Exodus 2017
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The Cruden thing doesn't quite ring true. I think Cruds is an honest enough bloke that he would have given Shag a heads up instead of playing silly buggers (unless he honestly told him no decision had been made and the offer was made after the game and was too big to refuse).
I can see Fekitoa taking the money. Way too much movement in the AB midfield to come. Also has a likely desire to go for as much money as he can to repay his family. Wouldn't blame him at all.
@Crucial in an interview last week shag was aware of the interest in Dagg, Cruden and BFA, but sad he had emphasized to all 3 they were all in their long term plans which include the next RWC (form dependent)
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I wouldn't be that surprised to see Fekitoa take the money, to be honest. I'm betting he would've fancied his chances to get a starting spot after Nonu and Conrad left, yet he's still sitting on the bench or in the stands and SBW isn't even back yet.
Dagg I can't really see going though, not after he earned his way back into the team and the 14 jersey (which at this point, I wouldn't take away from him even when NMS is back).
But we'll see, hopefully they all re-sign.
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@Siam said in Exodus 2017:
I would have thought Lima might be a hot target.
Disgruntled or determined?
Not at all. Wait for Cruden to sign for Montpellier, and heh presto he is the AB bench 1st-five. He is still young and his later earning potential would be massively enhanced by more than a handful of mostly token AB caps. If Cruden doesn't sign, then put out another big season for the Highlanders, put pressure on Cruden, and there may be injuries too.
I'm finding it weird that everyone feels Fekitoa is flaky and won't be surprised if he signs off-shore, while an ageing Cruden, who is no longer the AB starting 10, and has been offered massive money from Montpellier is likely to be loyal and stay.
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Is there still a minimum number of test caps required to receive a visa for non-PI and European players?
If so, Lima might not meet that requirement with only 6 caps.
I think Cruden will go next year after the Lions series. He's got nothing left to accomplish in NZ with 1 RWC winners medal and 2 Super titles. And his coaching mentor is also leaving NZ.
Dagg and Ben Smith also have big decisions to make.
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@Siam said in Exodus 2017:
I would have thought Lima might be a hot target.
Disgruntled or determined?
Not at all. Wait for Cruden to sign for Montpellier, and heh presto he is the AB bench 1st-five. He is still young and his later earning potential would be massively enhanced by more than a handful of mostly token AB caps. If Cruden doesn't sign, then put out another big season for the Highlanders, put pressure on Cruden, and there may be injuries too.
I'm finding it weird that everyone feels Fekitoa is flaky and won't be surprised if he signs off-shore, while an ageing Cruden, who is no longer the AB starting 10, and has been offered massive money from Montpellier is likely to be loyal and stay.
@Billy-Tell said in Exodus 2017:
@Siam said in Exodus 2017:
I would have thought Lima might be a hot target.
Disgruntled or determined?
Not at all. Wait for Cruden to sign for Montpellier, and heh presto he is the AB bench 1st-five. He is still young and his later earning potential would be massively enhanced by more than a handful of mostly token AB caps. If Cruden doesn't sign, then put out another big season for the Highlanders, put pressure on Cruden, and there may be injuries too.
I'm finding it weird that everyone feels Fekitoa is flaky and won't be surprised if he signs off-shore, while an ageing Cruden, who is no longer the AB starting 10, and has been offered massive money from Montpellier is likely to be loyal and stay.
Sopoaga's still young but Cruden's ageing? There's only two years difference between the two FFS.
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Jeepers the Chiefs fans on the forum are very precious about Cruden.
I hope he stays. I won't be surprised if he goes. NZ rugby will survive without him if he does go. Might be a different matter for the Chiefs.
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Jeepers the Chiefs fans on the forum are very precious about Cruden.
I hope he stays. I won't be surprised if he goes. NZ rugby will survive without him if he does go. Might be a different matter for the Chiefs.
@Billy-Tell At the very very strong risk of proving your first point, I argue your last one!
D-Mac may just be the perfect Super Level first 5.
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Jeepers the Chiefs fans on the forum are very precious about Cruden.
I hope he stays. I won't be surprised if he goes. NZ rugby will survive without him if he does go. Might be a different matter for the Chiefs.
@Billy-Tell said in Exodus 2017:
Jeepers the Chiefs fans on the forum are very precious about Cruden.
I hope he stays. I won't be surprised if he goes. NZ rugby will survive without him if he does go. Might be a different matter for the Chiefs.
I'm not sure why having a different pov than you do is being precious. Maybe some of us have followed the guy a little closer in the past and have picked up things about his personality that we think are relevant.
Sopoaga has spoken openly before about his church based support network in Dunedin that he credits with giving him a good life balance. That would be a factor for him in any overseas ideas.
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Problem isn't just the coach though is it....
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Problem isn't just the coach though is it....
@taniwharugby I really doubt Rennie would tolerate the politics.
Mitchell was mentioned previously. Are the Boks ready for a new journey?
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Hurricane Loni Uhila has signed a one-year (+ 2 years optional) contract with Clermont!
http://www.asm-rugby.com/actus/le-pilier-des-hurricanes-loni-uhila-à-clermont
@Stargazer said in Exodus 2017:
Hurricane Loni Uhila has signed a one-year (+ 2 years optional) contract with Clermont!
http://www.asm-rugby.com/actus/le-pilier-des-hurricanes-loni-uhila-à-clermont
Fair enough. I hope he declares for Tonga, and not France in 3 years time...
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@Stargazer said in Exodus 2017:
Hurricane Loni Uhila has signed a one-year (+ 2 years optional) contract with Clermont!
http://www.asm-rugby.com/actus/le-pilier-des-hurricanes-loni-uhila-à-clermont
Fair enough. I hope he declares for Tonga, and not France in 3 years time...
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Would coaching the Boks jeopardise any future AB coaching chances? Like happened with Deans cosching the Wobs? Or was it more about Deans burning bridges?
@pukunui said in Exodus 2017:
Would coaching the Boks jeopardise any future AB coaching chances? Like happened with Deans cosching the Wobs? Or was it more about Deans burning bridges?
I think it was far less to do with going to the Wallabies, more HOW he went to the Wallabies. Lot of annecdotal feeling in NZ rugby (well, at the time) that he used his very half arsed application for the AB job to leverage up his bargaining position in Australia. Most (all) other NZ coaches heading off shore have bent over backwards to clear it with the NZRFU.
2 sides I guess, others feel he was being screwed around getting told to apply for an AB job that he was never getting no matter how the application went...
