Exodus 2017
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NZ Herald repeats the Fekitoa/Toulon rumour today:
Malakai Fekitoa is almost certainly out of the picture after apparently signing with Toulon in France, but Laumape proved he has a big future with his performance in his first test start, and then there is Sonny Bill Williams, Ryan Crotty and Anton Lienert-Brown to consider.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11888417
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The All Blacks midfielder, not selected in the squad for the recent Lions series but called in for the third test by coach Steve Hansen after the hamstring injury to Ryan Crotty and Sonny Bill Williams' four-match suspension, has signed a contract with Toulon and will leave after he sees out the season with the Highlanders.
The 25-year-old's decision was made on the basis that he wasn't included in Hansen's original squad, but after being recalled, and playing 14 minutes off the reserves bench at Eden Park, the Herald understands he may now be regretting his decision.
Whether he will want to, or is able to, follow the example of his Highlanders and All Blacks teammate Waisake Naholo and backtrack on his decision remains to be seen. Naholo signed with Clermont, another French club, in 2015 before changing his mind and making Hansen's World Cup squad.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11888627
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@Bones said in Exodus 2017:
I'm not as down on Fekitoa as most, but if that is true, fuck his regrets.
+1. We see what transpires but if it was toys out of cot then later regret...
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@Billy-Tell I'm sure he won't mind counting out his regrets in euros.
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NZ Herald got it wrong again.
All Black Malakai Fekitoa will probably leave New Zealand this year, and probably for Toulon, but his agent says the midfielder hasn't signed a contract yet and could in fact stay.
The Herald reported yesterday that Fekitoa, 25, had agreed to move to the French club but was having second thoughts, but his agent Craig Innes has insisted the Highlanders player hadn't signed anything.
"He hasn't actually signed a contract and he hasn't agreed to anything," Innes said.
"Nothing has been sent back to Toulon. I'm not denying that there have been talks [with other clubs] but he is going through a process."
Asked whether it was a possible that Fekitoa could sign a new contract with New Zealand Rugby, Innes said: "At this stage anything is a possibility.
Innes added that should Fekitoa leave, he would do so after playing for Auckland in the national provincial championship.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11888906
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@Tim who knows who to believe...I know a few years ago when it was being reported Ranger was leaving (after he had a superb season) he and his manager both claimed he hadn't signed, but he had.
Maybe Malakai is waiting until TRC squad is named before the 'official' official announcement
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@Stargazer I quite like the look of Sanders and he's still pretty young, so should be getting better.
But, I don't see where the Crusaders would fit him in - we've already got Read, Taufua, Todd, Samu, Brown, Bedwell-Curtis, and Dunshea on the books as loose-forwards.
We'd have to cut one of the last two and I'm not sure Sanders is necessarily any better. HBC has gone alright and Dunshea looked good for the Barbarians.
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@Nepia said in Exodus 2017:
@Frye said in Exodus 2017:
I just hope he's not leaving NZ. Can't afford to lose that second tier.
I've actually erroneously thought that Sanders was English the entire time he's been with the Chiefs. Unsure where I got that idea.
Probably mixed him up with Cantabrian Symon/Symons, who was English and a lock.
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@Rapido said in Exodus 2017:
@Nepia said in Exodus 2017:
@Frye said in Exodus 2017:
I just hope he's not leaving NZ. Can't afford to lose that second tier.
I've actually erroneously thought that Sanders was English the entire time he's been with the Chiefs. Unsure where I got that idea.
Probably mixed him up with Cantabrian Symon/Symons, who was English and a lock.
Ah right! That's it. Thanks.