Exodus 2016

Unco

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gollum" data-cid="553737" data-time="1453370479">
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A Smith, Sopoaga, Fekitoa & B Smith moved to 13 where he should be....
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</blockquote>
 
Sounds great, right up until the opposition get the ball and then you've got the weakest tackling first five in the country, a 12 who rushes up out of the defensive line and a 13 who can't defend at centre when he's got a 12 inside him, let alone when he doesn't.
 
Leave the 'cuda where he is.

gollum

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="553743" data-time="1453372172">
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Sounds great, right up until the opposition get the ball and then you've got the weakest tackling first five in the country, a 12 who rushes up out of the defensive line and a 13 who can't defend at centre when he's got a 12 inside him, let alone when he doesn't.
 
Leave the 'cuda where he is.
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Laurie Mains mentality applies, "sure, they'll score 30 points against us, but we'll score 50 in reply"

sparky

The Sydney City Roosters are trying to lure back Sonny Bill Williams apparently: 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/76436862/sydney-roosters-trying-to-lure-sonny-bill-williams-back--report'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/76436862/sydney-roosters-trying-to-lure-sonny-bill-williams-back--report</a>

taniwharugby

Is this really news though? I wonder if Khoder has met with the likes of Racing, Toulon or any big Euro rugby club in the past few months?
 
I'd be surprised if League teams werent chasing him (along with the odd other high profile rugby player) he has proven his worth in League, plus it'd give League a 'win' over rugby with him going back there to finish his career...

KiwiMurph

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="555638" data-time="1454296000">
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Is this really news though? I wonder if Khoder has met with the likes of Racing, Toulon or any big Euro rugby club in the past few months?
 
I'd be surprised if League teams werent chasing him (along with the odd other high profile rugby player) he has proven his worth in League, plus it'd give League a 'win' over rugby with him going back there to finish his career...
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There were reports in the last week or so that Toulon were chasing SBW for 2017 onwards.

Unco

I'm sure he's received a ton of offers recently and the NZRU will be one of them. The 2017 Lions Tour has to be a hell of an incentive to stick around.
 
Got to laugh at the idea of the Roosters signing him this year though. As if he's just going to give up on his Olympic dream to run off to a League franchise that's down with the dogs.

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="546600" data-time="1449590773">
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Do we think Vito is going to stay or go? Think his contract is up at the end of 2016. More rumblings about a Top 14 move.
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Confirmed gone from end of Super season this year. France.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11583821'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11583821</a>
 
I wonder if Dagg will follow? Their respective partners are very good friends.

Billy Tell

Vito was really a nearly man. So much potential never quite enough brawn. Think this was telegraphed a mile off just took a while to finalise. Still he had a pretty decent 2015.

Crucial

Not lacking in brawn. His well advertised work on was adding a hard edge to his play. Has always had the size, strength, skills and athleticism. Apart from the odd error he served the ABs very well, let's not forget that.
His 'problem' was that without that extra edge to his tight play (those aggresive moments at the right time that can turn a game) he was never going to be a number one choice.
No one is ever the complete package (apart from the odd freak) it is just that the box Vito didn't tick was higher up the priority list.
Even Messam was preferred at times despite Vito being superior in other areas.
 
Good decision for him though. With Akira Ioane coming through, Luatua looking to fight his way back and the experience of Kaino still required Vito has picked a good time to cash in.

Billy Tell

What's your definition of brawn?? Maybe I should say how to use his brawn.

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="555939" data-time="1454445352">
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What's your definition of brawn?? Maybe I should say how to use his brawn.
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Yeah, we were probably saying the same thing.
I read brawn as physical strength and he isn't lacking there. It's that touch of mongrel that is missing. Comes across as 'too nice' when playing.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="555927" data-time="1454443176">
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Confirmed gone from end of Super season this year. France.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11583821'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11583821</a>
 
I wonder if Dagg will follow? Their respective partners are very good friends.
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No, Dagg is staying.
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
Israel Dagg removes out clause from New Zealand Rugby contract
Last updated 11:15, January 24 2016
 
Israel Dagg is sticking around New Zealand for the foreseeable future.
 
The 49-test All Blacks fullback wasn't required for the recent Rugby World Cup triumph in the United Kingdom, and did tweet afterwards suggesting his international journey was over.
 
However, Dagg has moved to rid his contract of an out-clause for 2016, and promises to be around until 2017.
 
"I've terminated my out clause for this year and I'm going to be around until at least 2017.
 
"I will admit I was looking overseas but I had a good sit down with New Zealand Rugby and my agent and Steve Hansen ... I'm not ready to leave," Dagg told Newstalk ZB.
 
"I love New Zealand too much, love being around familiar faces, I'm only 27."
 
The Lions tour to New Zealand is in 2017, and it would appear Dagg is eyeing a spot in that All Blacks squad should he rediscover his best form.
 
"I'm going to be around until at least 2017 - if I make the All Blacks I will be super-pumped. But I'm looking forward to getting out there and having some fun. I think that's been my problem - I've been taking it way too serious.
 
"When you miss out you want to pack your back. I've got to find the fun factor. When I was young I'd go out there and play what I see."
 
 - Stuff
</blockquote>

mikedogz

Victor Vito going to France

Hooroo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mikedogz" data-cid="555992" data-time="1454457871">
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Victor Vito going to France
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WHAT?!? Where did you see that........................................................................

MajorRage

Vito - I'm alone on this one, but I've always thought I would have loved to see him play in the centres. I also remember him playing sevens, where he was absolute dynamite (the team gameplan was basically give the ball to Vito), so given his move to France, i'm surprised he isn't playing sevens this year.
 
The biggest thing I don't like about this, is Brett Gosper has tweeted about it, congratulating the French club on their signing. Maybe I'm reading far too much into it, but I don't think the CEO of world rugby should be congratulating French clubs on using their cash to hoover up the worlds talent.

gt12

With Read taking the captaincy, I think this was always in the cards. Good luck to him.

Siam

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MajorRage" data-cid="556034" data-time="1454463649">
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Vito - I'm alone on this one, but I've always thought I would have loved to see him play in the centres. I also remember him playing sevens, where he was absolute dynamite (the team gameplan was basically give the ball to Vito), so given his move to France, i'm surprised he isn't playing sevens this year.
 
The biggest thing I don't like about this, is Brett Gosper has tweeted about it, congratulating the French club on their signing. Maybe I'm reading far too much into it, but I don't think the CEO of world rugby should be congratulating French clubs on using their cash to hoover up the worlds talent.
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Agree MR, this Gosper fella is in the wrong media far too much I reckon. Comes across as incredibly full of himself - cock

MajorRage

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="556063" data-time="1454466275">
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Agree MR, this Gosper fella is in the wrong media far too much I reckon. Comes across as incredibly full of himself - cock
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I'm not sure thats what I'm saying. Every CEO is full of himself, Ã½ou can't get to that position in anything without being so.
 
What i'm suggesting is that I don't like the CEO of World Rugby seemingly aligning himself with something that almost all fans see as a real problem in the game - the centralizing of the games talent in the most cash rich region. Sending them a message on this, says he's happy with another top tier player being removed from the top tier of the game.

Smudge

To be fair to Gosper, he has congratulated Vito - not the club - and I get the feeling he must have a professional relationship with Vito through the WRAC?
 
Felicitations to World Rugby Athletes Commission member <a class="" href="https://twitter.com/VictorVito1103">@VictorVito1103</a> (oh and also an All Black) on his move to La Rochelle in France.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='

'>

</a>

Hooroo

If I look up the word Felicitations on google at work, am I going to be in trouble?

The Silver Fern

Exodus 2016