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Sam Whitelock - and maybe another All Black - to be unveiled at Toulon, reports
In what would be an early Christmas present to fans, Top 14 side Toulon are expected to confirm that New Zealand lock Sam Whitelock is set to join the club on a two-year deal after next year’s World Cup, at a press conference on Thursday, December 13.
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A festive announcement ‘gift’ has become something of a tradition at Toulon, which is also reportedly close to agreeing a deal with All Black team-mate Nehe Milner-Skudder, according to reports in France. In fact, a double-wrapped Christmas package from New Zealand could be in store. The 2015 World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year’s deal may even be confirmed alongside Whitelock’s, reports suggest.
According to French sports newspaper L’Equipe, Whitelock decided to reject a new deal from NZRU to make the move to France’s Mediterranean coast, following a meeting with Toulon recruitment representative Laurent Emmanuelli in Pretoria, South Africa, in October.
Whitelock, at least, is expected to be confirmed by president Mourad Boudjellal at a press conference on Thursday, where the club is expected to also announce major development plans for its training centre at Berg.
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In other news: South African stars could be moving to big English clubs
Toulon have been busy in the player market this year. Earlier this season, key young players Anthony Belleau and World Under-20 championship winner Louis Carbonnel agreed new deals.
The club has also won the race for the signature of Bordeaux’s international scrum-half Baptiste Serin; and has persuaded Christopher Tolofua to head back to France from Saracens.
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There may even be more deals to come, if – as reported – the Top 14 presidents and the LNR Steering committee move forward with plans to adopt a marquee player system. But 2018 Toulon is a more money-conscious animal than in recent seasons.
The Galactico days are long gone – Boudjellal does not have the resources to compete with the likes of Montpellier, Stade Francais, Racing 92, or indeed Lyon. It prompted him to suggest in 2017 that the club would embark on a ‘Made in France’ policy.
That hasn’t exactly materialised, but the new training and education centre means club has not given up entirely on developing young French talent.
Major investor at Toulon, Bernard Lemaître, told L’Equipe: “We have to start with another model … by continuing to build teams that integrate many more local, French and young talents, with always a few nuggets that we would look for to structure all this.”
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Whitelock and Milner-Skudder, Julian Savea and Rhys Webb would be those nuggets in Toulon’s ambitious plan to return to the big time with a bang. Belleau and Carbonel, Anthony Meric and Swan Rebbadj may be at the vanguard of those French and young talents.
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Comments on RugbyPass
The pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
5 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
5 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
5 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
5 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
5 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to comments