Waving goodbye: another NZ rugby exodus
When the final whistle blew on the last World Cup final, it marked the end of an era. Dan Carter took his triumphant return to form to Racing 92, Ma’a Nonu cashed up at Toulon, Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock took a well earned retirement, while Richie McCaw seemingly ascended to heaven – according to certain sections of the kiwi media.
OK, so McCaw simply retired as well, but it was feared at the time that the All Blacks may not be able to recover from such a loss of experience.
A 13-1 record in 2016 well and truly doused that theory. But now NZ rugby faces a second mass exodus, but this time it’s not the top guys that are exiting. Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, James Lowe, Charlie Faumuina, Malakai Fekitoa, Steven Luatua and Chiefs coach Dave Rennie represent a pretty fair cross section of the next tier down from the established All Black set up. And all of them have just played or coached their last game in Super Rugby.
There wasn’t much fanfare over the weekend for them. Like Fekitoa the week before, the Chiefs contingent of Cruden, Kerr-Barlow, Lowe and Rennie had an ignominious exit in front of a barely half full AMI Stadium in Christchurch. Faumuina and Luatua ended their Blues careers with a loss to the Sunwolves a couple of weeks ago.
Now, with all due respect, I’m not saying that these guys are in quite the same class as the 2015 lot that left. But it is a considerable amount of players that could’ve made a serious contribution to the national programme at least till the next World Cup.
Take Cruden for example. Even when Beauden Barrett caused many to get a little nervous every time he was handed the kicking tee, it’s not like he was about to be replaced. However, Cruden played a big hand in the first test, coming on for an injured Ben Smith and playing out most of the game at first five.
Likewise Faumuina. The prop with the ball skills of a back was seemingly set for a long career with the Blues and All Blacks, however the offshore money to be made was too much to say no to.
James Lowe may well have found himself on one of the All Black wings for the Lions series, and his exclusion only really served to temporarily prolong Julian Savea’s test career. He has been the form wing of the entire Super Rugby competition, and is worth every cent Leinster are paying him.
Dave Rennie’s departure is obviously a signal that he’s not in the frame for the All Black job in the near future, however his shift overseas still could impact player movement in the future. There’s been little shrouding the fact that former Blues coach Pat Lam was a major factor in Luatua’s move to Bristol, even prompting a rare public rebuke from Steve Hansen.
And these are just the most notable players that are off. Much is often made about New Zealand’s seemingly endless depth, and it’s going to be tested again.
A first glance though, it looks like it will be more the Super Rugby sides that will take the hit more than the All Blacks. Cruden and Rennie’s shift will especially hurt the Chiefs, while Faumuina leaving the Blues adds to their existing struggles with having experienced campaigners out on the field.
So while the end of 2015 was rightfully marked as the end of an era, at least it was well signposted. That one felt more like a celebration of a number of legendary careers, this one feels a tad more ominous. The All Blacks’ form of late hasn’t been exactly thrilling, and it leaves holes in almost all the franchises that will be a challenge to fill.
Although, it must be noted, the top performing Crusaders aren’t one of them. And, when you look at the issues that Australian and South African rugby in particular have to face on an annual basis, maybe letting a few guys go isn’t quite as critical as it seems.
Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments