SBW set to sign for......
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="583968" data-time="1464578184">
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<p>I guess the thing that gets to some people (I don't care personally) is that it seems every 5 minutes there is talk of another contract negotiation and "speculation" about his future. It seems at odds with plenty of other players that have had AB careers, even those that have taken sabbaticals.</p>
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<p>Honestly the only other contract negotiations for a high profile All Black that was remotely close to the same SBWs 3 (?) now contracts have been was Hayman and that was because apparently they were throwing in a dairy farm. The way Nasser conducts business is incredibly out of kilter with all other ABs, very league which is where he is from.</p>
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<p>The rest just slip under the mainstream medias radar usually until the guy has great Super form and is gunning for an AB spot but is already commited to a European club.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="583585" data-time="1464463446">
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<p>SBW is 31 in August, 34 by RWC 2019. Smith and Nonu were 34 and 33 respectively at the last world cup - so age isn't an issue theoretically.</p>
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<p>Be interesting to see how many ABs are able to mount a tilt at three Rugby World Cup winners' medals.</p>
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<p>I guess Sam Whitelock is the favourite, since he's still only 27. Owen Franks is 28 and should also last. Mainly a question of serious injuries or enthusiasm that would stop these two.</p>
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<p>Sonny Bill and Kieran Read are pretty much the same age and I suppose reasonable shots, though both will be stretching things to Nonu/Conrad/McCaw lengths.</p>
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<p>Jerome Kaino is still in the AB frame, but he's 33 now, still 3 years to run and contenders are lining up in his position. A fair sort of outsider.</p>
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<p>Probably more likely that Slade or Vito (or an elderly Ben Franks) would come back from overseas and find their way into the 2019 squad - none are very likely.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="583987" data-time="1464581874">
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<p>Be interesting to see how many ABs are able to mount a tilt at three Rugby World Cup winners' medals.</p>
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<p>I guess Sam Whitelock is the favourite, since he's still only 27. Owen Franks is 28 and should also last. Mainly a question of serious injuries or enthusiasm that would stop these two.</p>
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<p>Sonny Bill and Kieran Read are pretty much the same age and I suppose reasonable shots, though both will be stretching things to Nonu/Conrad/McCaw lengths.</p>
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<p>Jerome Kaino is still in the AB frame, but he's 33 now, still 3 years to run and contenders are lining up in his position. A fair sort of outsider.</p>
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<p>Probably more likely that Slade or Vito (or an elderly Ben Franks) would come back from overseas and find their way into the 2019 squad - none are very likely.</p>
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<p>SBW will definitely have a crack at a third, oust some well performed stalwart and push the interweb into meltdown mode.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="583989" data-time="1464582095"><p>
SBW will definitely have a crack at a third, oust some well performed stalwart and push the interweb into meltdown mode.</p></blockquote>
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Not so fast SBW only has one World Cup winners medal. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="583968" data-time="1464578184">
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<p>I guess the thing that gets to some people (I don't care personally) is that it seems every 5 minutes there is talk of another contract negotiation and "speculation" about his future. It seems at odds with plenty of other players that have had AB careers, even those that have taken sabbaticals.</p>
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<p>how much of this is Sonny Bill or Khoder though? It's more the media's fault. They know all they need to do is put "SBW" into a title and it'll double the amount of reads, and double the amount of comments. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="583995" data-time="1464583756">
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<p>Not so fast SBW only has one World Cup winners medal.</p>
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<p>Actually, he's got three - one is just in safe-keeping with a rich kid in Surrey! :)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Sabalom Glitz" data-cid="584000" data-time="1464584418">
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<p>how much of this is Sonny Bill or Khoder though? It's more the media's fault. They know all they need to do is put "SBW" into a title and it'll double the amount of reads, and double the amount of comments. </p>
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<p>Yes I think there is a fair bit of that in it , in the age of internet media </p>
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<p>the name sonny bill williams = more clicks than any other player </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Sabalom Glitz" data-cid="584000" data-time="1464584418">
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<p>how much of this is Sonny Bill or Khoder though? It's more the media's fault. They know all they need to do is put "SBW" into a title and it'll double the amount of reads, and double the amount of comments. </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="584003" data-time="1464585265">
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<p>Yes I think there is a fair bit of that in it , in the age of internet media </p>
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<p>the name sonny bill williams = more clicks than any other player </p>
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<p>I agree</p>
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<p>Lucky the old fern is far too much of a discerning place to fall for that old click bait/hysteria tactic... :)</p> -
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/80561945/state-of-origin-2016-tana-umaga-visits-nsw-blues-secret-training-session'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/80561945/state-of-origin-2016-tana-umaga-visits-nsw-blues-secret-training-session</a></p>
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<p>Article says Tana is in Sydney to meet SBWs agent.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="583987" data-time="1464581874">
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<p>Be interesting to see how many ABs are able to mount a tilt at three Rugby World Cup winners' medals.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I guess Sam Whitelock is the favourite, since he's still only 27. Owen Franks is 28 and should also last. Mainly a question of serious injuries or enthusiasm that would stop these two.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sonny Bill and Kieran Read are pretty much the same age and I suppose reasonable shots, though both will be stretching things to Nonu/Conrad/McCaw lengths.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Jerome Kaino is still in the AB frame, but he's 33 now, still 3 years to run and contenders are lining up in his position. A fair sort of outsider.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Probably more likely that Slade or Vito (or an elderly Ben Franks) would come back from overseas and find their way into the 2019 squad - none are very likely.</p>
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<p>3 world cup titles, never been done and must be a motivation for a few guys. Reckon Sam Whitelock might have a crack at 4?</p>
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<p>Surprised initially that SBW wanted to sign for 3 years but when kids come into the picture maybe he wanted to stay in one place for a bit longer?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NZ Rugby Quizzes" data-cid="584144" data-time="1464633443">
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<p>3 world cup titles, never been done and must be a motivation for a few guys. Reckon Sam Whitelock might have a crack at 4?</p>
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<p>Surprised initially that SBW wanted to sign for 3 years but when kids come into the picture maybe he wanted to stay in one place for a bit longer?</p>
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<p>Easy fella, 3 comes before 4......</p> -
<p>Supposedly a press conference tomorrow morning.</p>
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<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.16px;">Details of Sonny Bill Williams' new three-year deal with New Zealand Rugby will be confirmed on Wednesday, and the cross-code star is believed to be favouring a move to the Blues.</span><br><br><span style="margin:0px;font-size:12.16px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);"><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/sonny-bill-williams-set-to-sign-with-auckland-blues-in-threeyear-deal-20160531-gp87ac.html#ixzz4ADBskZi4'>http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/sonny-bill-williams-set-to-sign-with-auckland-blues-in-threeyear-deal-20160531-gp87ac.html#ixzz4ADBskZi4</a> </span></blockquote> -
<p>As much as i would love to have him at the Chiefs, i think it's good he's going to the Blues. They've been a basket case for ages, and it's good to have a star player choose to go there, some others might follow. </p>
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<p>And the Chiefs don't really need him. It would be beneficial for NZ rugby if he joined the Blues.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="584339" data-time="1464683917">
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<p>Would he get picked over the human highlight reel that his Piers Francis? Tough call for Tana.</p>
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<p>Lol to be fair to Francis he's been better than I thought, maybe due to the low expectations I had of him but yes, Tana's bound to lose sleep over this dilema.</p> -
Great to have SBW commit to NZ Rugby. He was superb throughout the 2015 RWC and proved lots of doubters including myself wrong. The Charlie Lines incident and his work with UNICEF in Lebanon give him a media profile way beyond New Zealand and established Rugby fans. I'm sure he could have got a lot more money in NRL, France or English Club Rugby.<br><br>
I know some Chief fans will be disappointed he's off to the Blues, especially after his "I'll come back to the Chiefs and play for free" comments. Obviosuly being with the Blues suits him now personally and he thinks Tana Umaga is the coach to help him achieving his personal goals at the moment.<br><br>
Competition for the All Blacks 12 jersey is going to be fierce. Hansen has described SBW, as along with Gareth Thomas, as one of the two best athletes he's worked with as athletes. Ngati and Crotty are getting better and better and Jordie Barrett looks like an exciting prospect.<br><br>
SBW is one of those players (Martin Johnson and Michael Jones were others) whose athleticism you appreciate a helluva more watching them at the stadium than on TV. His passing skills in contact and vision awareness are sublime. Hopefully lots of Auckland-based Blues fans will take the opportunity to see a world class player in action for their team and lots of seats in Eden Park will be filled. Exciting times. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="584346" data-time="1464686871">
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<p>If true that 10 spot really is the last massive issue they have to solve. Sure they can upgrade a few positions still but that 10 role is vital.</p>
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<p>No idea how hard they tried ,maybe they did, but they should have thrown a lot at DMac, promising him the 10 jersey , </p>
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<p>He has made it known that 10 is the position he wants to play </p>
