Exodus 2016

Unco

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="550141" data-time="1451535472">
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Why? They pay the bulk of the salaries, having an even comp is better for the long term viability of NZ rugby so they are entitled to have a say as to who goes where if it is in the best interests of NZ Rugby, or would we better if the franchises made all the decisions, like the clubs in the NH?
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No but I think there's a balance. If the NZRU dictated everything, the only difference between the five teams would be where they're based and at that point, who gives a shit who wins?

taniwharugby

Well, TBH I dont really care who wins when it comes to S1? just that NZ teams beat other countries and they dont ruin the other Kiwi teams chances if they are shite...
 
But yeah, there needs to be a balance for sure, for the most part I dont think they are far off.

mimic

I remember a time when Canterbury had like 4/5 top first fives, and pretty much kept them all.. Playing them at 12, fullback and wing..

Winger

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="550078" data-time="1451525613">
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So your love affair with HB inside backs is over? Sweet.
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He's a competent NPC player that's all. Or maybe backup s18 level.
 
But if the Blues want to be title contenders again

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mimic" data-cid="550170" data-time="1451547395">
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I remember a time when Canterbury had like 4/5 top first fives, and pretty much kept them all.. Playing them at 12, fullback and wing.. 
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well they have to want to leave too, at the time, it was easier into the ABs as a back-up Crusader than starting anywhere else!

booboo

Back in the day the franchise would pick their players from their region, protect a given number, and then a NZRU appointed commissioner (Peter Thorburn) would distribute the rest of the talent. I preferred that system.

sparky

Saracens have signed Schalk Burger for 2016/7 and 2017/8: 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.saracens.com/news-article/saracens-sign-springbok-legend-schalk-burger'>http://www.saracens.com/news-article/saracens-sign-springbok-legend-schalk-burger</a>

NZRUGBYQUIZZES

I imagine a South African exodus thread would run to many more pages. When I first went to Japan in 2000, I don't think there were any South Africans playing in the top-league at all.
 
Now there are possibly more of them than there are NZers.

gt12

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NZ Rugby Quizzes" data-cid="550599" data-time="1451937306">I imagine a South African exodus thread would run to many more pages. When I first went to Japan in 2000, I don't think there were any South Africans playing in the top-league at all. 
Now there are possibly more of them than there are NZers.</blockquote>
 
Yeah, it's mad over here now. Lots of older and younger talent that would drive the depth of the 6 Soup teams...

Bovidae

The USA Eagles have a new coach - John Mitchell.
 
Let the journey begin...

matthew_matichhotmail.com

nz coaches must have 9 of the top 20 teams? more?

Unco

Yeah, 9:
NZ
Wales
Ireland
Scotland
Georgia
Samoa
Fiji
Canada
USA
 
It'll be 10 if Jamie Joseph ends up coaching Japan. The papers were talking about it as if he'd already signed just a month ago but apparently they're still negotiating.

? Offline

James Marshall to London Irish after this year's Super campaign.

taniwharugby

Keiran Crowley has apparently just resigned as coach of Canada to take up a job with a European team, this apparently only a couple years after signing an extension to his Canadian contract.

Crucial

D McK is on a Hillary scholarship at Waikato Uni alongside his Chiefs contract. He has committed himself there for a while

Cantab79

I'm actually very positive about the Crusaders prospects for this year. We have a great mix of youth and experience, which I think is extremely important at SR level. Moreover, all of established ABs will have had a better preparation than they've had in years. At no.10, Mo'unga has had as good an apprenticeship as anyone could expect from a young first five, and will be good at this level. Whilst Dan and Richie will be missed, lets be brutally honest neither have really excelled at S15 level for a number of years. I like the fact that we'll have a hungry squad with a point to prove. I'm very disappointed about the losses of Laulala, Bird and Luke Whitelock, I believe all three players are developing into fine rugby players. But Crusaders fans are used to having our talented academy graduates plundered by other franchises, that's what happens when you invest heavily in youth development programs.

dogmeat

Remind me again - who's ur coach?

mooshld

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="551267" data-time="1452145625">
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 I'm very disappointed about the losses of Laulala, Bird and Luke Whitelock, I believe all three players are developing into fine rugby players. But Crusaders fans are used to having our talented academy graduates plundered by other franchises, that's what happens when you invest heavily in youth development programs.
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This has to be a piss take right?
 
You must be the only Cantab whose dissapointed to lose Luke Whitelock, lets be honest his brother George makes him look dynamic.
 
I am excited as well I want Dagg to go out and throw down this year and earn his ABs spot back. I hope he gets the chance.

hydro11

Luke Whitelock was a lot better last year than the year before. Not so sure that Bird made many leaps forward.

Unco

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="551267" data-time="1452145625">
<div>
I'm actually very positive about the Crusaders prospects for this year. We have a great mix of youth and experience, which I think is extremely important at SR level. Moreover, all of established ABs will have had a better preparation than they've had in years. At no.10, Mo'unga has had as good an apprenticeship as anyone could expect from a young first five, and will be good at this level. Whilst Dan and Richie will be missed, lets be brutally honest neither have really excelled at S15 level for a number of years. I like the fact that we'll have a hungry squad with a point to prove. I'm very disappointed about the losses of Laulala, Bird and Luke Whitelock, I believe all three players are developing into fine rugby players. But Crusaders fans are used to having our talented academy graduates plundered by other franchises, that's what happens when you invest heavily in youth development programs.
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 And other franchises fans are used to having their talented age grade players plundered by your bloody academy. So boo-fuckin-hoo.

The Silver Fern

Exodus 2016