Exodus 2016
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="579116" data-time="1463046957">
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<p>JGP probably becomes the 2nd best half-back in Ireland overnight...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Expect a green jersey in 3 years time.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>I sincerely hope not. Hopefully, he's another Gerhard van den Heever. Another supposed "project player" brought in to get around the NIQ restrictions who is exiting Munster after his contract has run out this season and is not being renewed. Meanwhile, if James Hart could be brought back from Grenoble, he's a much better and Irish scrummie prospect than Gibson-Park. His Irish coach, Bernard Jackman, might encourage him. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Bundee Aki will hopefully have to join a queue including Henshaw, McCloskey, Scannell, Ringrose, Olding, Cave, and Reid being considered ahead of him. Thankfully, Ben Te'o didn't want to wait around another year, and has headed from Leinster to Worcester Warriors to....ahem,,, further his career (play for England through parentage).</p>
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<p>Unfortunately, Stander seems here to stay, and is, admittedly, quite handy.</p>
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<p>Nathan White hasn't been selected for SA tour and is nearing the retirement exit door anyway. Unfortunately, Quinn Roux, rejected by Leinster after a one-year contract, now playing out of his skin for Connacht, has been included in the 44-man training squad for SA. Hopefully, he doesn't make the grade.</p>
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<p>Jake Heenan is a permanent injury case, and there are much better, more experienced backrowers ahead of him.</p>
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<p>Rodney Ah you just isn't good enough, as he moves north to Ulster next season. Neither is Michael Bent who qualifies through parentage admittedly.</p>
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<p>I see that Agustin Pichot, having taken the No 2 job at World Rugby, is making noises about changing residency rules to 5 years - although he thinks ideally it should be for life. Wonder how far he'll get with that outlook.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Pot Hale" data-cid="579165" data-time="1463067463"><p>
Bundee Aki will hopefully have to join a queue including Henshaw, McCloskey, Scannell, Ringrose, Olding, Cave, and Reid being considered ahead of him.</p></blockquote>
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Lol. Aki was Pro12 player of the year and Connacht player of the year. There ain't no queue. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="579185" data-time="1463087030">
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<p>Lol. Aki was Pro12 player of the year and Connacht player of the year. There ain't no queue.</p>
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<p>He wasn't last year, and he may not be next season.</p>
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<p>Let's wait and see. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="579177" data-time="1463081240">
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<p>Marty Banks of to Treviso</p>
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<p>Treviso eh? Kinky. The lad obviously enjoys a good paddlin'.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="579177" data-time="1463081240"><p>Marty Banks of to Treviso</p></blockquote>
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Sumo won't be happy -
<p>Beale for NZ$1.6M a season.</p>
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<p>That's probably $600,000 more than the AB captains yearly salary.</p>
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<p>Be concerned.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="579600" data-time="1463166986">
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<p>Beale for NZ$1.6M a season.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>That's probably $600,000 more than the AB captains yearly salary.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Be concerned.</p>
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<p>It's big money but as long as the AB set up is well run I still fancy we hold on to 90% of the established guys we want to. It's the young guys going early before they are established eroding our depth which is more the issue.</p>
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<p>Most of the guys who go for the money and leave their AB jersey prematurely usually perform poorly up there too. Mindset is a huge factor (not including guys who had their path blocked like Evans etc)</p> -
Marty Banks is leaving the Highlanders for some team in Italy. I'm absolutely gutted.
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<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/79977891/highlanders-pivot-marty-banks-signs-deal-with-italian-side-bennetton-for-next-season'>http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/79977891/highlanders-pivot-marty-banks-signs-deal-with-italian-side-bennetton-for-next-season</a>
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<p>I am hearing rumours Banks is off to some Italian club. Anyone know if this is true...?</p>
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<p>Okay, because some people still don't believe Marty Banks is off to Treviso later in the year, here is the official announcement from Treviso. In Italian. Copy and paste in google translate and you'll understand enough of it. </p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.benettonrugby.it/novita.aspx?idC=3998'>http://www.benettonrugby.it/novita.aspx?idC=3998</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="579600" data-time="1463166986">
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<p>Beale for NZ$1.6M a season.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>That's probably $600,000 more than the AB captains yearly salary.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Be concerned.</p>
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<p>Mixed week for Kurtley - signs a $1.6 million contract - then lasts 41 seconds for the 'tahs before he's stretchered off.</p>
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<p>Looked quite serious. Hope he updated his insurance in the interim.</p>