Exodus 2016
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Razbra" data-cid="560755" data-time="1456381673">
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<p>Maybe lead with that next time....<br><br>
What about Cruden. Only play 32 tests.<br><br>
Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk</p>
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<p>Still got two more years on his contract.</p> -
<p>Didnt Cruden point to the Lions as a reaosn for not looking at the 7s and Rio?</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="560775" data-time="1456384581">
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<p>Didnt Cruden point to the Lions as a reaosn for not looking at the 7s and Rio?</p>
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<p>I don't remember Cruden ever being in the 7s frame; Barrett and B Smith used that reason though.</p> -
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sevens/67683944/All-Blacks-star-Aaron-Cruden-turns-down-chance-to-make-Olympic-sevens-squad'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sevens/67683944/All-Blacks-star-Aaron-Cruden-turns-down-chance-to-make-Olympic-sevens-squad</a></p>
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<p><span style="color:#fff0f5;"><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;background-color:rgb(16,16,16);">"Gordon asked if I was interested and I'm extremely flattered, but I think for me at this stage, not only the rugby side of it but in terms of things away from rugby as well, it probably just isn't the right time," Cruden told Radio Sport.</span></span></p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);background-color:rgb(16,16,16);"><span style="color:#fff0f5;">"I have aspirations of playing against the Lions in 2017, and maybe taking a year off wouldn't do ... my chances any good."</span></p>
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Cruden would be much less in demand than Barrett in Europe. A specialist 10 with a short kicking range hitting about 70% accuracy compared to a guy who can win matches in the last 20 with his speed etc and covers 10 and 15. Ok not such a great goal kicker either.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="560805" data-time="1456402492">
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<p>Cruden would be much less in demand than Barrett in Europe. A specialist 10 with a short kicking range hitting about 70% accuracy compared to a guy who can win matches in the last 20 with his speed etc and covers 10 and 15. Ok not such a great goal kicker either.</p>
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<p>Well that is bonkers if it is truly the case, and I'm not sure it actually is. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="560856" data-time="1456439957">
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<p>Well that is bonkers if it is truly the case, and I'm not sure it actually is. </p>
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<p>I really do think it is the case. Barrett is a genuine star in Europe. The number of high profile games where he has scored important tries in the last 20 minutes, not least the RWC final. Maybe some of our non-Kiwi people can comment: your club has free choice of Barrett or Cruden, who would you choose and who do you think most of your fans would choose?</p>
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<p>From knowing a fair number of Irish folk, it would definitely be Barrett.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="560871" data-time="1456443360">
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<p>I'd want a 1st 5 who has demonstrated he can lead his team around the park and win titles. </p>
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<p>Barrett's impact would be similar to Evans at a UK club.</p>
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<p>Sounds like it's Cruden for you.</p>
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<p>Evans has become a complete legend at Quins is my understanding, not that I follow English club rugby very closely.</p>
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<p>FWIW, I think Cruden <strong>IS</strong> the better 1st five.</p>
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<p>But I think European clubs would pay more for the Barrett package, he's more marketable off the field too I would imagine.</p> -
<p>Totally off-topic and a bit left field, but I remember when BB first hit the scene. I kept waiting for the commentator to say his first name. Joe Beauden-Barrett for example.</p>
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<p>Finally the penny dropped...</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="560871" data-time="1456443360"><p>I'd want a 1st 5 who has demonstrated he can lead his team around the park and win titles. <br><br>
Barrett's impact would be similar to Evans at a UK club.</p></blockquote>
That's pro Barrett then right? Evans is a legend in Euro rugby. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="561112" data-time="1456475958">
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<p>That's pro Barrett then right?</p>
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<p>No, quite the opposite. </p>
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<p>Evans is a legend in Euro rugby.</p>
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<p>Yes, but apart from one Aviva what have Quins won? Like Barrett, he's a very good player but is style over substance. </p>
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<p>While I think Barrett would be more valuable to a club due to his versatility, if I wanted a 1st 5 who offered me the best chance of winning I'd choose Cruden.</p> -
<p>Fonotia is off to the Ospreys after the ITM Cup season</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/77366361/crusader-fonotia-signs-with-ospreys'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/77366361/crusader-fonotia-signs-with-ospreys</a></p> -
<p>And here's the official news from the Ospreys about the Fonotia signing:</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.ospreysrugby.com/News/Article/44206'>http://www.ospreysrugby.com/News/Article/44206</a></p>
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<p>Edit: I didn't realise he's already 28!</p> -
A good signing for Ospreys and the Crusaders.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="561227" data-time="1456520344">
<div><br><p>Yes, but apart from one Aviva what have Quins won? Like Barrett, he's a very good player but is style over substance. </p>
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<p>While I think Barrett would be more valuable to a club due to his versatility, if I wanted a 1st 5 who offered me the best chance of winning I'd choose Cruden.</p>
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<p>With Evans its more he has often stopped Quins getting reamed, made them a mid table team rather than relegation fodder. He's been consistently outstanding, but surrounded by some very shithouse players. I mean the shining lights of that backline are Winston Stanley & Marland Yarde FFS...</p>
