Exodus 2018

Rapido

@rapido said in Exodus 2018:

Re: the Shields poach. It will be quite interesting either way it goes.

I really think Eddie Jones has awful man-management abilities.

He's:

embarassing Shields by talk of parachuting him in so early above encumbents and fringe payers.

Creating a potential rift between Shields and his future teammates competing for his position.

He's alienated those same fringe players from trusting in the coaching staff.

He's embarassing his CEO, who last year went public about getting IRB help to stop celtic countries poaching RFU academey 'products' etc

He's potentially embarassing his CEO even further if it all comes to nought if the NZRU a. dig their heals in and b. the section 9.38 actually holds water. Public embrassment and political capital expended.

Quoting myself ......

Way back, I made this post about Eddie's man-management abilities.

I kind of equate him with Richard Hadlee and Glenn Turner when they had any posts in NZ Cricket that required them to understand how 'normal' human being's minds worked.

In particular the bolded part about creating a rift about Shields, a foreigner, just outside waltzing in. Thinking how awkward it might be once the first loose-forward injury replacement joins the squad. Well, that already happened after Eddie's training sessions.

Nathan Hughes joined the squad.

From what I've read the unlucky ones now after Hughes were Dan Armand and Jono Ross. A Zim-born Saffa and a Saffa.

So the 'slighted parties' from Brad's rapid elevation are a Fijian, and 2 Saffas. So, actually I think they won't resent Brad that much. There will be an understanding.

Edit:
Upon further though: Although I suppose the tension might come of Shield's is elevated above others into the starting 15. Actuially, yeah, I still think Eddie's a bit mad.

Edit, Edit: ....
But, then, surely he won't go into the starting XV? He's been playing for the Hurricanes while the rest of England have been in camp for 2 weeks, he'll be way behind the eight ball.

antipodean

@rapido For all that, the bit that confuses me the most is what does Shields bring that England are missing?

canefan

@antipodean said in Exodus 2018:

@rapido For all that, the bit that confuses me the most is what does Shields bring that England are missing?

Mini aura by association?

Rapido

@antipodean said in Exodus 2018:

@rapido For all that, the bit that confuses me the most is what does Shields bring that England are missing?

Well, that comes under the "Eddie's a bit mad".

Derm McCrum

@antipodean said in Exodus 2018:

@rapido For all that, the bit that confuses me the most is what does Shields bring that England are missing?

a) love of a sheep
b) uproarious sing-songs
c) sense of humour
d) empty bank account
e) English-born parents
f) another winning Kiwi captain
g) Someone who can understand EJ’s accent
h) love of another sheep
i) someone who isn’t knackered by the Premiership before playing test rugby
j) someone who’s played with an actual RWC winner...

Rapido

I read somewhere yesterday that both Jason Woodward and Brad Shields played for the same junior club. Not sure which? Need input from one of our Hutt Valley specialists.

Shields was a Stoke Valley boy who played prem for Petone, Jason Woodward played prem for Upper Hutt.

Bones

@rapido must be Vegas.

Toddy

@bones I think Shields, Kainga and Woodward all went to the same school in Stokes Valley (Tui Glen). Cory Jane also played for Stokes until he was poached by Upper Hutt.

Bones

@toddy should've said to ask you! Anytime Snakes Gulley is mentioned it always brings back pleasant memories of the one armed prop.

MN5

@bones said in Exodus 2018:

@toddy should've said to ask you! Anytime Snakes Gulley is mentioned it always brings back pleasant memories of the one armed prop.

I've heard of one armed drummers in shitty 80s bands but a one armed prop? Tell me more...

Paekakboyz

@bones I've played against him. Even got punched in the head by his good arm... I'll get my coat

MN5

@paekakboyz said in Exodus 2018:

@bones I've played against him. Even got punched in the head by his good arm... I'll get my coat

Sounds more like a bad arm to me

Snowy

@antipodean said in Exodus 2018:

@rapido For all that, the bit that confuses me the most is what does Shields bring that England are missing?

Toasters?

Bones

@mn5 @Paekakboyz I've mentioned it a few times before, broken record but... the pleasant memory is of the first scrum and the ref calling them to engage, our prop yelling "he's not binding ref!". Pure gold.

MN5

@bones said in Exodus 2018:

@mn5 @Paekakboyz I've mentioned it a few times before, broken record but... the pleasant memory is of the first scrum and the ref calling them to engage, our prop yelling "he's not binding ref!". Pure gold.

Can you tell me that story over a beer this Sundee? You can shout....