Exodus 2016
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="573996" data-time="1461300290">
<div>
<p>Is he definitely staying with the Crusaders?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Well, no, like all men from the South he harbours secret desires of playing for the Blues...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Reading the article, I'd say he's staying in NZ, though.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="572664" data-time="1460768312">
<div>
<p>A talented young kid on the verge of a long AB career chasing the money instead. The AB coaches invested a huge amount of time and effort into him.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Unfortunately, I think a fair bit more to it than simply the above. Offered a HUGE amount of money, and only one leg break away from losing all future earnings.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Would make anybody think.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MajorRage" data-cid="574004" data-time="1461301394"><p>
Unfortunately, I think a fair bit more to it than simply the above. Offered a HUGE amount of money, and only one leg break away from losing all future earnings.<br><br>
Would make anybody think.</p></blockquote>
<br>
The form was very poor though. Tell NZRU you are staying. Sign contract. Forget to pop down to the post office. Sign contract with Ulster. Inform NZRU you are leaving, no chance for a counter-offer. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="573996" data-time="1461300290"><p>
Is he definitely staying with the Crusaders?</p></blockquote>
<br>
He will definitely be sataying down here. It's not mentioned in the article but his wife has a pretty successful personal training business. I know she was keen to stay in chch -
<p>Kurt Baker has signed with Zebre (Pro12)</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sevens/79633643/new-zealand-sevens-star-kurt-baker-announces-switch-to-italian-pro-12-side-zebre'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sevens/79633643/new-zealand-sevens-star-kurt-baker-announces-switch-to-italian-pro-12-side-zebre</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="576981" data-time="1462394219">
<div>
<p>Kurt Baker has signed with Zebre (Pro12)</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sevens/79633643/new-zealand-sevens-star-kurt-baker-announces-switch-to-italian-pro-12-side-zebre'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sevens/79633643/new-zealand-sevens-star-kurt-baker-announces-switch-to-italian-pro-12-side-zebre</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>He is one of those unlikable characters that you would like to run out on the field and kick in the nuts. Good for him.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="578665" data-time="1462917798"><p>He's almost 27, just had the best season of his career and there's a line of young, talented players like Seu, Tucker and Sanders right behind him, so it makes sense to cash in now.</p></blockquote>
<br>
Is Sanders injured for the whole season? -
<p>Jamison Gibson-Park has signed with Leinster.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hayden Triggs has extended his contract with the same club and will remain there for the 2016/17 season.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/news/14920.php#.VzRKscZf2Uk'>http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/news/14920.php#.VzRKscZf2Uk</a></p> -
<p>JGP probably becomes the 2nd best half-back in Ireland overnight...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Expect a green jersey in 3 years time.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="579116" data-time="1463046957"><p>
JGP probably becomes the 2nd best half-back in Ireland overnight...<br><br>
Expect a green jersey in 3 years time.</p></blockquote>
<br>
With the first name Jamison I believe he is immediately eligible for Ireland. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="579140" data-time="1463050786">
<div>
<p>With the first name Jamison I believe he is immediately eligible for Ireland.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>That would be Jameson you're probably thinking of. But in fact the names comes from Scotland, not Ireland.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="579116" data-time="1463046957">
<div>
<p>JGP probably becomes the 2nd best half-back in Ireland overnight...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Expect a green jersey in 3 years time.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I sincerely hope not. Hopefully, he's another Gerhard van den Heever. Another supposed "project player" brought in to get around the NIQ restrictions who is exiting Munster after his contract has run out this season and is not being renewed. Meanwhile, if James Hart could be brought back from Grenoble, he's a much better and Irish scrummie prospect than Gibson-Park. His Irish coach, Bernard Jackman, might encourage him. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Bundee Aki will hopefully have to join a queue including Henshaw, McCloskey, Scannell, Ringrose, Olding, Cave, and Reid being considered ahead of him. Thankfully, Ben Te'o didn't want to wait around another year, and has headed from Leinster to Worcester Warriors to....ahem,,, further his career (play for England through parentage).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Unfortunately, Stander seems here to stay, and is, admittedly, quite handy.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Nathan White hasn't been selected for SA tour and is nearing the retirement exit door anyway. Unfortunately, Quinn Roux, rejected by Leinster after a one-year contract, now playing out of his skin for Connacht, has been included in the 44-man training squad for SA. Hopefully, he doesn't make the grade.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Jake Heenan is a permanent injury case, and there are much better, more experienced backrowers ahead of him.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Rodney Ah you just isn't good enough, as he moves north to Ulster next season. Neither is Michael Bent who qualifies through parentage admittedly.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I see that Agustin Pichot, having taken the No 2 job at World Rugby, is making noises about changing residency rules to 5 years - although he thinks ideally it should be for life. Wonder how far he'll get with that outlook.</p>
