Exodus 2016
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="547412" data-time="1449984342">
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<p>Brian Blessed. :)</p>
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<p>Now you mention it he does have a similar chest pout..</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="546809" data-time="1449691992">
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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 </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="548915" data-time="1450772023">
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<p>Toulon and Toulouse are offering big, big money to sign Beauden Barrett when his contract ends in 2016.</p>
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<p>Fark that shits me.</p>
<p>Why don't the farkin French clubs go find their own talent??</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p> -
<p>Vito definitely going offshore my sources tell me although they didn't mention which club he was going to.</p>
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<p>Makes sense, I think he would have been Hurricanes captain over Coles if he had committed to stay in town.</p>
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<p>Not convinced Jane will go offshore based on local UH intelligence.</p> -
Daniel Bowden going back to Bath: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35187141'>http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35187141</a>
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NZ needs to divvy up its halves better IMO. Blues & Crusaders have mediocre 10s, meanwhile canes have Barrett & black, Chiefs have cruden & McKenzie not to mention their 3 decent 9s.
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Nah it isn't the NZRU's job to future profs franchises. It's the local organisations job to make sure they have good plans, if that fails then it's their fault.
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<p>@SouthernMan</p>
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<p>I'm probably just depressed when I see the Crusaders' halves for 2016: Drummond, Ellis, McKenzie (the less talented one), Mo'unga (who?), Volavola</p>
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<p>...as gentle and uninspiring as Blackadder at interview time.</p>
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<p>I sense a long season of mediocrity. Probably end up supporting the Canes in their bid to break their duck - might come down to whether they can beat World Rugby's 5th ranked team in the final...</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="550020" data-time="1451512887">
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<p>Mitchell Hunt looks good for the future though.</p>
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<p>I hope so. Living outside NZ, I don't really follow rugby too much below SXV level, and according to Wikipedia Super Rugby transfers, he is listed as a fullback. But I see on his Wiki profile he is also listed as a 10.</p> -
<p>Yep agreed on Moóunga - he showed real improvement in the ITM Cup last year from the year prior. He looks the best bet. Drummond at halfback developed nicely over the year as well - he had a cracking game for the NZ Barbarians v the Maori in the middle of the year.</p>
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<p>As for the Blues - this really seems like West's last shot - he may go better with some better coaches involved (Umaga, Feeney) and he finished this year on a high in the ITM Cup Championship final for the Magpies. McGahan looks more comfortable at fullback and Francis quite frankly doesn't look up to this level - he seems to be taking the 'Simon Hickey' spot. Given Umaga's comments and his willingness to pick youngsters I wouldn't be surprised to see the likes of Wiseguy Faiane and/or possibly DÃngelo Leuila in the Blues 10 setup from 2017 moving forward. At halfback they have some nice talent with the highly rated Sam Nock and Bryn Hall who was the Blues best halfback in 2014 before missing 2015 with injury. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="546152" data-time="1449236880">
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<p>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).</p>
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<p>Agree. He was good. I was pissed that the NZRU said no</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="550052" data-time="1451521818">
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<p>Yep agreed on Moóunga - he showed real improvement in the ITM Cup last year from the year prior. He looks the best bet. Drummond at halfback developed nicely over the year as well - he had a cracking game for the NZ Barbarians v the Maori in the middle of the year.</p>
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<p>As for the Blues - this really seems like West's last shot - he may go better with some better coaches involved (Umaga, Feeney) and he finished this year on a high in the ITM Cup Championship final for the Magpies. McGahan looks more comfortable at fullback and Francis quite frankly doesn't look up to this level - he seems to be taking the 'Simon Hickey' spot. Given Umaga's comments and his willingness to pick youngsters I wouldn't be surprised to see the likes of Wiseguy Faiane and/or possibly DÃngelo Leuila in the Blues 10 setup from 2017 moving forward. At halfback they have some nice talent with the highly rated Sam Nock and Bryn Hall who was the Blues best halfback in 2014 before missing 2015 with injury. </p>
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<p>West is not even close to being good enough at this level.</p>
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<p>McKenzie junior is the one I would try for if coaching the Blues</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Winger" data-cid="550054" data-time="1451522185">
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<p>West is not even close to being good enough at this level.</p>
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<p>McKenzie junior is the one I would try for if coaching the Blues</p>
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<p>I get that sense as well but it seems like they see enough talent there to give it one last shot. He wasn't particularly helped by having Cowan inside him last season. Feeney showed with Auckland he has the ability to run a good attack. West's goal kicking is certainly good enough!</p>
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<p>Yes D Mackenzie certainly has shown the willingness to move areas for opportunities - perhaps the Blues will be come a more desirable location in 2017 if Umaga can give the franchise some stability/a platform.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SouthernMan" data-cid="549994" data-time="1451469884">
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<p>Nah it isn't the NZRU's job to future profs franchises. It's the local organisations job to make sure they have good plans, if that fails then it's their fault.</p>
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<p>I think that is short sighted, the NZRU fund the salaries of the Super teams and so should want to have a say in how their investment is run.</p>
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<p>We don't want to get into situations again where Mark Robinson misses out on a Super spot because each region was only wanting to hold on to their players and not pick the best players in the country.</p>
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<p>Also, and I say this as a fan of the team and the coach, it's ultra stupid for the Chiefs to have 3 AB halfbacks (or 3 of their quality if you want to denigrate their AB status).</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Winger" data-cid="550054" data-time="1451522185">
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<p><strong>West is not even close to being good enough at this level.</strong></p>
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<p>McKenzie junior is the one I would try for if coaching the Blues</p>
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<p>So your love affair with HB inside backs is over? Sweet.</p>
