Exodus 2017
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He has been in excellent form for the 3 games of the season so far. To the point where I would consider pairing him with TJP and leaving Smith out.
I'm not surprised, unfortunately. He will earn a packet more than being "break glass in case of emergency" AB 3rd choice 9.
I wish he'd just say that though, rather than the usual crap about wanting to experience France etc.
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With his history of injuries, having won a RWC, and never been able to nail the first or second All Blacks spot, this is probably the best for him. Wishing him well in France! He's joining a lot of other Kiwis at La Rochelle, which is a club on the rise.
Nothing to worry about for the Chiefs either, with Brad Weber already in the squad (assuming he's staying, because he's also coming off contract).
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@taniwharugby said in Exodus 2017:
last man at the Chiefs turn the lights out...
Cruden, TKB, Lowe, Rennie...SBW from last year, Ngatai on long term injury, anyone else?
Pulu
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TJP has got some serious bargaining chips - NZ will not want to lose him.
There are a lot of fringe players who might be at risk: Shields, Bird etc spring to mind.
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@Crucial said in Exodus 2017:
@taniwharugby said in Exodus 2017:
last man at the Chiefs turn the lights out...
Cruden, TKB, Lowe, Rennie...SBW from last year, Ngatai on long term injury, anyone else?
Pulu
Tamanivalu
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@SammyC said in Exodus 2017:
@Crucial said in Exodus 2017:
@taniwharugby said in Exodus 2017:
last man at the Chiefs turn the lights out...
Cruden, TKB, Lowe, Rennie...SBW from last year, Ngatai on long term injury, anyone else?
Pulu
Tamanivalu
This exodus speaks volumes about the very poor culture at the Chiefs. Perhaps they'd be better off getting a coach who could fix the culture and in a few years they could win a championship?
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@antipodean subtle. But that would be "another championship"
How are the Waratards looking?
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@antipodean or maybe none of them like Colin Cooper
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@mariner4life said in Exodus 2017:
@antipodean subtle. But that would be "another championship"
How are the Waratards looking?
dogshit.
But apparently they have been exceptional on the training field.
http://www.theroar.com.au/2017/03/14/hoopers-training-gaffe-shows-tahs-heads/
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@mariner4life said in Exodus 2017:
@antipodean subtle. But that would be "another championship"
How are the Waratards looking?
On track for another championship. We haven't had the luxury of some easy derbies like you. We've been touring the Republic.
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@antipodean ah yes, the 90s, when that meant something...
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TKB leaving is a huge loss for the Chiefs but he's got a young family to support so good luck to him. I don't think he is that injury-prone either it's just that his one major long-term injury was pretty fuckin' horrific. He did bloody well to recover in time to make the RWC squad and become the bench HB.
So next year the Chiefs will (likely) have the smallest 9-10 combo in Super rugby.
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@Tim said in Exodus 2017:
Interesting that TKB has not received the same treatment as Luatua after his announcement.
What treatment from who?
Maybe the argument has already been had and there's no need to re-hash it.
Like Luatua he is a bench player at best for the ABs. Pulu or Weber can take up that mantle.
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@Crucial I have to disagree with you putting Luatua and TKB in the same boat. No quibble that they are clearly behind the incumbents, but in TKB's case Nugget will (we hope) be around for years. Read on the other hand will probably retire post RWC and at this stage Luatua has the best skill set to replace him. May not be a coincidence that he is suggesting he will return post Bristol. Aviva rugby lacks athleticism but will force Luatua to be more physical.
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@pakman I think the likes of Akira Ioane and Whetu Douglas have a better chance of playing 8 for the ABs after Read retires than Luatua after his stint with Bristol. Luatua is not exactly going to play for a top club and is more likely to get worse than better.