Exodus 2018
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@chris-b said in Exodus 2018:
@crucial There's some truth to that, as well.
But on the other hand, Tana's Blues beat the Lions last year, but there's a pretty long trail back to the last NH club to beat the ABs.
I was really just trying to avoid derailing the discussion with a SH v NH argument. Considering that the NH international teams can actually be competitive I think it is safer to stick with the route of different styles.
So much of the top level these days hinges on moments of brilliant interaction and quick thinking, I really do think that you stifle fast decision making when players, despite their individual skill, can't play instinctively with those around them.
If all Eddie wants is a spare part 6 to make tackles in close then fine, I'm happy with that. -
After Tom Franklin and Richard Buckman, there are a few more NZ players going to Japan.
Elliot Dixon and Tim Bateman have signed with Ricoh Black Rams for the 2018/19 Top League Season. Also signed is Waikato and Māori All Blacks lock Jacob Skeen. Not sure whether Dixon and Bateman will return to Super Rugby in 2019. Both are off contract at the end of the 2018 SR season.
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I think most already know this: a retirement, not an exodus. Shane Christie.
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I think someone asked about him a while ago, where he was playing:
In April, NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes announced the signing of Keepa Mewett (BOP/2018 Māori ABs).
The Red Hurricanes were relegated from the Japanese Top League at the end of last season and will play the 2018-19 season in the second-tier Top Challenge League.
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@arhs Yep, you're not wrong there. Last year's Māori AB squad was the weakest in years, with some odd selections, and now they're losing quite a few players, making this year's selection extra "interesting". That's assuming there will be a tour, or a game or two in NZ.
From November's squad, at least Tom Franklin, Jarrad Hoeata (if he stays in France), Keepa Mewett, Akira Ioane (assuming he'll be in the ABs squad), Ihaia West, Tim Bateman, Charlie Ngatai, Ambrose Curtis and possibly Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (if he gets a spot in the ABs squad) will no longer be available.
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@stargazer said in Exodus 2018:
After Tom Franklin and Richard Buckman, there are a few more NZ players going to Japan.
Elliot Dixon and Tim Bateman have signed with Ricoh Black Rams for the 2018/19 Top League Season. Also signed is Waikato and Māori All Blacks lock Jacob Skeen. Not sure whether Dixon and Bateman will return to Super Rugby in 2019. Both are off contract at the end of the 2018 SR season.
Update: Elliott Dixon will return for the 2019 and 2020 SR season.