Exodus 2018
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@rapido said in Exodus 2018:
So did Brad Shields turn down injury-replacement AB selection last November? I heard conflicting accounts?
If he had not turned it down, with another injury gaping-hole in his position this June would he be getting some AB caps this June? in an alternative sliding doors parallel universe?
He did, but not because he wants to play for England.
Shields confirmed last month he was moving to Britain to play with the London Wasps - a move many saw as a decision to pursue a place in England's Rugby World Cup squad after he turned down an All Blacks call-up as injury cover in this year's end-of-year tour. However, the 26-year-old exclusively told 1 NEWS today that wasn't the case. "My baby was born around that time so there was a pretty thin chance I was going to head over," he said. "My focus wasn't there. I wanted to be there for my partner and that took priority." -
@stargazer Why the fuck don't England just grow their own loose forwards ffs. I am so sick of NZ being a breeding ground for England or whoever else. Jeebus!
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Given that’s the terms of his contract compared to Piers Francis,From legal stand point the NZRFU hold all the cards,but It is a bit disappointing that the NZRU and Hansen had Kaino holding a tackle bag during the Rugby championship last year which did my head in at the time..I felt from the time the Infidelity story in and around Kaino broke,I always thought he was toast mentally and his career was only going one way.
And that would have been the perfect time to have tried Brad Shields in the 6 jersey as opposed to Vaia Fifita to experiment which provide mixed results..Personally from point of view I am still not sure about Sheilds at international level,no question he’s a very good player..just have some nagging doubts
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@bovidae while from NZR that is fine...canes probably wouldn't be so keen at pointy end of season
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@taniwharugby said in Exodus 2018:
@bovidae while from NZR that is fine...canes probably wouldn't be so keen at pointy end of season
Yep, so the responsibility goes back on Shields to be loyal to the Canes first, and wait until his NZR contract has finished.
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@bones Well all I can say,like coaches and selectors its all in the eye of the beholder,Saw a lot of Ben Lam when he played for Grammar Tech when he played up in Auckland,always had that talent,pace and power but was not the best of trainers,
When he first made the Blues he was very fortunate to have made the cut,made his debut against the Stormers in Africa and got schooled,not his fault,just should never have been selected so young..
In recent years for Auckland been up and down,then got injured never to be seen for a while and what’s revitalised his career was playing sevens,had to get fit.
He’s taken his chances well.Alaimalo on the other hand has been gradually building since his debut for Northland in 2016.the few opportunities he had for the chiefs last year were very impressive and from building piece he’s actually got better,fitness has never been an issue with Alaimalo and you do get a handle on what someone is all about when you meet him..very intelligent speaker and thinker who’s always willing to learn from people around him..that’s not bad for kid only in his 2nd season of super rugby..the other thing Solomon Alaimalo has going for him,can play wing and fullback equally well with a very good kick game and the first time I ever saw him club footy was at centre and he looked just as comfortable in the midfield.
On saying that ,it’s great we have so much cover in that position -
@steven-harris said in Exodus 2018:
And that would have been the perfect time to have tried Brad Shields in the 6 jersey as opposed to Vaia Fifita to experiment which provide mixed results.
Greater upside to Vaia. He's already learnt to catch to begin with.
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@antipodean I do agree that was’nt a criticism of Fifita,probably just needs more time especially when it’s been on the back of Kaino.
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@sammyc said in Exodus 2018:
Not a huge fan of Fifita starting at 6 in a test match. Plays too loose.
I’d like a trio of whitelock, Ioane and Cane
As a Canes fan I'm not a huge fan of Fifita in general. Gets the odd highlight when he makes a break but goes missing for large parts of the game even at SR level. I don't think he's physical enough, particularly on D, to be a quality 6 at test level.
Love to be proved wrong though.
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@machpants release from his contract all together or just a release for the Int. window?
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Long-serving Hurricanes captain Brad Shields has requested clearance to play Test rugby for England in June, forcing New Zealand Rugby officials to make a hurried ruling. A formal request from Shields landed on the desk of NZ Rugby chief executive Steve Tew on this morning. The RFU and England coach Eddie Jones have given no indication the 27-year-old will be selected for the three-Test series in South Africa.However, Shields' request suggests he is firmly in contention, leaving NZ Rugby with an unprecedented scenario to consider. Tew says NZ Rugby aren't obliged to release the uncapped blindside flanker, who has signed a contract with English club Wasps which begins after the Super Rugby season. Until then, Shields' current contract commits him purely to New Zealand Rugby, Tew said. However, seven seasons of service at the Hurricanes may count in the player's favour. "We're looking at it and considering the ramifications of releasing him to play for England in the middle of a competition that he's committed to," Tew said. "There's no point not acknowledging that Brad's been a very very good servant of the game for a long period of time. "He's asked for some dispensation and we'll give that serious consideration." Tew said NZ Rugby officials will make their ruling a priority in a goodwill gesture to Shields and English rugby. Media reports out of England overnight opined NZ Rugby would have no right to prevent Shields playing for England under World Rugby's Regulation 9. The regulation says the release of players for World Rugby Test windows takes primacy over territorial contracts. Tew says that is not the case for Shields. "The players that are subject to Regulation 9 are those that have opted out of being eligible for that country," he said. Tew noted a number of New Zealand-based Super Rugby players will be released for international duty with Tonga, Samoa and Fiji because they had signed the regulation agreement. Shields had not, he said. -
@stargazer said in Exodus 2018:
Tew said NZ Rugby officials will make their ruling a priority in a goodwill gesture to Shields and English rugby.
IMO, they should make this all about Shields, leave out any mention of England.
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@taniwharugby Agreed. 'Brad's been a very very good servant of the game in New Zealand for a long period of time. He's asked for some dispensation and having given that serious consideration we're happy to release him and wish him the best'.
That way it's about recognition of his service, which is the important precedent to set, NZR looks magnanimous and England get to shore up their dwindling stock of blindside flankers.
