kobe so suspect he'll just stay in Japan as long as he can to fund that upcoming retirement.

Devon Kiwi

Rumours in the UK that Harry Plummer off to Clermont

Mr Fish

@Devon-Kiwi already been announced by Blues and Clermont!

Billy Tell

News travels by carrier pigeon to far flung Devon.

The Silver Fern

Exodus