Exodus 2016
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="560805" data-time="1456402492">
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<p>Cruden would be much less in demand than Barrett in Europe. A specialist 10 with a short kicking range hitting about 70% accuracy compared to a guy who can win matches in the last 20 with his speed etc and covers 10 and 15. Ok not such a great goal kicker either.</p>
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<p>Well that is bonkers if it is truly the case, and I'm not sure it actually is. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="560856" data-time="1456439957">
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<p>Well that is bonkers if it is truly the case, and I'm not sure it actually is. </p>
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<p>I really do think it is the case. Barrett is a genuine star in Europe. The number of high profile games where he has scored important tries in the last 20 minutes, not least the RWC final. Maybe some of our non-Kiwi people can comment: your club has free choice of Barrett or Cruden, who would you choose and who do you think most of your fans would choose?</p>
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<p>From knowing a fair number of Irish folk, it would definitely be Barrett.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="560871" data-time="1456443360">
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<p>I'd want a 1st 5 who has demonstrated he can lead his team around the park and win titles. </p>
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<p>Barrett's impact would be similar to Evans at a UK club.</p>
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<p>Sounds like it's Cruden for you.</p>
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<p>Evans has become a complete legend at Quins is my understanding, not that I follow English club rugby very closely.</p>
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<p>FWIW, I think Cruden <strong>IS</strong> the better 1st five.</p>
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<p>But I think European clubs would pay more for the Barrett package, he's more marketable off the field too I would imagine.</p> -
<p>Totally off-topic and a bit left field, but I remember when BB first hit the scene. I kept waiting for the commentator to say his first name. Joe Beauden-Barrett for example.</p>
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<p>Finally the penny dropped...</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="560871" data-time="1456443360"><p>I'd want a 1st 5 who has demonstrated he can lead his team around the park and win titles. <br><br>
Barrett's impact would be similar to Evans at a UK club.</p></blockquote>
That's pro Barrett then right? Evans is a legend in Euro rugby. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="561112" data-time="1456475958">
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<p>That's pro Barrett then right?</p>
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<p>No, quite the opposite. </p>
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<p>Evans is a legend in Euro rugby.</p>
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<p>Yes, but apart from one Aviva what have Quins won? Like Barrett, he's a very good player but is style over substance. </p>
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<p>While I think Barrett would be more valuable to a club due to his versatility, if I wanted a 1st 5 who offered me the best chance of winning I'd choose Cruden.</p> -
<p>Fonotia is off to the Ospreys after the ITM Cup season</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/77366361/crusader-fonotia-signs-with-ospreys'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/77366361/crusader-fonotia-signs-with-ospreys</a></p> -
<p>And here's the official news from the Ospreys about the Fonotia signing:</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.ospreysrugby.com/News/Article/44206'>http://www.ospreysrugby.com/News/Article/44206</a></p>
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<p>Edit: I didn't realise he's already 28!</p> -
A good signing for Ospreys and the Crusaders.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="561227" data-time="1456520344">
<div><br><p>Yes, but apart from one Aviva what have Quins won? Like Barrett, he's a very good player but is style over substance. </p>
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<p>While I think Barrett would be more valuable to a club due to his versatility, if I wanted a 1st 5 who offered me the best chance of winning I'd choose Cruden.</p>
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<p>With Evans its more he has often stopped Quins getting reamed, made them a mid table team rather than relegation fodder. He's been consistently outstanding, but surrounded by some very shithouse players. I mean the shining lights of that backline are Winston Stanley & Marland Yarde FFS...</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="561112" data-time="1456475958">
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<p>That's pro Barrett then right? Evans is a legend in Euro rugby.</p>
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<p>Looks to be getting into the coaching game now. Starting at the grassroots with Wimbledon as backs coach while finishing out his playing contract at Quins</p> -
<a class="bbc_url" href="http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11604578">Wayne Smith set to re-sign with New Zealand Rugby</a>
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<p>Maybe won't be a loss given that both young hookers at the Canes seem to be going ok, especially Riccitelli who looked pretty good in his debut performance off the bench last week. Still remains to be seen if they can carry on performing at the higher level week in and week out, particularly when they come up against the highly rated/better performed forward packs.</p>
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<p>You really can't blame him for looking for what must be better financial rewards offshore when reality indicates that it will be sooner rather than later that he would be usurped by the young chargers currently snapping at his heels.</p>
