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gt12

@antipodean

I watched that game, Smith was awesome - apart from that hit - or because of it

He's only 36. Couldn't believe that.

Daniel Heenan was a beast in this game too btw. Great player for the way rugby gets played over here.

ACT Crusader

@gt12 Giteau moving to Japan I hear

gt12

@ACT-Crusader

Who with? That Panasonic team is actually better than the Suntory team IMO, even though they lost. They're a lot better than the Sunwolves too.... I'd reckon.

Crucial

@antipodean said in Super Rugby News:

Kinda related. George Smith showing the upstart who the king of Australian flankers is.

That is awesome. Before I hit play I was wondering wtf Pocock was doing standing on that side of the ruck. I guess Smith was thinking the same.

Stargazer

@gt12 said in Super Rugby News:

@ACT-Crusader

Who with? That Panasonic team is actually better than the Suntory team IMO, even though they lost. They're a lot better than the Sunwolves too.... I'd reckon.

From Kyodo News:

TOKYO, Jan. 30, Kyodo

Wallabies centurion Matt Giteau said on Monday he is leaving Toulon at the end of the French Top 14 season to play in Japan.

While Giteau has not named a team, multiple sources have told Kyodo News the versatile 34-year-old back will sign with Suntory Sungoliath, who completed the Japanese league and cup double after beating Panasonic Wild Knights in Sunday's All-Japan Championship final.

"I want to announce that at the end of this season, I will leave to play in Japan," Giteau said on his Instagram account. "Making this decision was the toughest of my rugby career but it is the best for my family to be closer to Australia."

"I want to say a big thank you to the players, (who I have made lifelong friendships with), coaches, the president and staff behind the scenes since 2011. I owe a lot to you."

"I also want to say a big thank you to the Toulon fans who will remain in my heart for life. The time I spent in Toulon was the best period of my rugby career."

Neither Suntory nor Toulon have yet to comment. Giteau has 102 caps for Australia, according to the Australian Rugby Union, and would join his standout compatriots George Smith and David Pocock in the Top League.

gt12

@Stargazer

Cheers. Not surprising to see him go there. Should make them a better team.

mooshld

@gt12 said in Super Rugby News:

@Stargazer

Cheers. Not surprising to see him go there. Should make them a better team.

A little surprising from the french perspective. He loves it down in Toulon, always seemed really settled.

Frye

@mooshld said in Super Rugby News:

@gt12 said in Super Rugby News:

@Stargazer

Cheers. Not surprising to see him go there. Should make them a better team.

A little surprising from the french perspective. He loves it down in Toulon, always seemed really settled.

He doesn't have many years left in him.

Not playing Heineken Cup would certainly extend his career.

Has he retired from tests?

Billy Tell

PT had a chance to promote his claims in Chicago, which he flunked somewhat. Especially given Barrett made a more than decent cameo off the bench.

He would be pushing for an impact bench spot, wouldn't see him starting in the near future.

All academic anyway if he's not going to play Super Rugby.

nzzp

@Crucial said in Super Rugby News:

@antipodean said in Super Rugby News:

Kinda related. George Smith showing the upstart who the king of Australian flankers is.

That is awesome. Before I hit play I was wondering wtf Pocock was doing standing on that side of the ruck. I guess Smith was thinking the same.

I loved that he smashed Pocock and hardly broke stride going after the ball. What a sensational player, absolutely top class. Just a pity he didn't get to Play enough at the top level

Stargazer

Now this is shit news:

Charlie Ngatai could miss entire Super Rugby season

While it was far from a certainty that he would get a spot in the ABs team for the Lions tour if he had played Super Rugby this season, he can forget about it now completely.

taniwharugby

never good to hear about a head knock keeping a player out for that long!

gt12

Fuck. That's going to mean TNW at center I guess.

We might regret not trying to keep a hold of Seta.

Edit: And, feel horrible for him for CN, but it's better that he7s stays away and gets healthy.

Tim

Woeful midfield depth is major reason why the Chiefs will miss the playoffs this year.

Bovidae

The Chiefs managed to win in 2012 and 2013 with injuries to first-choice midfielders. Obviously it's not ideal if Ngatai is out but there are options, albeit less experienced options.

Still at least we have depth at 1st 5.

Tim

No problem with Championship Winning 1st 5 Bryn Gatland waiting in the wings.

Now if Cruden gets injured ...

Add to that the usual absences from Retallick and Cane, and injuries to Bird and several frontrow players, and you've got a disaster in the making.

mariner4life

@Tim so, last year then

If you're out for a year with a head knock, then perhaps giving it away is the best option.

mariner4life

actually, for those paying attention, what does our first choice XXIII look like now?

Bovidae

@Tim It's Beaver time!!

Bovidae

@mariner4life

My guess would be:

Hames
Harris/Elliot
Laulala
Retallick
Bird
Messam
Cane
Leitch
TKB
Cruden
Lowe
Ngatai (or Fa'auli/Donald)
ALB
TNW/Pulu
DMac
Harris/Elliot
Graham
Moli
Seu
Sanders/Boshier
Weber
Fa'auli/Donald
McNicol/Stevenson

The Silver Fern

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