Exodus 2016

rotated

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="546149" data-time="1449235734">
Man, if Brock James (absolute mediocrity in the NPC) could be a major player in the Top 14 then it must be garbage. He is fucking shit. No athletic ability in the slightest. So slow. 
I tried to watch the Top 14 when I lived in France, and it was really shit. Slow, low skills, everyone off their feet at the ruck, terrible refereeing. Thoroughly shithouse.</blockquote>
 
I'd like to think though in true French style while the week to week is shit once it reaches the finals stage then it's all of a sudden world class.

Bones

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="546149" data-time="1449235734">
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Man, if Brock James (absolute mediocrity in the NPC) could be a major player in the Top 14 then it must be garbage. He is fucking shit. No athletic ability in the slightest. So slow.
 
I tried to watch the Top 14 when I lived in France, and it was really shit. Slow, low skills, everyone off their feet at the ruck, terrible refereeing. Thoroughly shithouse.
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Brock James was pretty bloody handy when he played NPC - the Hurricanes wanted to pick him up and he would've been a good signing, but they were blocked by NZRU I believe. Are you thinking of the right player? He definitely wasn't slow and had good attacking abilities (had previously played 7's for Oz, not a game for those that are so slow with no athletic ability).

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="546149" data-time="1449235734">
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Man, if Brock James (absolute mediocrity in the NPC) could be a major player in the Top 14 then it must be garbage. He is fucking shit. No athletic ability in the slightest. So slow.
 
I tried to watch the Top 14 when I lived in France, and it was really shit. Slow, low skills, everyone off their feet at the ruck, terrible refereeing. Thoroughly shithouse.
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I don't agree with you. I have been watching pretty much of the Top 14 the last few years, and Brock James has been playing well. Great kicking at times, intelligent player. Didn't get enough game time, in my opinion. Clermont fans are devastated that he's leaving, not happy at all!
 
I agree that the Top 14 is at a lower level than Super Rugby, but I wouldn't call it shit. They are very defense focused and I find the lack of attacking strategy remarkable. Seems to be more a question of game plan though. Quite boring compared to SR.

African Monkey

I quite enjoyed the Top 14 when it used to be on the rugby channel. As stargazer said, it's a bit more defense focused where they enjoy the set piece and look for any opportunity to put over a drop goal but I do love the crowd support they get.

Crash

i agree about the defence focus. Watched Coiln Slade's Pau stumble to a 15-15 draw last night with Dan Carter;s (not playing until next week) Ben Tameifuna's and Chris Masoe's Racing 92. Jeez what a slug fest. However the game was brightened by Argie winger Juan Imhoff looking hungry and pouncing on anything that came his way. BT was reduced to ruck-inspecting and Slade couldn;t find the spark, but Masoe played well for an old fulla. Looking forward to DC's debut next week against Northampton for Racing 92..

Billy Tell

Do we think Vito is going to stay or go? Think his contract is up at the end of 2016. More rumblings about a Top 14 move.

gollum

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="546600" data-time="1449590773">
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Do we think Vito is going to stay or go? Think his contract is up at the end of 2016. More rumblings about a Top 14 move.
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Tough call, both the guys in front of him are greats (Kaino, Read), but both feel like an injury away from retirement and VV is definatel;y the guy the selectors rate.
 
On the flip side he would be a superstar in France or the UK so on for HUGE money. The likes of Chris Masoe & Nathan Hughes are rates as 2 of the best 6/8's about & Vito is in the same mold as Masoe especially.
 
(for all those knee jerking, Masoe has probably been the best 8 in France for the last 4 years)

rotated

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="546600" data-time="1449590773">
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Do we think Vito is going to stay or go? Think his contract is up at the end of 2016. More rumblings about a Top 14 move.
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</blockquote>
 
Turns 29 this March, if he reups with the NZRU he is probably looking at a very different European contract in a couple of years than he is now. I just don't see the NZRU offering him even close to the same amount this time.
 
I'm honestly shocked given his contract, position in the side, age and talent he was one of the first highlighted for the Sevens campaign this year. Seems absolutely ideal.

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="546604" data-time="1449599845">
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Turns 29 this March, if he reups with the NZRU he is probably looking at a very different European contract in a couple of years than he is now. I just don't see the NZRU offering him even close to the same amount this time.
 
I'm honestly shocked given his contract, position in the side, age and talent he was one of the first highlighted for the Sevens campaign this year. Seems absolutely ideal.
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Vito has never been a regular starting AB and I don't see that changing. He's better to cash up now. I thought he would have been a good choice as the Canes captain so perhaps Boyd already knows his decision and wants some continuity.
 
As to the sevens, Vito turned Tietjens down - a shame. He could have done what Messam has done, i.e., a 2 yr contract in Japan with a provision to return for the sevens campaign.

Billy Tell

Well I see the Herald (G.Paul) are saying Vito, Dagg & Jane are the ones looking overseas. IMO
 
1) Jane finished as an AB - 32, not getting any younger or faster, don't think he'll wear black again
2) Dagg. IMO potentially stull has something to offer. An entirely injury free 2016 to reassess. Would hope he would stick around until 2017. Only 27.
3) Vito, like everyone else he strikes me as a permanent fringe player. Not better than Read so won't take 8 (especially as Read likely to captain), and not physical enough to replace Kaino at 6. Plus exciting options coming thru. Useful to have in NZ, but not crippling if he leaves.
 
NB: I think Jane & Dagg are singed thru 2017, so they would need NZRFU dispensation. I reckon Jane would get it, but not sure about Dagg.

rotated

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="546796" data-time="1449684818">
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2) Dagg. IMO potentially stull has something to offer. An entirely injury free 2016 to reassess. Would hope he would stick around until 2017. Only 27.
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By All Blacks standards he is pretty much done, it's a young mans game. If you are a member of the back-three and rely on pace, power, speed or step and you manage more than 6 years as a first choice AB or make it past age 28 in the pro era you are doing bloody well.
 
Almost every star not matter how bright had the wheels fall off right around that 28 year mark. Mils is the only notable example, but he fell off a couple of years later - maybe we just don't count the years spent at centre under rotation.
 
More "safe" wing options like Jane and Ben Smith who relied more on the high ball, support play and defense seem to be able to string it out a little longer, but they usually start a bit older too.
 
I'd almost bet my house given the trent that Savea doesn't make the next RWC squad at 29 - and you'd probably get good odds on it too at the moment.

tubbyj

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="546152" data-time="1449236880">
<div>
Brock James was pretty bloody handy when he played NPC - the Hurricanes wanted to pick him up and he would've been a good signing, but they were blocked by NZRU I believe. Are you thinking of the right player? He definitely wasn't slow and had good attacking abilities (had previously played 7's for Oz, not a game for those that are so slow with no athletic ability).
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</blockquote>
 
Agree don't know where Tim is getting that opinion from Brock James looked bloody good in the NPC and the Hurricanes their was genuine optimism that the canes might have a decent 10 that season until the NZRU blocked him worried they would be doing the Wallabies a favour.

Tim

Jamie Mackintosh has joined French club Montpellier as injury cover. 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/75023333/Southland-prop-Jamie-Mackintosh-joins-French-club-Montpellier'>http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/75023333/Southland-prop-Jamie-Mackintosh-joins-French-club-Montpellier</a>

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="547312" data-time="1449890655">
<div>
Jamie Mackintosh has joined French club Montpellier as injury cover. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/75023333/Southland-prop-Jamie-Mackintosh-joins-French-club-Montpellier'>http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/75023333/Southland-prop-Jamie-Mackintosh-joins-French-club-Montpellier</a>
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</blockquote>
 
Apparently, he already played for Montpellier last night in their European Challenge Cup game v Cardiff Blues, which Cardiff won 37 - 27. Jarrad Hoeata posted this photo on Twitter after the game:
 
<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CV-1s02W4AQXrNY.jpg" alt="CV-1s02W4AQXrNY.jpg">
 
Edited to add that Mackintosh scored a try in this game!

nostrildamus

Strange to see W G Grace still out on the field but not cricket.

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nostrildamus" data-cid="547403" data-time="1449977342">
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Strange to see W G Grace still out on the field but not cricket.
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Brian Blessed. :)
 
So Hoeata is still wearing a Naki jersey. Strange for Cardiff to have those colours as an alternative strip.

nostrildamus

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="547412" data-time="1449984342">
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Brian Blessed. :)
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Now you mention it he does have a similar chest pout..

gollum

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="546809" data-time="1449691992">
<div>
By All Blacks standards he is pretty much done, it's a young mans game. If you are a member of the back-three and rely on pace, power, speed or step and you manage more than 6 years as a first choice AB or make it past age 28 in the pro era you are doing bloody well.
 
Almost every star not matter how bright had the wheels fall off right around that 28 year mark. Mils is the only notable example, but he fell off a couple of years later - maybe we just don't count the years spent at centre under rotation.
 
More "safe" wing options like Jane and Ben Smith who relied more on the high ball, support play and defense seem to be able to string it out a little longer, but they usually start a bit older too.
 
I'd almost bet my house given the trent that Savea doesn't make the next RWC squad at 29 - and you'd probably get good odds on it too at the moment.
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</blockquote>
 
Given Dagg was prominant for most of his career for his positional play, distribution, work under the high ball & his boot I think the pace issue is less of a problem. Actually think with Nonu gone a second diostributor becomes more of an issue for the AB's next year. Games we played this year without Nonu our distribution was a bit limited, and while Fekitoa has a lot of skills, good distribtion isn't one of them.
 
I don't expect Dagg to be named up front, but I think he'll be in the mix. Still wouldn't put it past them to look again at Ben Smith (29) at centre

sparky

Toulon and Toulouse are offering big, big money to sign Beauden Barrett when his contract ends in 2016.

Crash

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="548915" data-time="1450772023">
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Toulon and Toulouse are offering big, big money to sign Beauden Barrett when his contract ends in 2016.
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Fark that shits me.
Why don't the farkin French clubs go find their own talent??
Honest to god, I watched Toulon's return fixture against Leinster, apart from playing as if they didn't know each other, (and pretty pedestrian at that) think I counted 3 Frenchmen in the run-on side.
Same for Racing, same for SF, and Oyonnax and most other top 14 French teams. I honestly hope this doesn't spill over to Super rugby, else we'll all be in the shite.

The Silver Fern

Exodus 2016