Exodus 2016
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="546604" data-time="1449599845">
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<p>Turns 29 this March, if he reups with the NZRU he is probably looking at a very different European contract in a couple of years than he is now. I just don't see the NZRU offering him even close to the same amount this time.</p>
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<p>I'm honestly shocked given his contract, position in the side, age and talent he was one of the first highlighted for the Sevens campaign this year. Seems absolutely ideal.</p>
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<p>Vito has never been a regular starting AB and I don't see that changing. He's better to cash up now. I thought he would have been a good choice as the Canes captain so perhaps Boyd already knows his decision and wants some continuity.</p>
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<p>As to the sevens, Vito turned Tietjens down - a shame. He could have done what Messam has done, i.e., a 2 yr contract in Japan with a provision to return for the sevens campaign.</p> -
<p>Well I see the Herald (G.Paul) are saying Vito, Dagg & Jane are the ones looking overseas. IMO</p>
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<p>1) Jane finished as an AB - 32, not getting any younger or faster, don't think he'll wear black again</p>
<p>2) Dagg. IMO potentially stull has something to offer. An entirely injury free 2016 to reassess. Would hope he would stick around until 2017. Only 27.</p>
<p>3) Vito, like everyone else he strikes me as a permanent fringe player. Not better than Read so won't take 8 (especially as Read likely to captain), and not physical enough to replace Kaino at 6. Plus exciting options coming thru. Useful to have in NZ, but not crippling if he leaves.</p>
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<p>NB: I think Jane & Dagg are singed thru 2017, so they would need NZRFU dispensation. I reckon Jane would get it, but not sure about Dagg.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="546796" data-time="1449684818">
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<p>2) Dagg. IMO potentially stull has something to offer. An entirely injury free 2016 to reassess. Would hope he would stick around until 2017. <strong> Only 27.</strong></p>
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<p>By All Blacks standards he is pretty much done, it's a young mans game. If you are a member of the back-three and rely on pace, power, speed or step and you manage more than 6 years as a first choice AB or make it past age 28 in the pro era you are doing bloody well.</p>
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<p>Almost every star not matter how bright had the wheels fall off right around that 28 year mark. Mils is the only notable example, but he fell off a couple of years later - maybe we just don't count the years spent at centre under rotation.</p>
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<p>More "safe" wing options like Jane and Ben Smith who relied more on the high ball, support play and defense seem to be able to string it out a little longer, but they usually start a bit older too.</p>
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<p>I'd almost bet my house given the trent that Savea doesn't make the next RWC squad at 29 - and you'd probably get good odds on it too at the moment.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="546152" data-time="1449236880">
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<p>Brock James was pretty bloody handy when he played NPC - the Hurricanes wanted to pick him up and he would've been a good signing, but they were blocked by NZRU I believe. Are you thinking of the right player? He definitely wasn't slow and had good attacking abilities (had previously played 7's for Oz, not a game for those that are so slow with no athletic ability).</p>
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<p>Agree don't know where Tim is getting that opinion from Brock James looked bloody good in the NPC and the Hurricanes their was genuine optimism that the canes might have a decent 10 that season until the NZRU blocked him worried they would be doing the Wallabies a favour.</p> -
Jamie Mackintosh has joined French club Montpellier as injury cover.<br><br>
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/75023333/Southland-prop-Jamie-Mackintosh-joins-French-club-Montpellier'>http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/75023333/Southland-prop-Jamie-Mackintosh-joins-French-club-Montpellier</a> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="547312" data-time="1449890655">
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<p>Jamie Mackintosh has joined French club Montpellier as injury cover.<br><br><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/75023333/Southland-prop-Jamie-Mackintosh-joins-French-club-Montpellier'>http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/75023333/Southland-prop-Jamie-Mackintosh-joins-French-club-Montpellier</a></p>
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<p>Apparently, he already played for Montpellier last night in their European Challenge Cup game v Cardiff Blues, which Cardiff won 37 - 27. Jarrad Hoeata posted this photo on Twitter after the game:</p>
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<p><img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CV-1s02W4AQXrNY.jpg" alt="CV-1s02W4AQXrNY.jpg"></p>
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<p>Edited to add that Mackintosh scored a try in this game!</p> -
<p>Strange to see W G Grace still out on the field but not cricket.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nostrildamus" data-cid="547403" data-time="1449977342">
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<p>Strange to see W G Grace still out on the field but not cricket.</p>
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<p>Brian Blessed. :)</p>
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<p>So Hoeata is still wearing a Naki jersey. Strange for Cardiff to have those colours as an alternative strip.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="547412" data-time="1449984342">
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<p>Brian Blessed. :)</p>
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<p>Now you mention it he does have a similar chest pout..</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="546809" data-time="1449691992">
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<p>By All Blacks standards he is pretty much done, it's a young mans game. If you are a member of the back-three and rely on pace, power, speed or step and you manage more than 6 years as a first choice AB or make it past age 28 in the pro era you are doing bloody well.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Almost every star not matter how bright had the wheels fall off right around that 28 year mark. Mils is the only notable example, but he fell off a couple of years later - maybe we just don't count the years spent at centre under rotation.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>More "safe" wing options like Jane and Ben Smith who relied more on the high ball, support play and defense seem to be able to string it out a little longer, but they usually start a bit older too.</p>
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<p>I'd almost bet my house given the trent that Savea doesn't make the next RWC squad at 29 - and you'd probably get good odds on it too at the moment.</p>
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<p>Given Dagg was prominant for most of his career for his positional play, distribution, work under the high ball & his boot I think the pace issue is less of a problem. Actually think with Nonu gone a second diostributor becomes more of an issue for the AB's next year. Games we played this year without Nonu our distribution was a bit limited, and while Fekitoa has a lot of skills, good distribtion isn't one of them.</p>
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<p>I don't expect Dagg to be named up front, but I think he'll be in the mix. Still wouldn't put it past them to look again at Ben Smith (29) at centre </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="548915" data-time="1450772023">
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<p>Toulon and Toulouse are offering big, big money to sign Beauden Barrett when his contract ends in 2016.</p>
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<p>Fark that shits me.</p>
<p>Why don't the farkin French clubs go find their own talent??</p>
<p>Honest to god, I watched Toulon's return fixture against Leinster, apart from playing as if they didn't know each other, (and pretty pedestrian at that) think I counted 3 Frenchmen in the run-on side.</p>
<p>Same for Racing, same for SF, and Oyonnax and most other top 14 French teams. I honestly hope this doesn't spill over to Super rugby, else we'll all be in the shite.</p> -
<p>Vito definitely going offshore my sources tell me although they didn't mention which club he was going to.</p>
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<p>Makes sense, I think he would have been Hurricanes captain over Coles if he had committed to stay in town.</p>
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<p>Not convinced Jane will go offshore based on local UH intelligence.</p> -
Daniel Bowden going back to Bath: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35187141'>http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35187141</a>
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NZ needs to divvy up its halves better IMO. Blues & Crusaders have mediocre 10s, meanwhile canes have Barrett & black, Chiefs have cruden & McKenzie not to mention their 3 decent 9s.
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Nah it isn't the NZRU's job to future profs franchises. It's the local organisations job to make sure they have good plans, if that fails then it's their fault.
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<p>@SouthernMan</p>
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<p>I'm probably just depressed when I see the Crusaders' halves for 2016: Drummond, Ellis, McKenzie (the less talented one), Mo'unga (who?), Volavola</p>
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<p>...as gentle and uninspiring as Blackadder at interview time.</p>
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<p>I sense a long season of mediocrity. Probably end up supporting the Canes in their bid to break their duck - might come down to whether they can beat World Rugby's 5th ranked team in the final...</p>
