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@Duluth he seems to be that type, he has had offers elsewhere, but as you say, content with his lot.
Kudo's to him, certainly never lived up to his potential, and frustrating as hell to watch given you see glimpses of his ceiling, but he seems committed to the Blues & Northland.
I see Caleb Clarke has been spending time with the Sydney Swans, which is great to see.
@SouthernMann im not a big fan of Nock, but some of the images I've seen of him, he is in incredible shape this year, hopefully he has a change of mindset with it given he has the skillset to be a starting 9, but I won't hold my breath he will suddenly be a smarter player.
@nonpartizan costs are prohibitive in that we dont see much sharing of games within the franchise regions, let alone much outside of that.
I assume the models are the same (and havent changed in the past few years) with each franchise, but the Blues charge NRU to host games, so there is that cost on top of all the other shit that goes with hosting a game.
@canefan its going back a couple of years, but when the Drua played here in Whangarei, the Drua fans were great, signing, dancing, was a great atmosphere, but NZ grounds seem to prefer to play shitty music and kept playing it over the top of the crowd creating that faux ambience.
@canefan something that always fascinated me when playing in the UK was how we'd finish our match, and most of the team would be trying to check out the football scores, most often before showering or even cracking open a beer.
@SouthernMann said in Exodus:
What is disappointing is that we spend so much time developing players and some overseas union gets the benefits of our hard work.
whats worse, is we are no longer developing players properly as they move to Super & AB rugby and they still leave....
Some of his numbers are mental, moreso because of his age, seems like he's well grounded too.
@mariner4life yes thats another major issue, so may players play fuck all rugby.
I mean you get those named in June series Squads, off the back end of a few great super games, play fuck all through then into TRC, some back to NPC and then named in the AB EOYT squad, play 3 mins on the EOYT then you dont restart your super training until late, you have managed super minutes, I believe this is all under the collective agreement with NZRPA.
@mariner4life i think the problems run deeper than npc in whatever format you have it.
Issues start before the npc, then the timing and format of it is a separate issue.
@hikastags I think in the past we have had the stocks coming through, had the systems and coaches to keep things rolling despite the pressure from all the players leaving, however in the past half dozen or so years these exits are really starting to tell, particularly the coaching losses.
We may well still be producing the athletes, but it would seem its our coaching, technical skills and development of players that are being found wanting.
I dont think it is too late to turn it around, but I am not convinced we have the right people in place (upper echelons of NZR and overall coaching at all levels) to make changes before we are terminal.
@African-Monkey was kinda tongue in cheek, I dont think fatigue was his issue, its how he is playing, or allowed to play by the current coaching group.
@African-Monkey for years Ardies game.has unbalanced our loose trio, not so much because he isnt able to play the way required, we have had many coaches let him play how.he plays and try to fit people around him.
This has lead us to current Ardie who is undroppable, despite doing probably less work than previous years, and still affecting our loose trio.
Hopefully the lighter load in Japan will see him refreshed and hungry for some real work when he gets back...
Am thinking way back in 2023 when I posted, it was about the game winning more fans rather than the Boks getting more fans.
@Victor-Meldrew think i mentioned elsewhere on here, heard Enoka speak at a conference (wasnt even there as the "main" speaker we had to listen to, but was by far the more memorable) he was awesome to listen to, I'll be reading his book too.
One fella i was sitting with said it was his 3rd time hearing him, said he told so many different stories and kept everyone engaged.
Haven't clicked on that link, but I recall him saying Mealamu was a player who carried more mana than anyone.
I know we are getting off topic here, but I've always been in the camp of the day and k/o times are probably the biggest issue.
I mean, mid-winter, Thursday at 7pm is always gonna suck...I assume the powers that be have the data on average crowd numbers, what days they get better attendances, times etc...weather is always a factor too.
Choice of beer at a game is certainly not a factor for me, there are numerous quality food caravans in attendance, but often big queues so I rarely bother.
@Nepia or it is just a different style or coach that gets the best out of them.
@cgrant he went to an 'unfashionable school'? and seems he left fairly early on in his career.
@nzzp yeah I just think it is overstated, but would love to know what he pitched to them, or, as many think, the role was his and they didnt bother much with the detail of his pitch?
@DurryMexted I mean if you put the 'business' spin on it, this guys been running your provincial arm for many years, making good profits, do you make him go work for a competitor overseas to gain further experience before being considered for the top job?
I dont think it is essential, and his CV at the time meant he demanded serious consideration but based on what we have heard since, what did he sell NZR on his vision, 1st year, 2nd and 4 year plan (last one included winning the RWC one assumes)
Where a real world model vs the NZR model part ways, is he gets to bring a team with him, in the business world, these other roles would in most cases be filled already.