Exodus 2018

pakman

Sopoaga seemed to have suffered from too little game time last season. Performances down a notch on previous years.

That said, a substantial loss, and leaves us going into RWC with all our eggs in one basket experience wise.

pukunui

@canefan said in Exodus 2018:

@kiwiinmelb said in Exodus 2018:

Big loss but at the same time I wasn’t that convinced he was that great a test 10 , not saying he wasn’t either but jury was still out a bit for me .

But you don’t want to go losing the next in line all the same .

We lost Nick Evans, we survived. Next man up

The 3 years that followed Evans leaving are not something we want to repeat when it comes to 10's.

Crucial

I'm not sold on RM at all. Here's hoping his progression kicks up a gear.
The Ben Smith sabbatical and other injuries have been a blessing in disguise now with regard to DMac. If he shows the skills and head at 10 for the Chiefs he now has a lot of test experience (way more than Lima had) to work from.

Crucial

It's going to be difficult when you consider that in Super Rugby, LS is holding a spot that is stopping progression of someone else. Doesn't give many options.

We basically have

Canes- BB
Chiefs - first step up in position for DMac
Landers - departing LS
Saders - Mounga
Blues - Perofuture/ Gatland

The ABs are likely to stick with the development of RM and will not want to waste the experience gained by DMac but my pick as dark horse to put pressure on selection is Perofeta. I can't back it up with much, just a hunch. He looks to me to be the guy that once things click he will jump up the rankings fast.

Billy Tell

Is there anything to be said for a project player? Some of the Irish 10s look quite good. Would be ready to roll for 2023, just in time for the defence of Webb Ellis.

akan004

@crucial Have to agree on Perofeta, looks all class. Am also interested in how Hunt goes. Was impressed with his play for Ta$man.

Bones

Will be interesting to see how Garden-Bachop goes too.

Crucial

@bones said in Exodus 2018:

Will be interesting to see how Garden-Bachop goes too.

There has never been much inclination from the Canes to give anyone else much of a chance to show themselves unless BB gets injured.

canefan

@bones said in Exodus 2018:

Will be interesting to see how Garden-Bachop goes too.

He didn't give me any indication that he has the class from what I saw in ITM cup

Bones

@canefan I thought he went well, for Wellington to have a successful season with a dud first five doesn't really sound right.

pakman

Anyone heard any news on MN5's favourite midfielder?

Stargazer

@stargazer said in Exodus 2018:

Midol reported yesterday that Jarrad Hoeata will join Montpellier as injury cover for Jacques du Plessis, who is out injured for the rest of the season. Although it has not yet been confirmed officially by Montpellier, Hoeata tweeted last night tha he had landed in Paris and had one more flight to go, so I assume Midol has got this one right.

Now confirmed by Montpellier: http://www.montpellier-rugby.com/news/joker-medical-jarrad-hoeata-sengage-avec-le-mhr

Rapido

@bones said in Exodus 2018:

@canefan I thought he went well, for Wellington to have a successful season with a dud first five doesn't really sound right.

He was Wellington's official player of the year.

Bones

@rapido and showed a massive improvement from super rugby too. Go figure.

taniwharugby

@bones just something about him I'm not sure of and don't like...not sure exactly what or why, but just don't see him as anything more than a good mitre10 cup player.

No Quarter

@taniwharugby said in Exodus 2018:

@bones just something about him I'm not sure of and don't like...not sure exactly what or why, but just don't see him as anything more than a good mitre10 cup player.

He just wasn't consistent from the matches I saw him play. Some really good stuff mixed in with some rubbish. I wouldn't completely write him off, he's not the first young player to struggle with consistency on the pitch.

Billy Tell

Just to cheer everyone up Munster Rugby have signed 2 promising SA schoolboys to their academy...

Stargazer

Official:

Sopoaga's instagram:

limasopoaga: It's with a heavy heart that I announce that my family and I will be leaving NZ at the end of the 2018 season.

It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make but is one I'm at peace with. I have loved every minute of being a professional footballer here in NZ, I've made life long friends and memories that I'll cherish forever. 
I'd like to thank the Highlanders, All Blacks, Southland and Wellington for the awesome experiences you have provided me with over the years. Thank you to all the fans for your support it's been one heck of a ride. To my team mates and coaches over the years thank you for everything, I've been blessed to have met so many top men. Last but not least to my family & friends you know who you are the ones who have stood by me through the lowest of lows and the highest of highs you have seen both the valleys and the peaks, THANK YOU will never be enough! 
So here's to 2018 one last roll of the dice before I head off to experience life on the other side of the world. I'm ready. 
TheSops
LS10

.

http://www.allblacks.com/News/31918/lima-sopoaga-to-leave-new-zealand-rugby

Bones

@taniwharugby fair enough, I would've said the same before npc. I obviously missed some telling games though.

MN5

@pakman said in Exodus 2018:

Anyone heard any news on MN5's favourite midfielder?

Marty Berry?

Real Estate Agent over in the Wairarapa last I heard. I'm looking at buying a weekender so might be needing his services. That would be a dream come true.

The Silver Fern

Exodus 2018