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TOP 14OyonnaxPauToulonFrank Halai

Former All Black named as 'worst signing of 2017' in Top 14


McAllister
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Amid reports of a flurry of All Blacks being targetted by French clubs, it seems not all ex-All Blacks have lived up to lofty expectations as French newspaper Mid Olympique released it’s worst signings of 2017.

Three former All Blacks have been named in a “Flop 10” list of worst French rugby signings from 2017, headed by former Blues first-five Luke McAlister who topped the list.

McAlister has barely been seen for Toulon after signing on for the 2017/18 season, where the 34-year-old was dropped to third-choice first-five behind Anthony Belleau and Francois Trinh-Duc. He was loaned out to Clermont as injury cover before suffering a broken hand in a match against Agen.

Mid Olympique judged former Blues wing Frank Halai the fourth-worst signing, who joined Pau this season after leaving English club Wasps, and former Chiefs hooker Hika Elliot came in at the ninth who was signed by last-placed Oyonnax.

Former Stormers and South African fullback Cheslin Kolbe was named as the best signing of the 2017-2018 season to date, who joined Toulouse and has been a strong performer for the side.

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Comments on RugbyPass

O
Over the sideline 14 minutes ago
'South Africa can widen the All Blacks' previously unseen faultlines'

Mmmmm…. Didnt Ireland think they just had to make the quarter final to win it? How did that work out for Ireland? I hope SA are reading from the same story book of arrogance.

34 Go to comments
O
Over the sideline 18 minutes ago
'South Africa can widen the All Blacks' previously unseen faultlines'

Will also 100% contribut to constant ABs counter attack.

34 Go to comments
O
Over the sideline 27 minutes ago
Eight possible bolters for the All Blacks' 44-man squad to tour South Africa

He would be very dumb not to take a 4th 10. I dont think of Rennie as dumb.

40 Go to comments
O
Over the sideline 31 minutes ago
All Blacks report card: All 32 Nations Championship players rated

I think Tupaea was superior to Proctor thru the whole series. I'd be looking to replace Proctor by the OCT tours.

47 Go to comments
O
Over the sideline 38 minutes ago
All Blacks report card: All 32 Nations Championship players rated

Don’t watch. We are so glad we wont have to put up with such dribble in the comments section. Hate is a choice

47 Go to comments
O
Over the sideline 45 minutes ago
All Blacks report card: All 32 Nations Championship players rated

Ratima has been great. Hotham has major kicking issues. Well known.

47 Go to comments
J
JW 54 minutes ago
The three selections that reveal how Les Kiss’ Wallabies will play

I’m surprised how well Amatosero’s stats compete to LSLs.

On stats only really Darry and Dearns could rank better than LSL, but neither have been able to match his defensive output in dominant tackles. Both were better carriers with Dearns also better in the ruck and of course lineout steals. That’s not normalizing anyone, like Behree who was comparable with Darry when on the park, just pure output of course. Hannahs numbers are also comparable but I feel thats more because he played like a 6 than a tough lock.



...

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T
TL 1 hour ago
Joe Schmidt bows out on a high - but can the Wallabies escape 'the twilight zone'?

It’s hard to see how any coach could have done much better and that coaches can only shift the dial so much in Australia, we’ve had some of the best in the world and the trajectory has been the same. The win/loss record is obviously an important metric, but it is only one metric, and not necessarily the best to assess a team that is really still in a building phase (2024 was recovery!). You could look at something like average losing margin, and the trajectory there is much better, with the 2025/2026 results close to half the losing margin in 2024 and during Eddie’s reign (roughly 10, compared to closer to 20). Much has been made of the so called merry-go-round at 10 (really sick of that phrase but here I am using it), but losing Noah, Lygnah and Dono between Fiji and SA games in 2025, and Carter then Dono in 2026 had nothing to do with Joe. He consistently backed his first choices and backed youth at 10 when he could. The injuries led to a massive increase in uncertainty around whether to risk players who weren’t ready or back experience but lose the future benefit. In that situation I think we need to permit our coaches a greater degree of experimentation and error. Much has been made of the LSL situation, but what about how Joe’s selections at lock have led to some real depth of capability there, with players that weren’t as conspicuously impressive (e.g. Williams, Canham). Joe has made his mistakes, but he righted the trend that was heading sharply down, and I suspect that as with what he left in Ireland and as with Stuart Lancaster your old mate, the true test of his time will be what happens in the wake.

245 Go to comments
W
Wayneo 1 hour ago
All Black great Ma'a Nonu leaves Toulon for new role at South African club

“Pensioners discount” was a good one but I doubt its’ the case.

Its our bodies that determine how long we can play sport so if he is still able to then I don’t see why he should not contineu.



...

2 Go to comments
A
Alex 2 hours ago
New European club competition set to launch next month

Loving what's going on in European rugby at the moment

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Bruiser 2 hours ago
Contest or no contest? The eternal struggle between the Springboks and All Blacks

Good for teams with little imagination

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B
Bruiser 2 hours ago
Contest or no contest? The eternal struggle between the Springboks and All Blacks

Appealing to be simple people no doubt

876 Go to comments
B
Bazzallina 2 hours ago
All Black great Ma'a Nonu leaves Toulon for new role at South African club

We already have one covert agent ready to come in from the cold in the near future now we have commenced stage 2 of the plan with code 12

2 Go to comments
B
Bazzallina 3 hours ago
All Blacks report card: All 32 Nations Championship players rated

I wonder how much bigger he is now he def looks it reckon he will be in a program to add a few more kgs but it’s def helped him yup he will def go snd eill play done 6 as he iften finished games there for Saders

47 Go to comments
B
Bazzallina 3 hours ago
All Blacks report card: All 32 Nations Championship players rated

QT showed some slick catch pass multiple times over his 2 tests I will be honest haven’t always been hus biggest fan but he is proving me wrong if he can produce close to this against Boks he going real well

47 Go to comments
B
Bazzallina 3 hours ago
All Blacks report card: All 32 Nations Championship players rated

Why does NZ always get the decision ? ? It’s the universe telling you are wrong and don’t get your knickers in such a twist ridiculous take and kinda angry

47 Go to comments
G
GP 3 hours ago
All Blacks report card: All 32 Nations Championship players rated

I loved seeing local boy Jamie Hannah coming off the bench in the Test here three weeks ago. Great form for the Crusaders too. He will be going to South Africa.

47 Go to comments
B
Bazzallina 3 hours ago
All Blacks report card: All 32 Nations Championship players rated

He young as u say needs to nail it down at Super first option taking kicking game passing all that but as they say you can’t coach speed he very quick

47 Go to comments
G
GP 3 hours ago
Nine players whose stock rose massively this July in Nations Championship

Sam Darry’s stock’s did rise for the AB’s. He has been outstanding in Canterbury and Blues jersey’s these last few years. He will be an AB for a long time.

1 Go to comments
O
Over the sideline 3 hours ago
'South Africa can widen the All Blacks' previously unseen faultlines'

Rodeo4 seems to know sruff that is BS so why cant we all know BS eh.

34 Go to comments
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