Exodus 2016
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<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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</blockquote>
<p>He wasn't last year, and he may not be next season.</p>
<p> </p>
<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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</blockquote>
<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>
<p> </p>
<p>That's probably $600,000 more than the AB captains yearly salary.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Be concerned.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="579600" data-time="1463166986">
<div>
<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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</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<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>
<p> </p>
<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>
<p> </p>
<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">
<div>
<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>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Mixed week for Kurtley - signs a $1.6 million contract - then lasts 41 seconds for the 'tahs before he's stretchered off.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Looked quite serious. Hope he updated his insurance in the interim.</p> -
<p>Yeah, looked bad. Always hate seeing players being stretchered off. Don't think he'll bother the Crusaders next week. Not that they have anything to worry about the Tahs. This Tahs v Bulls game is awful. First try/points scored after 34 minutes. </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="579781" data-time="1463221437">
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<p>Yeah, looked bad. Always hate seeing players being stretchered off. Don't think he'll bother the Crusaders next week. Not that they have anything to worry about the Tahs. This Tahs v Bulls game is awful. First try/points scored after 34 minutes. </p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Hopefully not, but we need to be a bit wary of the 'tahs. Personnel-wise, I tend to think they're the strongest non-NZ team.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I see the 'tahs are expecting Beale is gone for the season - unfortunate way to end.</p> -
<p>Tweet from the Ta$man Mako$ account:<br>
</p>
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<p>80 match Mako$ #60 <span style="color:#548dd4;"><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://twitter.com/joey_wheelz'><span style="color:#548dd4;">@joey_wheelz</span></a></span> to join Suntory <span style="color:#548dd4;"><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://twitter.com/sungoliath'><span style="color:#548dd4;">@sungoliath</span></a></span> immediately after Super season. We wish you well. <span style="color:#548dd4;"><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://twitter.com/hashtag/makoslegend?src=hash'><span style="color:#548dd4;">#makoslegend</span></a></span> <span style="color:#548dd4;"><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://twitter.com/hashtag/FinsUp?src=hash'><span style="color:#548dd4;">#FinsUp</span></a></span></p>
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<p> </p>
<p><span style="color:#000000;">Not sure whether this means Joey Wheeler will also leave the Highlanders .. waiting for more news.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Edit: Apparently, Suntory have also signed George Smith, Christian Leali'ifano, Nigel Lam-Ah Wong and Solomon T-Pole for the 2016 Top League season.</p>