Exodus 2016

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="594157" data-time="1467695703">
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Who's gonna run the Gym ?
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Id say their business partner will...

Stargazer

The media are reporting that Andrew Horrell will play for Coca Cola Red Sparks for the next two Top League seasons. Not really a surprise to Magpies fans, who already knew he wouldn't play Mitre 10 Cup this year, but now finally a bit more details of where he's heading.
 
He only had a one year contract with the Chiefs, and the article on stuff says that Horrell doesn't yet know whether he'll return to Super Rugby next season.
 
Horrell is the proof that being versatile doesn't always work in your favour. He's a really good player, who maybe could have sealed a spot for himself a couple of years ago if he had been a specialist. I think this is the right time for him to move on and earn some coin.
 
Haven't seen any official confirmation yet.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/81797541/chiefs-utility-andrew-horrell-heading-to-japan-unsure-if-hell-return-to-super-rugby'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/81797541/chiefs-utility-andrew-horrell-heading-to-japan-unsure-if-hell-return-to-super-rugby</a>

Billy Tell

He's been a bit hit by injuries too which hasn't helped. One of those very handy squad players, a couple of seasons back he was in enough form that I wondered (briefly) about higher honours.

Bovidae

The same reporter mentioned something last week. Horrell is a useful squad member these days but not a starter. A good move for him.

SammyC

I think he's achieved a lot for his talent.
 
Another club player I didn't think would go very far.
 
Definately the right time to make the move

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="594342" data-time="1467762098">
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I think he's achieved a lot for his talent.
 
Another club player I didn't think would go very far.
 
Definately the right time to make the move
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You are fashioning (self noting) a reputation as someone who doesn't really recognise club talent ;).

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="594438" data-time="1467775447">
You are fashioning (self noting) a reputation as someone who doesn't really recognise club talent ;).</blockquote>
I knew you'd say something 
At least I'm out there watching, not swanning around Sydney nightclubs and beaches :) 
He's been good for the Chiefs, but don't agree with whoever above had him in the ABs mix

reprobate

i reckon he should have stuck with centre. smart player, uses space well, very good hands.
 
bit little for 12, bit slow for 15, not a good enough boot for 10.

mariner4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="reprobate" data-cid="594476" data-time="1467782225">
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i reckon he should have stuck with centre. smart player, uses space well, very good hands.
 
bit little for 12, bit slow for 15, not a good enough boot for 10.
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that's a pretty good summation i think

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="594441" data-time="1467775723">
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I knew you'd say something :) 
At least I'm out there watching, not swanning around Sydney nightclubs and beaches :) 
He's been good for the Chiefs, but don't agree with whoever above had him in the ABs mix
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I think the last time I went to a Sydney nightclub was in the 90s!
 
And don't believe what they say, you can't go to the beach all year round - it's bloody freezing at the moment!

Daffy Jaffy

I read on a French website yesterday that Simon Hickey has re-signed with Bordeaux for another two years but will return to play for Auckland in the Mitre 10 cup.
While I understand he has gone very well over there and will probably return a better player (he even Kicked Bordeaux to a victory over Toulon earlier this year), I think it will be a shame if he keeps some other young player from developing with Auckland and showing their potential for a path to super rugby when Hickey is not available for super rugby for at least 2 more years, if at all. On another NPC note I am hoping young Marcel Renata will make a big move toward super rugby this year. A big, mobile aggressive Prop who has already played for NZ Maori and NZ universities. With Ofa T. likely with the All Blacks he may get enough NPC game time to get noticed.

Milk

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Daffy Jaffy" data-cid="594556" data-time="1467811640">
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I read on a French website yesterday that Simon Hickey has re-signed with Bordeaux for another two years but will return to play for Auckland in the Mitre 10 cup.
While I understand he has gone very well over there and will probably return a better player (he even Kicked Bordeaux to a victory over Toulon earlier this year), I think it will be a shame if he keeps some other young player from developing with Auckland and showing their potential for a path to super rugby when Hickey is not available for super rugby for at least 2 more years, if at all. On another NPC note I am hoping young Marcel Renata will make a big move toward super rugby this year. A big, mobile aggressive Prop who has already played for NZ Maori and NZ universities. With Ofa T. likely with the All Blacks he may get enough NPC game time to get noticed.
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I'm more on the other side of the argument. We need any experience we can get in the ITM cup, and the professionalism an experienced player can bring to the newbies around him, especially at 10 where he should be able to influence the whole backline, outweighs the negative. The back up 10 can learn from him too, until at such point he overtakes him on his own merits.

Daffy Jaffy

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Milk" data-cid="594558" data-time="1467815915">
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I'm more on the other side of the argument. We need any experience we can get in the ITM cup, and the professionalism an experienced player can bring to the newbies around him, especially at 10 where he should be able to influence the whole backline, outweighs the negative. The back up 10 can learn from him too, until at such point he overtakes him on his own merits.
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That's a good point, I hadn't looked at it from that direction. There is a group of promising 10's around Auckland at present but they are all very green. I wonder if Hickey will be named captain by New coach White? If not the new boys may get more of a share of the game time. It will be interesting to see which of the young 10's make the squad. I would guess Talataina-Mu and Fonoti.

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Daffy Jaffy" data-cid="594556" data-time="1467811640">
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I read on a French website yesterday that Simon Hickey has re-signed with Bordeaux for another two years but will return to play for Auckland in the Mitre 10 cup.
While I understand he has gone very well over there and will probably return a better player (he even Kicked Bordeaux to a victory over Toulon earlier this year), I think it will be a shame if he keeps some other young player from developing with Auckland and showing their potential for a path to super rugby when Hickey is not available for super rugby for at least 2 more years, if at all. On another NPC note I am hoping young Marcel Renata will make a big move toward super rugby this year. A big, mobile aggressive Prop who has already played for NZ Maori and NZ universities. With Ofa T. likely with the All Blacks he may get enough NPC game time to get noticed.
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Anthing's an upgrade on Isi Tu'ungafasi and Tom McHugh so he may well see his fair share of game time.

Dice

I'm hoping we don't name Hickey as our captain, because then he becomes undroppable. If Hickey performed half decently last season, we probably win the comp.
 
If Luatua doesn't make the All Blacks, I'd have him as captain.
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Daffy Jaffy" data-cid="594561" data-time="1467824129">
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That's a good point, I hadn't looked at it from that direction. There is a group of promising 10's around Auckland at present but they are all very green. I wonder if Hickey will be named captain by New coach White? If not the new boys may get more of a share of the game time. It will be interesting to see which of the young 10's make the squad. I would guess Talataina-Mu and Fonoti.
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These two would make the most sense, as not only do they cover 10, they also cover the midfield. With TJ Faiane due back in October, and Moala(and Fekitoa) possibly in the All Blacks, we could only be left with Rieko and Aso as our midfielders for the season.

Hooroo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="594595" data-time="1467846888">
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I'm hoping we don't name Hickey as our captain, because then he becomes undroppable. If Hickey performed half decently last season, we probably win the comp.
 
 
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I'm sorry.... what?!?

KiwiMurph

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="594599" data-time="1467847898">
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I'm sorry.... what?!?
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The ITM Cup 2015. Auckland came within a whisker of winning in last year, despite Hickey having a very poor season.

Dice

We were lucky to only lose that final by 2 points with Hickey at 10. He added nothing in general play and put us on the backfoot right at the beginning of the game by gifting the ball to the Cantabs in great field position because of his silly nothing dink kick within our 22. The Cantabs eventually score from it and we're down 5 - 0 in the first minute of a final away from home.
 
Hickey looks like he should be safe, but he plays more like a goal kicking Tasesa Lavea.

Hooroo

1000 apologies! I was in Super rugby mode.
 
I understand the comment nopw

Stargazer

Today, it has finally been made official that Todd Blackadder and Tabai Matson are joining Bath rugby as Director of Rugby and Head Coach, respectively. 
 <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.bathrugby.com/news/bath-rugby-announce-new-coaching-structure/'>http://www.bathrugby.com/news/bath-rugby-announce-new-coaching-structure/</a> 
 
Am I reading too much in in the fact that Blackadder will come off contract in 2019? 

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The pair negotiated their contracts independent of each other and Blackadder has signed for three years, while Matson has signed for four.
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 <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11683237'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11683237</a>

The Silver Fern

Exodus 2016