Exodus 2016
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="572445" data-time="1460699105">
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<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">According to <a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.laprovence.com/actu/region-en-direct/3888958/rct.html" title="External link">this article</a> in the French paper La Provence, Toulon is interested in signing Luke Romano. He’s 30, so you couldn’t blame him for wanting to earn some Euros in France before he has to retire.</p>
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<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We knew a lot of players would be leaving after the RWC, and every year we lose a few, but somehow I still get annoyed when those European clubs go after our NZ players. </p>
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<p>Two sides of the same coin SG. I still get annoyed when overseas players come over here for the dosh and take places away from developing English players. But, this is now the norm, your guys are looking for a payday and our clubs are looking for instant success. Happy days for both parties, it's just a shame that this is possibly not conducive to the longer term development of your provincial rugby and our hopes for English (or French/Welsh/Irish/Scottish) rugby development.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="572445" data-time="1460699105">
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<p> </p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">According to <a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.laprovence.com/actu/region-en-direct/3888958/rct.html" title="External link">this article</a> in the French paper La Provence, Toulon is interested in signing Luke Romano. He’s 30, so you couldn’t blame him for wanting to earn some Euros in France before he has to retire.</p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We knew a lot of players would be leaving after the RWC, and every year we lose a few, but somehow I still get annoyed when those European clubs go after our NZ players. </p>
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<p>Wouldn't really have a problem with the likes of Romano going. Overseas signings are inevitable. Once a player knows he'll never make the ABs, or he's made the ABs but has fallen off the radar, or he is still an AB but at the end of an illustrious career, I don't mind too much. What annoys me are</p>
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<p>1) Celtic nations buying project players because they can't produce their own and they'd rather be made up of Kiwis than sitting lower down the world rankings</p>
<p>2) Piutau-type signings</p> -
<p>Excuse my ignorance William, but what is a Piutau-type signing?</p>
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A talented young kid on the verge of a long AB career chasing the money instead. The AB coaches invested a huge amount of time and effort into him.
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Anti-exodus 2016. <br><br>
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/79002645/All-Blacks-lock-Patrick-Tuipulotu-set-to-re-sign-with-NZ-rugby-for-four-years'>http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/79002645/All-Blacks-lock-Patrick-Tuipulotu-set-to-re-sign-with-NZ-rugby-for-four-years</a><br><br>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="571888" data-time="1460518200">
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<p>Agree with this. I think Saili 'carving up' Super Rugby at the time is a stretch. If I remember correctly he was actually relegated to the bench for the Blues at the time he was named for the All Blacks June series.</p>
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<p>He also wasn't hugely physical in contact and would go down quite easily, meaning that he was quite susceptible to being turned over/isolated, especially when his decision making wasn't always the greatest so he would often run it himself. Also defensively he wasn't the strongest. I remember on here at the time there was a bit of debate around Aki missing out to Saili. </p>
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<p>I just watched most of Connacht schooling Munster. Aki gave a MOTM performance, Saili wasn't bad, but not really in the same conversation. Yer man from the42.ie had this to say <em>"<span>For Connacht, the good times keep on rolling and they were once again led by the utterly outstanding Bundee Aki. The centre qualifies for Ireland in 2017 and on recent evidence, the IRFU must be preparing a new contract offer for when his current Connacht deal expires next year."</span></em></p>
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<p><span>Pat Lam is doing a pretty decent job with Connacht, of the Irish provinces they are certainly playing the most like what we know and love from NZ rugby sides, with lesser cattle to choose from.</span></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="572485" data-time="1460706888">
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<p>Two sides of the same coin SG. I still get annoyed when overseas players come over here for the dosh and take places away from developing English players. But, this is now the norm, your guys are looking for a payday and our clubs are looking for instant success. Happy days for both parties, it's just a shame that this is possibly not conducive to the longer term development of your provincial rugby and our hopes for English (or French/Welsh/Irish/Scottish) rugby development.</p>
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<p>Would be interesting to see a cross-code study done of the impacts of club/county imports on the strength of British national teams. There's been periods where rugby, football and cricket have allowed more/less imports - my perception is that overall, club-level imports have weakened national teams - perhaps by providing elite coaching to West Indian cricketers, Samoan rugby players and Brazilian footballers, which is then used against the Brits. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="572969" data-time="1460871692"><p>
I guess you're right then. We should probably question why Sopoaga wasn't selected in 2011 too, he's way better than Weepu and Donald in 2016.</p></blockquote>
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Oooh. You could cut diamonds with that sharp wit and sarcasm. -
<p>My next anti-Exodus 2016 post. This is fun and deeply satisfying all at once.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/79239464/all-blacks-lock-romano-declines-french-deal-and-set-to-stay-in-nz'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/79239464/all-blacks-lock-romano-declines-french-deal-and-set-to-stay-in-nz</a></p>
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<p>He'll have his work cut out what with Brodie & Sam, being, well, locks for the ABs (get it, ha ha), Tuipolotu likely to be retained more on potential than form at present, Barrett among others putting his hand up, and Hansen known to be on the look out for a 6/lock. I'm not complaining, though.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="573996" data-time="1461300290">
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<p>Is he definitely staying with the Crusaders?</p>
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<p>Well, no, like all men from the South he harbours secret desires of playing for the Blues...</p>
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<p>Reading the article, I'd say he's staying in NZ, though.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="572664" data-time="1460768312">
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<p>A talented young kid on the verge of a long AB career chasing the money instead. The AB coaches invested a huge amount of time and effort into him.</p>
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<p>Unfortunately, I think a fair bit more to it than simply the above. Offered a HUGE amount of money, and only one leg break away from losing all future earnings.</p>
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<p>Would make anybody think.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MajorRage" data-cid="574004" data-time="1461301394"><p>
Unfortunately, I think a fair bit more to it than simply the above. Offered a HUGE amount of money, and only one leg break away from losing all future earnings.<br><br>
Would make anybody think.</p></blockquote>
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The form was very poor though. Tell NZRU you are staying. Sign contract. Forget to pop down to the post office. Sign contract with Ulster. Inform NZRU you are leaving, no chance for a counter-offer. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="573996" data-time="1461300290"><p>
Is he definitely staying with the Crusaders?</p></blockquote>
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He will definitely be sataying down here. It's not mentioned in the article but his wife has a pretty successful personal training business. I know she was keen to stay in chch -
<p>Kurt Baker has signed with Zebre (Pro12)</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sevens/79633643/new-zealand-sevens-star-kurt-baker-announces-switch-to-italian-pro-12-side-zebre'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sevens/79633643/new-zealand-sevens-star-kurt-baker-announces-switch-to-italian-pro-12-side-zebre</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="576981" data-time="1462394219">
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<p>Kurt Baker has signed with Zebre (Pro12)</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sevens/79633643/new-zealand-sevens-star-kurt-baker-announces-switch-to-italian-pro-12-side-zebre'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sevens/79633643/new-zealand-sevens-star-kurt-baker-announces-switch-to-italian-pro-12-side-zebre</a></p>
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<p>He is one of those unlikable characters that you would like to run out on the field and kick in the nuts. Good for him.</p>
