SBW set to sign for......

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="585041" data-time="1465003610">
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Veitchy is saying messam is heading to the blues as well
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would be an odd move at this stage of his career, unless it is more a mentor role with plenty of quality loosies already there?

KiwiMurph

I'd take a swap of Messam and Edwards.

kiwiinmelb

Yeah loose forwards are probably not an issue right now at the blues , so although he is a quality player , it's not like he would be coming in to plug a hole

KiwiMurph

Yes and no - Blues need to better their depth to really compete. Messam off the bench is a big step up from Ram/Edwards etc. 
Not to mention another huge area of need for the Blues - leadership.

mimic

i'm a huge fan of Edwards. I wouldn't be quick to move him on.. 
hes still young..

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mimic" data-cid="585052" data-time="1465008340">
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i'm a huge fan of Edwards. I wouldn't be quick to move him on.. 
hes still young.. 
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Agreed, he just hasn't been given much of a go with the loosies we have (the 1 position we have plenty of depth in). We simply do not need Messam.

milkshake

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="585053" data-time="1465009022">
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Agreed, he just hasn't been given much of a go with the loosies we have (the 1 position we have plenty of depth in). We simply do not need Messam.
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Yeah, Edwards has probably deserved more time on the pitch but injury and then the emergence of Ioane have stopped it.
 
I don't think the Blues need Messam either, if any loosie came up from the Chiefs I'd prefer to get Seu back.

pukunui

Don't think the Blues need Messam. The back row is the one spot where they have an over supply of good players. Kaino, Luatua, Gibson, Ioane with Edwards, Latimer (is he around next year?) and Prior adding depth. Add to that Jimmy Tupou and there is no need for another loosie even if he is good.

nostrildamus

I thought Latimer was on a 1 year loan then back to Japan I assumed?

SammyC

Surely the Chiefs would want messum back next year? their pack are a much tougher proposition with him getting stuck in.

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="585196" data-time="1465106737">
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Surely the Chiefs would want messum back next year? their pack are a much tougher proposition with him getting stuck in.
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It would be the best move for all parties, plus it wouldn't feel right seeing Messam playing for anyone other than the Chiefs.

SammyC

He seems like such a proud Chiefs man. Always nice to see players like that stay with the one franchise

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="585198" data-time="1465107373">
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He seems like such a proud Chiefs man. Always nice to see players like that stay with the one franchise
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Yup which is what I like about our top players with their franchises. Apart from the odd player, you very rarely see our top players playing for more than the 1 franchise.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="585201" data-time="1465108662">
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Yup which is what I like about our top players with their franchises. Apart from the odd player, you very rarely see our top players playing for more than the 1 franchise.
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Of the recent six that retired two played for more than one.....heaps of guys have done it, hardly an unusual thing to happen. Certainly didn't seem to hinder Ma'a's career too much.
 
Perhaps if SBW bombs out people can use it as an excuse ?

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="585201" data-time="1465108662">
Yup which is what I like about our top players with their franchises. Apart from the odd player, you very rarely see our top players playing for more than the 1 franchise.</blockquote>
 
I agree, I like it too. 
It's nice that a player growing up in the region can aspire to play for the crusaders or Chiefs or canes because that's where they come from. 
Would hate rugby to go the way of American sport with the whole draft system and players switching teams so regularly.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="585147" data-time="1465085319">
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Don't think the Blues need Messam. The back row is the one spot where they have an over supply of good players. Kaino, Luatua, Gibson, Ioane with Edwards, Latimer (is he around next year?) and Prior adding depth. Add to that Jimmy Tupou and there is no need for another loosie even if he is good.
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You'd tend to think not - but, to throw in a speculator - the only reason I could see them signing Messam is if Kaino (especially) or Luatua has given them the tip that they're leaving.
 
You'd think JK would be hanging around for the Lions but, on the other hand, he'll turn 34 around the start of next Super season, so if he's thinking to pad his bank account with another northern tour of duty, then he's getting short on time.

Bovidae

I seriously doubt Messam will be moving up SH1, and he knows he can return to the Chiefs at any time. I know the media likes to mention the SBW-Messam connection but Messam's best mate in the ABs is actually Kaino. The Lions tour will be a huge carrot for a lot of veterans.

Tim

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="585262" data-time="1465169245">
You'd tend to think not - but, to throw in a speculator - the only reason I could see them signing Messam is if Kaino (especially) or Luatua has given them the tip that they're leaving. 
You'd think JK would be hanging around for the Lions but, on the other hand, he'll turn 34 around the start of next Super season, so if he's thinking to pad his bank account with another northern tour of duty, then he's getting short on time. </blockquote>
IIRC, Kaino is contracted until the end of 2018, and Luatua is until the end of 2017.

KiwiMurph

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="585206" data-time="1465111684">
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Of the recent six that retired two played for more than one.....heaps of guys have done it, hardly an unusual thing to happen. Certainly didn't seem to hinder Ma'a's career too much.
 
Perhaps if SBW bombs out people can use it as an excuse ?
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Actually 3 of them - in addition to MaÃ¡, Woodcock played a season with the Highlanders and Mealamu had a season with the Chiefs.

rotated

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="585269" data-time="1465174265">
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Actually 3 of them - in addition to MaÃ¡, Woodcock played a season with the Highlanders and Mealamu had a season with the Chiefs.
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Apart from Rok, Kaino & Flavell I can't think of another prominent tenured All Black in the pro-era* who didn't play for another franchise beside the Blues. Toeava, Howlett, Mils, Williams, Woodcock, Weepu/Nonu, Spencer, Lomu, Mealamu. Even guys like Cashmore and Eroni Clarke who were staples in the first 4-5 seasons kicked on to greener pastures.
 
* not counting guys like the Brookes, Fitzy, Jones etc whose careers were largely pre-S12.

The Silver Fern

SBW set to sign for......