Exodus
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I see former Taniwha hooker Matt Moulds is on the bench for Gloucester this weekend...had been looking to return to NZ (I believe NRU even spoke to him early this year for this NPC season) after injury issues at Worcester, but has spent the past few months travelling around Europe, joined Gloucester in late September as injury cover.
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It was mentioned that Dylan Nel was playing his last game for Otago tonight, as was Aso for Wellington yesterday. Does that mean that the players who have signed for Japanese clubs have to leave NZ very soon unless they have negotiated to stay a little longer? Obviously the extended NPC as complicated matters for players and coaches.
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Gregor Paul is tipping DMac to stay overseas next year.
Gregor Paul: The ABs squeeze is coming - and there will be shock departures
Opinion: The pressure is squeezing on ABs and it might be surprising who gets left out.
I'm not surprised by that. He's unlikely to ever be a consistent starter again, and his only chance would be to usurp both Mo'unga and Barrett at 10. So, squaddie here or dollars there? He could still come home in 5 years and get his few caps to get to 100 for the Chiefs. I haven't expected to have him back since he signed.
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@gt12 Remember that DMac hasn't been to a RWC and that will be a huge carrot.
He might have a big fight on his hands to be the third 10/ 2nd or third FB option after a year away. He'd have to come back and force his way in during the year of the event. And, there is lots of quality coming through (Sullivan for example and perhaps Love) too.
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Frizzell would be the loose forward I would pick to leave. Maybe Jacobson with his history of injuries and concussions.
I wonder which props, other than Ta'avao?
Did he specify that it was a current AB or AB? I couldn't read the article.
I'd look at those who appear to have lost their spots, such as Hodgeman or those under pressure, such as Big Karl. Beyond that, former ABs such as Moli or .
If it is a current AB, apart from Ta'avao (the obvious choice), my feeling would be Ofa who doesn't appear to be preferred over Laulala - if that happened at Super level as well, then...
For the hookers, I'd say Coles or Harris or Coltman (depending on definition of current or former) would all be receiving offers and I wouldn't be surprised to see all of them overseas.
For loosies it could also be players like Evans, but I wonder whether Cane sees the writing on the wall and perhaps sees that the time to get his cash is now. He got fucked over at the last world cup and hasn't been guaranteed the captaincy, so looking forward you've have to wonder if he'll make 2023.
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Hodgeman
Can't understand why he wasn't ahead of Bower, KarlT, or especially de Groot. Had a good season and is a much better all round player than anyone except peak form Moody.
I (mostly) agree but can only assume that the coaches have some stats that we don’t see or just don’t trust his set piece work. He’s the sort of player I’d like to have in NZ but if you’ve been overtaken by Bower I’d say you may as well go overseas.
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Foster seems reasonably confident that DMac will sign a NZR contract after his Japanese sabbatical, like Tuipulotu has done.
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That's hopeful, at least. I'd like him back, only because at Super level he can be the difference maker for the Chiefs (assuming he comes back). If he ever learns to play within himself a bit more at 10 he probably has the ceiling to be a starting 10 for the ABs.
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@steven-harris Thought he was good against them in Townsville but yes, for the majority of his AB career, he hasn't fronted sadly, and yes, He certainly is a loss for the Blues more than anything.
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@african-monkey said in Exodus:
@steven-harris Thought he was good against them in Townsville but yes, for the majority of his AB career, he hasn't fronted sadly, and yes, He certainly is a loss for the Blues more than anything.
One game doesn’t make a career. But over a number of seasons, given his size and obvious athleticism, Patrick hasn’t put i enough performances of quality to demand a starting spot. A bit like Shannon Frizell. Nearly but ?
Damien McKenzie seems more like a 7s rugby player, playing 15s. His preference for running cross field makes it difficult for those supporting him. So while he can beat players, he really relies on broken field situations to be effective - and much more risky in tight games at test level.
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@kev looks to me that he plays much more to instructions for AB's now. He is more combative at the breakdown contests when in the vicinity but in contrast seeks to put others in position to take a gap more than taking defenders on himself. Bit like a league playmaker making the opposition defence have to cover more options.
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Jesse Parete has signed a 2-year deal with the New England Free Jacks (MLR).
Highlanders And Chiefs Loose Forward, Jesse Parete, Joins The Free Jacks On A Two Year Contract - New England Free Jacks
Dynamic New Zealand Forward joins the Free Jacks with valuable experience in Super Rugby, Top League, and New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship Boston, MA — September 30, 2021 — New […]
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I don't know him, but Chris Gabriel (Auckland Academy & U19?) has signed with Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi.
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I vaguley remember seeing it posted somewhere else, but to be sure, I'm posting it here:
Jacob Pierce has signed with Toshiba Brave Lupus.
Media release: https://www.bravelupus.com/news/211018_1/
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Jack Whetton has joined Castres as an injury replacement (joker médical).
https://castres-olympique.com/arrivee-de-jack-whetton-en-tant-que-joker-medical/
