Exodus
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Frizzell would be the loose forward I would pick to leave. Maybe Jacobson with his history of injuries and concussions.
I wonder which props, other than Ta'avao?
Frizzell would be the loose forward I would pick to leave. Maybe Jacobson with his history of injuries and concussions.
I wonder which props, other than Ta'avao?
Did he specify that it was a current AB or AB? I couldn't read the article.
I'd look at those who appear to have lost their spots, such as Hodgeman or those under pressure, such as Big Karl. Beyond that, former ABs such as Moli or .
If it is a current AB, apart from Ta'avao (the obvious choice), my feeling would be Ofa who doesn't appear to be preferred over Laulala - if that happened at Super level as well, then...
For the hookers, I'd say Coles or Harris or Coltman (depending on definition of current or former) would all be receiving offers and I wouldn't be surprised to see all of them overseas.
For loosies it could also be players like Evans, but I wonder whether Cane sees the writing on the wall and perhaps sees that the time to get his cash is now. He got fucked over at the last world cup and hasn't been guaranteed the captaincy, so looking forward you've have to wonder if he'll make 2023.
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Hodgeman
Can't understand why he wasn't ahead of Bower, KarlT, or especially de Groot. Had a good season and is a much better all round player than anyone except peak form Moody.
I (mostly) agree but can only assume that the coaches have some stats that we don’t see or just don’t trust his set piece work. He’s the sort of player I’d like to have in NZ but if you’ve been overtaken by Bower I’d say you may as well go overseas.
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Foster seems reasonably confident that DMac will sign a NZR contract after his Japanese sabbatical, like Tuipulotu has done.
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Foster seems reasonably confident that DMac will sign a NZR contract after his Japanese sabbatical, like Tuipulotu has done.
That's hopeful, at least. I'd like him back, only because at Super level he can be the difference maker for the Chiefs (assuming he comes back). If he ever learns to play within himself a bit more at 10 he probably has the ceiling to be a starting 10 for the ABs.
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Foster seems reasonably confident that DMac will sign a NZR contract after his Japanese sabbatical, like Tuipulotu has done.
@bovidae Tuipulotu is more of a loss to the Blues than the All Blacks , needed to stand up against the Boks ,just did not front .
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@bovidae Tuipulotu is more of a loss to the Blues than the All Blacks , needed to stand up against the Boks ,just did not front .
@steven-harris Thought he was good against them in Townsville but yes, for the majority of his AB career, he hasn't fronted sadly, and yes, He certainly is a loss for the Blues more than anything.
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@steven-harris Thought he was good against them in Townsville but yes, for the majority of his AB career, he hasn't fronted sadly, and yes, He certainly is a loss for the Blues more than anything.
@african-monkey said in Exodus:
@steven-harris Thought he was good against them in Townsville but yes, for the majority of his AB career, he hasn't fronted sadly, and yes, He certainly is a loss for the Blues more than anything.
One game doesn’t make a career. But over a number of seasons, given his size and obvious athleticism, Patrick hasn’t put i enough performances of quality to demand a starting spot. A bit like Shannon Frizell. Nearly but ?
Damien McKenzie seems more like a 7s rugby player, playing 15s. His preference for running cross field makes it difficult for those supporting him. So while he can beat players, he really relies on broken field situations to be effective - and much more risky in tight games at test level.
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@african-monkey said in Exodus:
@steven-harris Thought he was good against them in Townsville but yes, for the majority of his AB career, he hasn't fronted sadly, and yes, He certainly is a loss for the Blues more than anything.
One game doesn’t make a career. But over a number of seasons, given his size and obvious athleticism, Patrick hasn’t put i enough performances of quality to demand a starting spot. A bit like Shannon Frizell. Nearly but ?
Damien McKenzie seems more like a 7s rugby player, playing 15s. His preference for running cross field makes it difficult for those supporting him. So while he can beat players, he really relies on broken field situations to be effective - and much more risky in tight games at test level.
@kev looks to me that he plays much more to instructions for AB's now. He is more combative at the breakdown contests when in the vicinity but in contrast seeks to put others in position to take a gap more than taking defenders on himself. Bit like a league playmaker making the opposition defence have to cover more options.
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Jesse Parete has signed a 2-year deal with the New England Free Jacks (MLR).
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I don't know him, but Chris Gabriel (Auckland Academy & U19?) has signed with Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi.
https://sports.toyota-shokki.co.jp/rugby/topics/2021/topics20211015.html
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I vaguley remember seeing it posted somewhere else, but to be sure, I'm posting it here:
Jacob Pierce has signed with Toshiba Brave Lupus.
Media release: https://www.bravelupus.com/news/211018_1/
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Jack Whetton has joined Castres as an injury replacement (joker médical).
https://castres-olympique.com/arrivee-de-jack-whetton-en-tant-que-joker-medical/
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This could go in many threads, but Will Warbrick (NZ sevens) believed to have signed with Melbourne Storm
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Ray Tatafu (Counties) has signed with Kyuden Voltex in Japan.
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Slade McDowall (Otago) has signed with the New England Free Jacks.
https://freejacks.com/news/free-jacks-sign-highly-rated-new-zealand-flanker-slade-mcdowall-through-2024/
Isaac Salmon ( Ta$man) has signed with Toronto Arrows.
https://torontoarrows.com/news/signings-211123/
Andy Ellis has re-signed with Rugby United New York. -
@tim I must admit that I don't remember him at all. Is this signing a big loss for the Blues depth?
@stargazer Think this was his first year with the Auckland NPC squad, and unfortunately he didn't get to play.
EDIT: He's only 21, so not much experience! He was in the 2020 NZ U20 training squad. Looks like he got a game off the bench last year against Northland.
