Exodus 2016
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<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>
<p> </p>
<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> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="550020" data-time="1451512887">
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<p>Mitchell Hunt looks good for the future though.</p>
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<p>I hope so. Living outside NZ, I don't really follow rugby too much below SXV level, and according to Wikipedia Super Rugby transfers, he is listed as a fullback. But I see on his Wiki profile he is also listed as a 10.</p>
