Exodus 2017
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@Stargazer said in Exodus 2017:
Whetu Douglas off to Treviso!
It's a pity Whetu Douglas had to farewell the Crusaders in such strange circumstances. Just over a week ago Crusaders coach Scott Robertson stated No 8 Douglas was going to remain in Christchurch for another six weeks, having been granted permission to remain as injury cover for wounded loosies Jed Brown and Mitchell Dunshea. (...) Now we have learned his days with the Crusaders are numbered. He is off to join Italian club Treviso, who are coached by former All Blacks fullback Kieran Crowley. Crowley and Treviso are the big winners in this. They signed Douglas on the back of his efforts with Waikato and the NZ Maori sides last year, something that wasn't made public until recently. And despite the Crusaders' best efforts to arrange for him to stay they couldn't come to terms with Treviso. "Whetu had signed a contract with Treviso before he came down to the Crusaders and we were hoping to have him for the whole season," Robertson said. "Now he has to, in simple terms, honour that contract. He left us this week with a lot of disappointment on and off the field. Everyone knows, and he will say it, he exceeded expectations."He would have loved to have stayed. But that is just the way it worked out." You cannot blame Treviso for sticking to their guns. Without being privy to the contract details it is difficult to know how much leverage Douglas had in terms of extending his stay with the Crusaders, but a deal is a deal. Given Crowley thought he had secured Highlanders first five-eighth Marty Banks late last year, but is now watching him play for the Dunedin club from afar, he may have vowed to ensure Douglas didn't slip from his clutches. Robertson indicated the Crusaders hoped Treviso would allow Douglas to delay his departure from New Zealand. Now he has been packing his bags and preparing to shift his whanau to Italy. Ta$man's Ethan Blackadder, the son of former coach Todd Blackadder, briefly joined the squad as injury cover this week after impressing with his robust efforts for the Nelson club this year.Damn you, Marty Bloody Banks!
Bugger!
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@Stargazer said in Exodus 2017:
Treviso is getting two very motivated Kiwis. Both Douglas and Banks don't want to go, but Douglas has to go now and Banks after the SR season ends.
It's their own fckn fault. Think twice before throwing your rugby career away for a touch more dosh.
Banks could start for the Blues, such is their paucity of 10 options, and Douglas has been a real find.
Ah well.
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@Billy-Tell completely agree. The problem nowadays is players are too quick to head off once they miss a super rugby spot. With larger squads and injuries there is always opportunities arising. Banks could have got regular game time at the Blues and pushed for higher honours with Cruden leaving
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@Kiwidom wait, what? I'm not sure what is harder to believe, that a 26 year old who can't make a Super squad is being "too hasty" in taking what i imagine is a much more lucrative offer. Or that Marty Banks is, or could be, All Black quality.
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@mariner4life said in Exodus 2017:
@Kiwidom wait, what? I'm not sure what is harder to believe, that a 26 year old who can't make a Super squad is being "too hasty" in taking what i imagine is a much more lucrative offer. Or that Marty Banks is, or could be, All Black quality.
He's better than Delaney ever was
popcorn time...
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We might be a little bit thin at first five next year when Cruden is gone - depending on how much time Sopoaga gets this season and how he goes.
I'd expect to see Richie Mo'unga get called up as the third first five, but even at the end of this year he won't be that experienced. DMac is doubtless on the radar, but right now probably hasn't started five first class matches as a first five and Jordie has probably yet to start one.
Hopefully Beaudy stays fit and Shag can run an orderly development plan!
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@Chris-B. said in Exodus 2017:
I'd rate Banks fifth as a first five - behind Mo'unga, but ahead of Francis, West, Black and DMac.
Have you seen Banks this year? I'd have agreed with you a few years back - but he's been off the pace this year. And he's got silly hair.
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