Exodus 2017

Stargazer

All that speculation by the media is annoying and not more than click bait. Why not just wait for an official announcement from either Toulon, the player or NZR?

Bones

I'm not as down on Fekitoa as most, but if that is true, fuck his regrets.

Billy Tell

@Bones said in Exodus 2017:

I'm not as down on Fekitoa as most, but if that is true, fuck his regrets.

+1. We see what transpires but if it was toys out of cot then later regret...

Bones

@Billy-Tell I'm sure he won't mind counting out his regrets in euros.

Tim

NZ Herald got it wrong again.

All Black Malakai Fekitoa will probably leave New Zealand this year, and probably for Toulon, but his agent says the midfielder hasn't signed a contract yet and could in fact stay.

The Herald reported yesterday that Fekitoa, 25, had agreed to move to the French club but was having second thoughts, but his agent Craig Innes has insisted the Highlanders player hadn't signed anything.

"He hasn't actually signed a contract and he hasn't agreed to anything," Innes said.

"Nothing has been sent back to Toulon. I'm not denying that there have been talks [with other clubs] but he is going through a process."

Asked whether it was a possible that Fekitoa could sign a new contract with New Zealand Rugby, Innes said: "At this stage anything is a possibility.

Innes added that should Fekitoa leave, he would do so after playing for Auckland in the national provincial championship.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11888906

taniwharugby

@Tim who knows who to believe...I know a few years ago when it was being reported Ranger was leaving (after he had a superb season) he and his manager both claimed he hadn't signed, but he had.

Maybe Malakai is waiting until TRC squad is named before the 'official' official announcement

Stargazer

@Tim Mate, it's all click bait and you're biting! :mouse_three_button:

I'm sure they already have a new "development" in that story ready for publication in the next few days ...

Frye

Chiefs just posted photos from a farewell dinner.

I knew TKB, Cruden, Leitch, Lowe and Elliot were off. But they also had Tom Sanders there, anyone know where he's off to?

Tim

@Frye Blues, Crusaders, and Hurricanes could all do with an 8/6.

Wurzel

Hopefully the Crusaders... Scott Robertson has been his NPC coach the last few seasons.

Stargazer

I don't see why Sanders would do better at the Crusaders than prior to his move to the Chiefs?
The Crusaders might prefer waiting for the return of Whetu Douglas after his stint in Italy.

Frye

I just hope he's not leaving NZ. Can't afford to lose that second tier.

Chris B.

@Stargazer I quite like the look of Sanders and he's still pretty young, so should be getting better.

But, I don't see where the Crusaders would fit him in - we've already got Read, Taufua, Todd, Samu, Brown, Bedwell-Curtis, and Dunshea on the books as loose-forwards.

We'd have to cut one of the last two and I'm not sure Sanders is necessarily any better. HBC has gone alright and Dunshea looked good for the Barbarians.

Nepia

@Frye said in Exodus 2017:

I just hope he's not leaving NZ. Can't afford to lose that second tier.

I've actually erroneously thought that Sanders was English the entire time he's been with the Chiefs. Unsure where I got that idea.

Rapido

@Nepia said in Exodus 2017:

@Frye said in Exodus 2017:

I just hope he's not leaving NZ. Can't afford to lose that second tier.

I've actually erroneously thought that Sanders was English the entire time he's been with the Chiefs. Unsure where I got that idea.

Probably mixed him up with Cantabrian Symon/Symons, who was English and a lock.

Nepia

@Rapido said in Exodus 2017:

@Nepia said in Exodus 2017:

@Frye said in Exodus 2017:

I just hope he's not leaving NZ. Can't afford to lose that second tier.

I've actually erroneously thought that Sanders was English the entire time he's been with the Chiefs. Unsure where I got that idea.

Probably mixed him up with Cantabrian Symon/Symons, who was English and a lock.

Ah right! That's it. Thanks.

Kruse

@Frye said in Exodus 2017:

Chiefs just posted photos from a farewell dinner.

I knew TKB, Cruden, Leitch, Lowe and Elliot were off. But they also had Tom Sanders there, anyone know where he's off to?

Any good shots of the presumably topless waitresses?

Beige XI

"CONNACHT AND THE IRFU have today announced the signing of Jarrad Butler from the Brumbies."

http://www.the42.ie/connacht-announce-jarrad-butler-signing-3490308-Jul2017/

Stargazer

Just a rumour, and it probably won't happen, but ..... arrggghhhh

Damian McKenzie set for move to Leicester Tigers - report

Chiefs livewire Damian McKenzie is in advanced talks to join England top tier side Leicester Tigers according to reports out of the UK.

The 22-year-old has been a key cog for the Chiefs this season, but the Rugby Paper suggests he has been questioning his place in New Zealand Rugby after finding himself low in the All Blacks pecking order.

Called up to the national side for last year's Rugby Championship, McKenzie was underwhelming in the few times he made it on the park.

McKenzie was recently called into the All Blacks during the Lions series but only after an injury to superstar fullback Ben Smith. He was also used as a back-up to newcomer Jordie Barrett.

The Tigers had reportedly taken an interest in Damian's brother Marty before setting their sights on the All Blacks fringe player.

In 2016, McKenzie fended off contract offers from the Blues and the Crusaders to stay at the Chiefs until the end of the 2018 Super Rugby season.

A move to Leicester would see him join the likes of former Blues flanker Brendon O'Connor as well as England backs George Ford and Manu Tuilagi.

Newshub.

akan004

@Stargazer I posted this rumour a few weeks ago. It was mentioned on the RugbyPod by Andy Goode and he seemed pretty convinced that it was happening.

What a blow this would be if confirmed to be true, we can't afford to lose guys of his caliber. He's arguably the best player at Super level.

The Silver Fern

Exodus 2017