Chiefs 2025
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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.
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It has been officially announced by Kubota Spears on their Instagram and Website that SS is joining them immediately. Announcement of Sean Stevenson's joining the team
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@Number-10 Not a bad outcome, pretty much had him written off.
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@SBW1 said in Chiefs 2025:
@Number-10 Not a bad outcome, pretty much had him written off.
Agree, I like it. I guessing he's just been released from NZR contract, but stays with Chiefs one. I think it a good result as Chiefs will have a happy player this season, if they just forced him to stay, he would of been a waste of money.
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There is another article today about the Stevenson situation. It's behind a paywall but "personal circumstances" was a key consideration behind NZR's decision. Chris Lendrum wouldn't go into details publicly. Kubota wanted Stevenson for the full season as they have an injury crisis at fullback.
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs 2025:
There is another article today about the Stevenson situation. It's behind a paywall but "personal circumstances" was a key consideration behind NZR's decision. Chris Lendrum wouldn't go into details publicly. Kubota wanted Stevenson for the full season as they have an injury crisis at fullback.
This is more a general rant about how players and their managers use the get out of gaol free card "personal circumstances" to break contracts at will. I'd like to see them held to their word.
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@antipodean mental health is always a good way to get what you want (this is not to diminish those with genuine mental health issues, just is an easy out for too many these days)
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@antipodean said in Chiefs 2025:
This is more a general rant about how players and their managers use the get out of gaol free card "personal circumstances" to break contracts at will. I'd like to see them held to their word.
I doubt NZR contracts have a release clause which is the norm in many other sports, so rugby contracts are heavily in favour of the employer.
The Waikato Times
