Exodus
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Eddie Jones has repeatedly said it's not his job to write the eligibility rules, it's his job to prepare the best possible team for England to the very best of his ability.
Whatever decision Hoskins Sotutu makes is up to him. He will know his career goals and his own Rugby identity. He has to think as well about his post-Rugby career and the very real possibility that injury could cut his career short.
It would be a stunning coup by Eddie Jones and the RFU if they could get Hoskins Sotutu of the Blues and former NZ under-20 international to commit to playing for England. But dear God, what would it say about Ian Foster and NZR if they let such an obvious outstanding talent slip through their fingers?
Next cab off the rank?
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A bit more info. That rumour about Beauden Barrett comes from the Daily Mail. Wait and see whether it's true and whether the length of the deal is correct. I agree @mofitzy_, I also thought he only had a sabbatical clause for one season.
All Blacks superstar Beauden Barrett has agreed a multi-million pound move to Suntory Sungoliath as the exodus of players to Japan continues.
The double World Player of the Year has agreed a two-year deal with the franchise, worth £780,000 (NZ$1.5m) per season.
Sportsmail understands the 29-year-old full-back, who also plays No 10, will join up with his new side after this year’s autumn internationals.
It means he will not represent the All Blacks for two years, however the New Zealand Rugby Union agreed to the deal to help ease the financial strain of COVID-19.
Barrett and his All Blacks team-mates are centrally contracted, allowing New Zealand control over their players on the international stage.
His absence will cost the team arguably their best player but free up crucial funds to help deal with the lack to Test rugby during the Covid-19 crisis.
Barrett agrees huge £780,000-a-year deal to join Suntory Sungoliath
EXCLUSIVE BY NIK SIMON: All Blacks superstar Beauden Barrett has agreed a multi-million dollar move to Suntory Sungoliath as the exodus of players to Japan continues.
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@Stargazer Beauden seems to have become a peripheral figure at the Blues. He should be playing 10 and calling the shots as he did at the Hurricanes. Not surprised he is looking at other options.
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@sparky
I'd say this has way less to do with the Blues than the financial situation of NZR. Offload your highest paycheck for 2 years knowing he'll be back likely fresher than when he left and in time for another RWC.Good luck to Beauden. I hope he makes lots and lots and lots of Yen in Japan.
Then comes home to Hurricanes and plays 1st 5 for free.
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He also wouldn't be doing his 'eddie' job if he didn't attempt to wind up some kiwis.
But, then again, he actually went through with it with Brad Shields ...
Yeah, he even kept up the charade by picking him for a few tests before discarding him when it actually counted
You could say that he "dropped" Brad, which would be appropriate.
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Confirmed: Beauden Barrett to play in Japan next season
Barrett, who signed a four-year deal with New Zealand Rugby and the Blues last year, will miss next year’s Super Rugby season and play for the Suntory Sungoliath club based in Tokyo, before returning to New Zealand for the 2021 international season. He will then remain in New Zealand for the rest of his contract until 2023.
The plan to play in Japan in 2021 is part of Barrett’s four-year deal agreed last year with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and the Blues.
https://www.allblacks.com/news/barrett-to-play-in-japan-next-season/
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@Stargazer
Don't know where they got the 2 years from. 1 season is much better. -
@Stargazer
Don't know where they got the 2 years from. 1 season is much better.UK press, those that care about rugby rather than soccer, would do anything to belittle NZ and ABs rugby? I mean could you imagine the furour if a former AB Captain had been banned for drug use - on a 3rd strike? The Walrus would die of happiness in an explosion of vitriol. In the UK, SA & Boks (pretty much rampant by the numbers of school boys) drug abuse is barely mentioned. Not mentioned here much either, as they are our SANZAAR partners, and biggest foes.
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Fuck off Beauden stay in Japan.
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Barrett is the tip of the iceberg now. He's a full-on mercenary. 1 year at the Blues and then his bitch ass* is off to Japan to prolong what in my opinion is a career in decline. I think COVID will see a lot of players making that same jaunt to cash grab. They've been stung in the pocket and they only have a small window to be worthy of larger paydays. I don't begrudge them that given the way things are.
*hes a bitch ass because he should have stayed at the canes not because he fucking off.
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@raznomore said in Exodus:
Barrett is the tip of the iceberg now. He's a full-on mercenary. 1 year at the Blues and then his bitch ass* is off to Japan to prolong what in my opinion is a career in decline. I think COVID will see a lot of players making that same jaunt to cash grab. They've been stung in the pocket and they only have a small window to be worthy of larger paydays. I don't begrudge them that given the way things are.
*hes a bitch ass because he should have stayed at the canes not because he fucking off.
Having the RWC in Japan, which has obviously made Japan a more desirable destination for players, IMO, changes the landscape somewhat. With Japan being in the same time zone, it opens the door to potentially brining their Top League Clubs into a meaningful competition with Oz and NZ, but importantly means that guys can head over there for a pay check, but still get selected for the ABs because they're playing in the same comp, in the same season structure. I think we are at least 4-5 years from that happening but to me it seems like the logical and reasonable for our guys to get paid while still being able to play in black.
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When the new Japanese pro league starts, there will be flood. But not now, because of covid. Covid will actually make players more sticky. Barrett's deal is still for old japanese company league structure.
When the Japanese new league does happen in 2021 or 22 or whenever it is, I think we shouldn't fight it. If play in a Pacific timezone with a league that doesn't wreck players and respects and dovetails with test windows- then available for ABs.
Even better if we can slide into the action a bit with a Pacific club champions league thing.
