Exodus 2018

I guess Todd signing overseas was to be expected. Clearly being the 2nd best openside flanker in the country for years and consistently being snubbed by the ABs, I guess he expected the same thing to happen for the RC and end-of-year tour.

Can't blame him; one of NZR's most loyan servants. Good luck to him.

Stargazer

@tim I think Todd's unavailability might also help Taufua's case, considering the AB selectors love utility players so much. Great for the bench spot.

Nepia

@stargazer said in Exodus 2018:

I guess Todd signing overseas was to be expected. Clearly being the 2nd best openside flanker in the country for years and consistently being snubbed by the ABs, I guess he expected the same thing to happen for the RC and end-of-year tour.

Can't blame him; one of NZR's most loyan servants. Good luck to him.

It's only been 2 and a half years that he's been the 2nd best openside flanker in the country.

Weird for him to go now - he was probably looking at decent game time in the RC.

Stargazer

@nepia I think it's quite predictable that he was going to be snubbed again. Only 33 men in the squad for the RC and EOYT. I don't think they're going to drop Ardie (it took them years to drop his brother) and also don't expect 3 opensides in the squad.

Tim

Scotty Stevenson, on the Short Ball podcast, insinuated that Savea was picked this series to stop him signing with a French club who had offered him big money.

Bones

@tim While I'm not a fan, that would be a bit shit if they then go ahead and drop him. I really don't see a need for him in the squad, even if they think he's versatile - I doubt anyone is going to be comfortable with him at 8 if he can't even tough it out at 7. I'd much prefer Cane to go to 6/8 with Todd on the bench.

Billy Tell

@tim said in Exodus 2018:

Scotty Stevenson, on the Short Ball podcast, insinuated that Savea was picked this series to stop him signing with a French club who had offered him big money.

In other news, reports are emerging that Lee Harvey Oswald may not, in fact, have pulled the trigger in Dallas.

MajorRage

@tim said in Exodus 2018:

Scotty Stevenson, on the Short Ball podcast, insinuated that Savea was picked this series to stop him signing with a French club who had offered him big money.

I'm dubious about this. Ardie just doesn't seem like he's a starter, more a finisher. Not sure if game plans of 2016 are relevant anymore, but you can't deny that when he came on for the last 20 in a lot of games, he was bloody awesome.

Cane or Todd to start, Ardie on the bench.

Reckon the coaches were just giving him a crack to see if he's now got the ability to change that typecast. An injury prevented answering that unfortunately. With the emergence of Barrett over the last 3 games, you now have him & Savea as outstanding bench options to cover the lock and back row.

The Silver Fern

Exodus 2018