Chiefs 2025
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@Crazy-Horse said in Chiefs 2025:
Any sign of Wallace?
ABs wouldn't be training yet would they? Thought they didn't start until later.
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@Dan54 said in Chiefs 2025:
@Crazy-Horse said in Chiefs 2025:
Any sign of Wallace?
ABs wouldn't be training yet would they? Thought they didn't start until later.
I think it's optional for ABs to come back early. Billy Proctor for example is already back with the Canes.
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@Canes4life it is ridiculous how guys like Proctor who had so little playing time for the ABs are also restricted on when they return to thier Super teams.
Did his inclusion in the ABs also restrict his NPC game time?
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@taniwharugby said in Chiefs 2025:
@Canes4life it is ridiculous how guys like Proctor who had so little playing time for the ABs are also restricted on when they return to thier Super teams.
Did his inclusion in the ABs also restrict his NPC game time?
Setting aside Proctor as he returned for the birth of a child (IIRC) does game time really matter if a player has been with the ABs, especially on an EOYT, as they're still away that whole time training, doing media etc, they're still doing the same job aside from being out on the field for 80m once a week.
Also, aren't these rests part of the players agreement rather than NZR directives?
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@Nepia said in Chiefs 2025:
@taniwharugby said in Chiefs 2025:
@Canes4life it is ridiculous how guys like Proctor who had so little playing time for the ABs are also restricted on when they return to thier Super teams.
Did his inclusion in the ABs also restrict his NPC game time?
Setting aside Proctor as he returned for the birth of a child (IIRC) does game time really matter if a player has been with the ABs, especially on an EOYT, as they're still away that whole time training, doing media etc, they're still doing the same job aside from being out on the field for 80m once a week.
Also, aren't these rests part of the players agreement rather than NZR directives?
That's it, I think Proctor has probably been given an exemption considering he returned early. When is the return date for ABs anyway?
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@Nepia well thats the point, most of these guys wanna play, and given the lack of play for most of the fringe players, more so they are usually pulled form NPC as well, they are playing alot less...sure they are away, but it is just work on the training paddock they are putting in, which would be less than normal.
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@taniwharugby said in Chiefs 2025:
@Nepia well thats the point, most of these guys wanna play, and given the lack of play for most of the fringe players, more so they are usually pulled form NPC as well, they are playing alot less...sure they are away, but it is just work on the training paddock they are putting in, which would be less than normal.
Bro, it's their career, they take their breaks and use AL like the rest of us. Being on tour, training daily etc is still work.
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@WoodysRFC think you are missing my point....there are plenty in the past years who have been on EOYT, in the TRC squad, but played fuck all, I bet most just want to get out there, but as soon as they are ABs, everything changes in terms of rest weeks for pre-season and also in super rugby, in some cases, after a few minutes in Black.
I have no issues with them taking leave, similarly Proctor and his partner having a kid last year, they need their lives outside rugby given the small window.
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@taniwharugby they're allowed back whenever they want for pre-season training. But legally they can't be forced to report for duty. It's not that they were the All Blacks, it's that their season went longer than players who weren't touring so they were given less holiday. Just normal employment law.
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Star fullback Shaun Stevenson is on his way to Japan, but will still pull on the Chiefs jersey in 2025.
The Waikato Times can reveal that New Zealand Rugby have opted to grant the one-test All Black a unique short-term sabbatical, one which will see him suit up for the Kubota Spears as early as this weekend, but also see him return early in the Super Rugby Pacific season.
He is then set to link with Kubota full-time next season, remaining eligible for the All Blacks through this year.
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Stevenson's 2024 was impacted by injuries (hamstring etc) which then affected his form. He's definitely a confidence player. As long as he hasn't mentally checked out when he returns from Japan.
It will be interesting to see which way McMillan goes with selection in those early games. Carter is usually on the right wing, so that would mean Narawa to swap sides. I could also see Rona used as the left winger.
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@gt12 said in Chiefs 2025:
I think this is a bit strange by NZR.
I like having Stevenson for one more year but I'm not sure why they wouldn't just give him a release.
yes.
Great for SS, good on him for negotiating.
But look at this from NZR's persepective.
NZR: Gee, the broadcast deal is looking a bit shakey, we need to push the value of the product to increase the price.
Also NZR: We should continue to make decisions that erode the perceived value of half of the product.
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@gt12 said in Chiefs 2025:
I think this is a bit strange by NZR.
I like having Stevenson for one more year but I'm not sure why they wouldn't just give him a release.
As it says in the article, NZR will be reluctant to set a precedent for other players in the future. This seems like a compromise for both parties.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2025:
@gt12 said in Chiefs 2025:
I think this is a bit strange by NZR.
I like having Stevenson for one more year but I'm not sure why they wouldn't just give him a release.
As it says in the article, NZR will be reluctant to set a precedent for other players in the future. This seems like a compromise for both parties.
Then say no.
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@Windows97 said in Chiefs 2025:
Give himself one more crack at making the AB's in 2025??
I really rate SS but the fact that Fihaki was brought in ahead of him last year means that he'll need to have a stellar 2025 to move up the pecking order. With Love out for half of Super Rugby there's certainly opportunity for him to get back into the AB environment. I wish him well.
The Waikato Times
