Exodus 2017
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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.
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I wouldn't be that surprised to see Fekitoa take the money, to be honest. I'm betting he would've fancied his chances to get a starting spot after Nonu and Conrad left, yet he's still sitting on the bench or in the stands and SBW isn't even back yet.
Dagg I can't really see going though, not after he earned his way back into the team and the 14 jersey (which at this point, I wouldn't take away from him even when NMS is back).
But we'll see, hopefully they all re-sign.
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@Siam said in Exodus 2017:
I would have thought Lima might be a hot target.
Disgruntled or determined?
Not at all. Wait for Cruden to sign for Montpellier, and heh presto he is the AB bench 1st-five. He is still young and his later earning potential would be massively enhanced by more than a handful of mostly token AB caps. If Cruden doesn't sign, then put out another big season for the Highlanders, put pressure on Cruden, and there may be injuries too.
I'm finding it weird that everyone feels Fekitoa is flaky and won't be surprised if he signs off-shore, while an ageing Cruden, who is no longer the AB starting 10, and has been offered massive money from Montpellier is likely to be loyal and stay.
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Is there still a minimum number of test caps required to receive a visa for non-PI and European players?
If so, Lima might not meet that requirement with only 6 caps.
I think Cruden will go next year after the Lions series. He's got nothing left to accomplish in NZ with 1 RWC winners medal and 2 Super titles. And his coaching mentor is also leaving NZ.
Dagg and Ben Smith also have big decisions to make.
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@Billy-Tell said in Exodus 2017:
@Siam said in Exodus 2017:
I would have thought Lima might be a hot target.
Disgruntled or determined?
Not at all. Wait for Cruden to sign for Montpellier, and heh presto he is the AB bench 1st-five. He is still young and his later earning potential would be massively enhanced by more than a handful of mostly token AB caps. If Cruden doesn't sign, then put out another big season for the Highlanders, put pressure on Cruden, and there may be injuries too.
I'm finding it weird that everyone feels Fekitoa is flaky and won't be surprised if he signs off-shore, while an ageing Cruden, who is no longer the AB starting 10, and has been offered massive money from Montpellier is likely to be loyal and stay.
Sopoaga's still young but Cruden's ageing? There's only two years difference between the two FFS.
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Jeepers the Chiefs fans on the forum are very precious about Cruden.
I hope he stays. I won't be surprised if he goes. NZ rugby will survive without him if he does go. Might be a different matter for the Chiefs.
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@Billy-Tell At the very very strong risk of proving your first point, I argue your last one!
D-Mac may just be the perfect Super Level first 5.
