Exodus 2017
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moderate loss to the ABs, big loss to NZ Rugby
Guy has shown what can come from a change of attitude and hard work, and this is the kind of guy we want around our younger MItre 10 Cup & Super players.
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@taniwharugby said in Exodus 2017:
moderate loss to the ABs, big loss to NZ Rugby
Guy has shown what can come from a change of attitude and hard work, and this is the kind of guy we want around our younger MItre 10 Cup & Super players.
Yes and no.
Unlike Israel Dagg, who improved his game and got back in the ABs, Fekitoa has moved off-shore at the first hurdle.
I do admire the way he got to where he is in the first place though, via scholarship, move to Highlanders etc.
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@Billy-Tell losing players of his calibre is a big loss to Super rugby and MItre 10, and therefore NZ Rugby.
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@Billy-Tell said in Exodus 2017:
I think he will regret this move. In NZ we try and improve players. In Toulon they pay big money and they want a return on that investment. I don't think they signed Fekitua to progressively improve his game.
No major loss to the ABs there are better options with more long term potential.
Your first and last comments there are a bit contradictory. The only way you make decent money in rugby in NZ is by first being on an AB contract, then getting regular starting match payments, then becoming a first choice player that can negotiate a decent base salary.
Fekitoa knows he is unlikely to be more than a squad player and has proved a high enough level of quality that he can command decent money overseas. He won't regret that .As for the assumption that players that stick around are doing so for the desire to fight for an AB jersey I reckon that is only a tiny part of the decision. Those players are often either aiming to establish higher credentials for an overseas move (after fulfilling a dream of a black jersey) or have a personal life that they enjoy in NZ and don't want to move overseas. eg want to bring their kids up with their grandparents in support, have made good investments in property or business that they are locking in for the long term rather than chasing short term gain.
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Fekitoa has won a RWC and a Super title so the decision was probably easier to make.
And the circumstances for PI players is often quite different as many are expected to contribute to the well-being of the extended family. He'll defintely be earning more at Toulon.
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We could call a spade a spade.
Fekitoa is primarily Tongan.
I would suggest that may have played in role in all of this in the sense that he may have had less natural affinity to NZ.
Would he have chosen NZ if Tonga was the more glamorous/lucrative option?
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@Billy-Tell said in Exodus 2017:
We could call a spade a spade.
Fekitoa is primarily Tongan.
I would suggest that may have played in role in all of this in the sense that he may have had less natural affinity to NZ.
Would he have chosen NZ if Tonga was the more glamorous/lucrative option?
Of course not and he said as much, he is on record as saying he wanted to be an AB as it paid more then Tonga.
Can't fault his honesty.
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Nothing more than a gut feeling but I suspected he was going ,
Might have it wrong , but Seemed to be playing for Nz over his native tonga as a career move rather than a loyalty thing ,
So suspected a high money offer might see him hit the road , particularly with him dropping down the pecking order this year .
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Phil Kearns could suck the life out of a Wiggles concert.
" .... grumble, grumble, I was questioning whether the lineout was straight ....."
After canes score beautiful set piece try from a perfectly straight lineout in which the pin-point long throw was an excellent piece of technical skill that should be celebrated.
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Highlanders prop Halanukonuka has signed a two-year contract with Glasgow Warriors. He'll join Glasgow after the Mitre 10 Cup ( Ta$man).
http://www.glasgowwarriors.org/news/17/07/28/highlanders-prop-halanukonuka-signs
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Rene Ranger joins french club La Rochelle on a 2-year deal
RENÉ RANGER JUSQU’EN 2019
Le Stade Rochelais a le plaisir d’annoncer le recrutement du centre/ailier René Ranger pour les deux prochaines saisons.
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@jauzy019 interesting decision, I guess one forced on him by not being able to pick up a super contract, as I didnt think he had enjoyed his time greatly in France.
Doesnt say, but assume he goes after Mitre 10 Cup, unless La Rochelle bought out his NOrthland contract or he had an out clause?
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@gt12 said in Exodus 2017:
Another cautionary tale for those who think they'll be able to come back and play at the same level (or better).
His case is a bit different. It's not like he was fit and playing good rugby in France before he came back
He had no form in the NH and his NZ form was a continuation of that decline
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@Duluth form of his life when he had signed to go north (first time)...funny how it works out that way.
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@taniwharugby said in Exodus 2017:
@Duluth form of his life when he had signed to go north (first time)...funny how it works out that way.
Yes, he was so good at the time that he'd probably have been named in the ABs if he hadn't signed with Montpellier.
He didn't make himself very popular in France either, by admitting he didn't want to be there and would rather play in NZ. He's made quite a few negative comments about French rugby on instagram during that time. I'm surprised La Rochelle wants him.
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@Stargazer money talks.
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There is talk , Shields , who carries an English passport due to his parents , which would make him eligible almost straight away ,
is being pursued by England ,
