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All Black Kerr-Barlow to make La Rochelle switch

Chiefs and New Zealand scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow

New Zealand scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow will leave Chiefs to join La Rochelle at the end of the Super Rugby season.

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The 26-year-old playmaker, who won his 25th cap for the All Blacks against Italy last November, has agreed a three-year deal with the Top 14 leaders.

Aaron Cruden decided to turn his back on the world champions and Chiefs to join Montpellier later this year and Kerr-Barlow has also opted to take up a new challenge in France.

“It was an extremely hard decision to make, but I feel it is the right one for my family and myself,” said Kerr-Barlow.

“I’ve always wanted to play rugby in New Zealand and to represent teams like Waikato and the Chiefs which is where my family comes from.

“It was a childhood dream of mine to become an All Black and it has been a privilege to represent my country.

“I had really good contact with the Chiefs and the All Blacks throughout the process, but ultimately the opportunity to play rugby with La Rochelle and experience the French culture with my family was the right decision for me.”

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Tom 1 hour ago
Eben Etzebeth staring at huge ban after another red card

Well… I'd say the modern Boks are not a particularly violent team but it's impossible to getaway with much violence on an international rugby field now. The Boks of yesteryear were at times brutal. Whether or not the reputation is justified, they do have that reputation amongst a lot of rugby fans.

As for point 2.. it's a tricky one, I don't want to slander a nation here. I'm no “Bok hater”, but I've gotta say some Bok fans are the most obnoxious fans I've personally encountered. Notably this didn't seem to be a problem until the Boks became the best in the world. I agree that fans from other nations can be awful too, every nation has it's fair share of d-heads but going on any rugby forum or YouTube comments is quite tedious these days owing to the legions of partisan Bok fans who jump onto every thread regardless of if it's about the Boks to tell everyone how much better the Boks are than everyone else. A Saffa once told me that SA is a troubled country and because of that the Boks are a symbol of SA victory against all odds so that's why the fans are so passionate. At least you recognise that there is an issue with some Bok fans, that's more than many are willing to concede. Whatever the reason, it's just boring is all I can tell you and I can say coming from a place of absolute honesty I encounter far, far more arrogance and obnoxious behaviour from Bok fans than any other fanbase - the kiwis were nothing like this when they were on top. So look much love to SA, I bear no hatred of ill will, I just want to have conversations about rugby without being told constantly that the Boks are the best team in the world and all coaches except Rassie are useless etc



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