Exodus 2017
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This is good news if comes to pass.
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@Billy-Tell said in Exodus 2017:
Players off contract in 2017:
Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock, Owen Franks, Cory Jane, Israel Dagg, Aaron Cruden, Ben Smith, Charlie Faumuina, Sam Cane, Steven Luatua, Malakai Fekitoa, Hikawera Elliot, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, James Broadhurst, Tawera Kerr Barlow, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo, Brad Weber, Charlie Ngatai and Ryan Crotty
Who do we really not want to lose, thinking ahead to 2019...?
I think it's likely that Jane, Elliot and Broadhurst will cash in elsewhere.
Of those that I think we could lose without too much angst I would nominate Dagg, Luatua, Fekitoa, Ngatai (only because we are doing without him already). Weber wouldn't be a massive loss either.
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Lolagi Visinia to Grenoble
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Where's the dislike button?
Machine translation:
Lolagi Visinia has signed for two seasons with the FCG
Lolagi Visinia will join Grenoble next season for two years. International U20 and 7, Lolagi Visinia can play with the wing, the middle and the rear. Powerful (1.92m, 101kg), the 23-year-old New Zealander played for Auckland in Miter 10 Cup and for the Blues in Super Rugby and will experience in Isère his first experience in Europe.
Bernard Jackman presents it as "one of the brightest utility backs of New Zealand. He has been playing for Auckland and the Auckland Blues since he was 18 years old. And despite his young age he already has a lot of experience. It can play the wing and the rear but also second center with a big power at the impact. His game at the foot is also very interesting. He refused an offer from the Crusaders to come to the FCG and discover the Top14, so it's a real pleasure for us to welcome him. "
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@Tim Maybe I'm reading too much in it, but if he has signed with Grenoble for next season, then the Crusaders wanted him for more than a year, or not at all. If they would have agreed to a one year contract, he could have accepted that and then after the season leave for Grenoble? Unless they offered only a WTG spot.
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Not a major loss. Never really reached the heights clearly overtaken by Nanai.
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Leinster targetting Dagg apparently.
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@Billy-Tell said in Exodus 2017:
Leinster targetting Dagg apparently.
Hmmm, the way he's going now, having worked so hard to get back in that black jersey, I can't see Dagg leaving after the 2017 season. It would be different if he had a crystal ball saying he won't make the squad for the Lions tour, but lacking that ...
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@Billy-Tell Thats surprising. As he's one of the ones being slandered for a high tackle which should have been red-carded etc ...
Thought that sort of stuff wasn't condoned.
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According to the latest edition of Midi-Olympique (Midol), both Dagg and Fekitoa have met with Toulon owner Boudjellal. Midol claims that Toulon has already made an offer to Dagg, but faces competition from Bordeaux and Toulouse. No offer has been made to Fekitoa, as they will first consider the future of Nonu (Bristol is - according to Midol - interested in signing Nonu) and Maxime Mermoz at the club.
The same paper says that Montpellier has used the presence of Cruden in Paris to finalise his contract. La Rochelle is also interested in Cruden, but doesn't have the finances to match Montpellier's offer. The paper says the value of the contract is between 700,000 and 1 million Euro per season.
Finally, Section Paloise (Pau) is interested in Ben Smith, but only initial contacts have been made, nothing more.
An anonymous Top 14 chairman told Midol he refused to start talks with players just to enter a game of "overbidding", suggesting that with one exception, he's convinced that all of them will eventually re-sign with NZR.
It's all rumours of course, but if there's any truth in what Midol writes, who is the exception? Cruden?
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The Cruden thing doesn't quite ring true. I think Cruds is an honest enough bloke that he would have given Shag a heads up instead of playing silly buggers (unless he honestly told him no decision had been made and the offer was made after the game and was too big to refuse).
I can see Fekitoa taking the money. Way too much movement in the AB midfield to come. Also has a likely desire to go for as much money as he can to repay his family. Wouldn't blame him at all.
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@Crucial said in Exodus 2017:
The Cruden thing doesn't quite ring true. I think Cruds is an honest enough bloke that he would have given Shag a heads up instead of playing silly buggers (unless he honestly told him no decision had been made and the offer was made after the game and was too big to refuse).
I can see Fekitoa taking the money. Way too much movement in the AB midfield to come. Also has a likely desire to go for as much money as he can to repay his family. Wouldn't blame him at all.
Disagree. Reckon Cruden much more likely to go than Fekitoa. Cruden is late 20s, stuck behind Barrett, with Sopoaga and Mounga hot on his heels. Does he really think he'll be starting 10 in 2019??
Fekitoa is a baby All Black, I'd be genuinely surprised to see him go unless offered ridiculous money.
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@Billy-Tell Mounga hot on his heels? Seriously? He has had one good season of second tier competition.
He may get there but I'd hardly think Cruden is waking in a cold sweat thinking about him.
A lot will depend on what Shag and Co have spoken to Cruden about how he fits into their plans. Remember he probably has unfinished goals after his injuries. One injury to BB and he is back at first choice. -
@Crucial said in Exodus 2017:
@Billy-Tell Mounga hot on his heels? Seriously? He has had one good season of second tier competition.
He may get there but I'd hardly think Cruden is waking in a cold sweat thinking about him.
A lot will depend on what Shag and Co have spoken to Cruden about how he fits into their plans. Remember he probably has unfinished goals after his injuries. One injury to BB and he is back at first choice.You're making a lot of assumptions there about the way players think and feel. Unless you know Cruden or Fekitoa personally, I'm not sure where you are plucking these ideas from.
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@Crucial Mo'unga has now had two great seasons in NPC and his first season of SR was surprisingly good as well. I think he has more chance of wearing the black 10 jersey than DMac, but don't think he's a threat to Cruden or Sopoaga yet. It will be interesting to see how he goes in his second year. If he has a good season, he may claim Dmac's spot in the squad, not Cruds', especially with Jordie there to cover fullback.
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I don't think it'd renmotely be surprising to see Cruden go given the size of cash on offer. Wilkenson & Carter have shown the value of the superstar 10 in France (so long as you ignore Quade & co showing the flipside), its why so many teams were waving huge cash at George Ford, who is basically the Brit Cruden, without the track record.
I'd be more shocked to see Fekitoa go given I can't believe he is being offered life changing amounts. While Dagg surely has already signed something that kicks in the second the Lions are gone.
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@gollum said in Exodus 2017:
I don't think it'd renmotely be surprising to see Cruden go given the size of cash on offer. Wilkenson & Carter have shown the value of the superstar 10 in France (so long as you ignore Quade & co showing the flipside), its why so many teams were waving huge cash at George Ford, who is basically the Brit Cruden, without the track record.
I'd be more shocked to see Fekitoa go given I can't believe he is being offered life changing amounts. While Dagg surely has already signed something that kicks in the second the Lions are gone.
I also don't think it would be surprising for Cruden to go. I just think the story posted that he signed up while on tour is wrong.
Lolagi Visinia au FCG la saison prochaine
