Exodus
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@stargazer said in Exodus 2019:
The most hated thread. Time for the 2019 version, because some rumours are becoming stronger and stronger, and the French (sports) media are full of them at the moment (RMC, Midol, Sud Ouest etc).
First, Ben Smith. The rumour is that he will join Pau after the RWC on a 7-month contract. This is not a new rumour. It's possible he'll go to a Japanese club after this short-term stint with Pau. (text in italics added)
Second, Ardie Savea. The rumour is that he will join Pau as well after the RWC on a 3-year contract. According to the French media, NZR is trying hard to keep him in NZ, but they claim there are only some details to finalise, before they'll ink the deal. That's supposed to happen when he's in England with the ABs.
Other All Blacks. This comes from the Midol, and these negotiations are said to be less advanced.
Nehe Milner-Skudder maybe to Toulon.
Ryan Crotty, supposedly getting offers from both French and other overseas clubs.
Kieran Read, possibly to join Racing 92, but these negotiations are difficult, especially from a financial viewpoint. They say there is interest from mulitple clubs in Europe and Japan.All in the rumour stage. French media have been wrong before.
Given age, form etc, it would really only be disappointing to lose Savea. Kieran Read is no spring chicken. However, NZ generally churn out good 7s, I'd be confident new guys would come along.
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Of the OP I can only see a real push to get Savea to stay, because of age. BFA, Read, Crotty will be of the age to go by post RWC, and NMS is only a SR depth loss now. I'd rather have them all but the reality is we going to lose another ton o caps. Now the worrying thing is if both Sam and BBBR decide to go...
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I would have thought all of those except maybe Savea were a given.
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@mariner4life said in Exodus 2019:
I would have thought all of those except maybe Savea were a given.
Yeah - Savea is the only one that I'd be slightly surprised and annoyed about.
A couple of months ago I posted a radio interview by Razor where he (probably inadvertently) said Kieran Read has only 18 months left in NZ rugby.
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@chris-b said in Exodus 2019:
@mariner4life said in Exodus 2019:
I would have thought all of those except maybe Savea were a given.
Yeah - Savea is the only one that I'd be slightly surprised and annoyed about.
A couple of months ago I posted a radio interview by Razor where he (probably inadvertently) said Kieran Read has only 18 months left in NZ rugby.
He's done his work, go get paid. What a gem he has been. Let's just hope he has 12 golden months left in that body.
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@gt12 said in Exodus 2019:
The problem we may face for keeping Savea is that Sam Cane is only 26 years old. I can't fucking believe that. And, he's signed until 2021. And, could be made captain.
The way the game changes so regularly it could be a bonus. The Todd/Savea show at Bled3 was an inkling to future thinking. Half an hour to go bring Ardie on with Cane moving to 6 (or vice-versa). Ardie also capable of being injury cover for 8.
Blindsides tend to be less effective as energies drop from both sides late in the game whereas if you re-assigned your starting 7 to playing closer and brought on a fresh ranger/chaser it makes sense. -
@chris-b said in Exodus 2019:
@mariner4life said in Exodus 2019:
I would have thought all of those except maybe Savea were a given.
Yeah - Savea is the only one that I'd be slightly surprised and annoyed about.
A couple of months ago I posted a radio interview by Razor where he (probably inadvertently) said Kieran Read has only 18 months left in NZ rugby.
And the number 53 player in the country will be ready to walk into his job.
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@gt12 said in Exodus 2019:
I agree with that. but will Savea stay if he doesn't start? With Papali'i coming?
I doubt he'll be off to France given the feedback Julian must be giving him. Jules and family do not appear to like it there. He seems to be struggling even more in getting his game on track when dealing with the T14 style/level of play
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Snake is on the coaching team at Pau which will be a pull factor for guys who played with him. It's a much more friendly and human set up than Toulon's.
If not Ardie, then I suspect another ex-All Blacks loose forward will end up on Pau's roster.
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@sparky said in Exodus 2019:
Snake is on the coaching team at Pau which will be a pull factor for guys who played with him. It's a much more friendly and human set up than Toulon.
If not Ardie, then I suspect another ex-All Blacks loose forward will end up on Pau's roster.
I spend a lot of time near Pau. I can tell you its a lot more relaxed here then Toulon the players are under nowhere near as much pressure and the team is not run by a megalomaniac.
Plus the people here are much less rugby obsessed. Could see how it would be tempting.
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Not sure what they are saying, not a very coherent article, but Sam signing for Toulon - it is not clear if this is for a sabbatical or full time - hopefully the first!
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More from the rumour mill: Sam Whitelock
All Blacks Sam Whitelock and Nehe Milner-Skudder appear set to play for Toulon after next year's Rugby World Cup in Japan. Whitelock has been linked to the French club since February 2017, and speculation both he and Milner-Skudder are on the verge of signing has ramped up.Whitelock, who has played 107 tests for the All Blacks, is contracted to New Zealand Rugby through 2020, and is understood to be in talks with NZR regarding a new four-year contract. Any new deal would certainly include a sabbatical clause, and the 30-year-old hasn't hid the fact his future might include a stint in Japan, an option more New Zealanders are considering over Europe. The lock will again captain the Crusaders in next year's Super Rugby campaign, although there is a chance he will take an extended break after the northern-tour. It could see him miss the first month of the competition, although coach Scott Robertson said "nothing is definite" until he has spoken to All Blacks coach Steve Hansen later this year. Whitelock has got through a power of work this year, leading the Crusaders to a second Super title on the bounce, and shouldering an increased load for the national side with Brodie Retallick hindered by injury. Word he and Milner-Skudder are off to Toulon follows news fullback Ben Smith has reportedly agreed to join French club Pau on a short-term deal after next year's World Cup. French rugby newspaper Midi Olympique reported the deal was as good as done last week, and said the Highlanders co-captain would then head to Japan.
