Exodus
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@Stargazer yeah you'd think some of those that arent looking to play for the ABs will use it as a stepping stone to get a big contract up north.
Shame, as MP & FD could be fantastic and add something different to the comp.
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@Stargazer Not fussed tbh. It just means someone else gets a chance for a spot and if anything, it spreads the talent pool for Samoa and Tonga.
We saw with the Samoan team in the PNC the benefits MP are having.
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@Stargazer said in Exodus:
And .... Moana Pasifika lose another player to the NH. To me, it just looks like the whole purpose of MP is backfiring. How many good players are coming back from the NH to play for MP? At the moment, I see more MP players going to the NH!
Who else has left? The only one I've seen that seems like a big loss is Stowers.
Mauger has said most of the team has been retained.
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It's only Kata, let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater yet.
But, to be serious, I always assumed there'd be a bit of movement in the team especially in the first couple of years.
As this year was essentially a proof of concept would any player be on a multi year contract with MP?
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@African-Monkey I don't think it's good for Samoa and Tonga if MP players leave for the NH. Players in the NH have difficulty getting released from their clubs. So if that means that Samoa and Tonga have to select from that wider talent pool you're speaking of, they don't get the best players in their national team, only young rookies or lesser players. And if those young rookies are Kiwis, then they might think twice about playing for Tonga and Samoa, if they (still) have ABs ambitions.
This year, it worked out for Samoa, but will that continue if the current crop of players leave for a big pay day in the NH?
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@Stargazer Poloniati was not even a starter at Manawatu
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@Stargazer I see your point, but I just see it as another opportunity for another Samoan/Tongan to come into the side, and thats what its all about at the end of the day, and there's plenty of it floating around, especially with great provinces like Hawke's Bay providing plenty of opportunities for Island players 😉.
But yeah, if it wasn't for MP having a side in Super Rugby, a lot of these guys would be stuck playing club rugby which doesn't help the PI players progress.
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@Stargazer And that is a great example of how MP is working. If it wasn't for MP having a side, a guy like him would be stuck in club rugby, but got a gig in SR and now has a top 14 contract.
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This thread might now become redundant given there probably won't be too many club owners up north getting their cheque books out for anyone connected with the ABs these last few years. We could well see a renaissance in what is left of Super Rugby with all our best players available for selection rather than having heaps of them buggering off chasing overseas riches.
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