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Toulon ready to cut their losses on All Black Milner-Skudder - reports

Nehe Milner-Skudder runs through exercises during an All Blacks gym session (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Reports in France on Wednesday suggest that 2015 World Cup winner Nehe Milner-Skudder might never arrive in Toulon to take up the three-year contract agreed on last December.

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French sports daily L’Equipe are reporting that the 28-year-old, who was ruled out of All Blacks selection for the 2019 World Cup after a shoulder injury prevented him playing any Super Rugby match for the Hurricanes, could now be surplus to requirement. 

It was December 13 last year when Toulon made a big show after securing the signatures of Eben Etzebeth and Milner-Skudder for the 2019/2020 season. 

Fresh from his World Cup-winning exploits with the Springboks, Etzebeth is due to arrive in Toulon before the end of the year and honour his three-year deal. 

However, the arrival of Milner-Skudder, who has not played any rugby since November 3 last year, is now in jeopardy due to shoulder complications. 

(Continue reading below…)

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It appears that the injured player’s contract has not yet been approved by the French League. Before this happens, he must have a medical examination and it appears this might not happen due to his shoulder problems. 

If the release of the contracted Milner-Skudder is confirmed, it will leave Toulon in a position to utilise the freed-up budget to chase down a replacement, namely Saracens and Wales’ Liam Williams. 

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He is expected to be a casualty of any shake-up at Saracens in the wake of their salary cap saga. However, L’Equipe added that Toulon won’t have it easy capturing Williams’ signature as the player has allegedly been courted by numerous other clubs in France. 

WATCH: Wales’ decision to play Jonathan Davies against the All Blacks is now under scrutiny

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Nickers 4 hours ago
The All Blacks strongest midfield partnership for the next World Cup is already clear

Under Schmidt Jordie was a constant attacking threat. I don’t think he has been asked to play that role over the past couple of years. He generally receives the ball while we are on the back foot and there are very few options available, and where running in particular is the worst option.

Not so much splitting the field but having lots of options and lots for the defence to think about. If the 9 can go to the 10 who is up flat, who in turn has a pod with another back in it say Jordan in the boot, and another player like Jordie/BB/Dmac out the back coming into the line with players inside and outside them (could be Jordan) it’ a very dynamic situation with 3 options, 2 of which could be kick/long pass as well as run. Having that final player out the back as a strong kicker and distributor/decision maker gives you so many opportunities. As good as Jordan is, he is not a playmaker the way those other guys are. His strength is running and timing, so when he has the ball that is the main thing the defence has to worry about, and the main way he will hurt you. Only one 10 on the field let’s the defence know the 9 only really has one option, 2 at best. Leaving players like Jordan to roam to where he thinks there is space and having two or three players that can find him, rather than him being involved in the spine makes the backline far more potent.



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