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       #Post#: 16485--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Sonny Bill Williams
   DIR By: marlowish
       Date: February 6, 2019, 6:14 am
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       --- Quote from: Fearless Fred link ---
       >
       > I'm with poorfour on how this will probably play out in the
       mid-term. We'll see fixed term sabbaticals for players wanting
       to experience European rugby (with a view to know whether they
       want to move North after their time in the AB squad is over).
       > For younger players who they want to get more experience who
       may be being held back by having more senior players ahead of
       them, I can see the benefit. Imagine you're a younger player
       (24/25) who's got an established AB in the same Super Rugby
       squad against them. You're only going to get occasional starts
       in Super Rugby, and possibly some Mitre10 games (Premiership
       Cup). If NZRU think that you're a player who could develop into
       a future star, sending you up to us for two seasons to get more
       serious game time could be a real benefit to them, the player,
       and us.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       They could come to us but they could also go to one of many
       clubs if they are that good.  They may choose to go to Sarries
       or Sale who seem to be in the market for foreign players or to
       France and earn a bucket load of money
       #Post#: 16488--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Sonny Bill Williams
   DIR By: Fearless Fred
       Date: February 6, 2019, 7:26 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I understand that part of any such move to us would allow the
       NZRU more say in the terms, such as a fixed contract with a veto
       over an extension thereof if they deem the player was required
       back in the NZRU fold in the run up to the next RWC,  potential
       to have them back if required for short term loan due to
       injuries, etc, which they wouldn't be guaranteed otherwise.
       They'd no doubt also be able to have an input into his training
       off season.
       #Post#: 16489--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Sonny Bill Williams
   DIR By: 
       Date: February 6, 2019, 7:50 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Fearless Fred link ---
       >
       > I'm with poorfour on how this will probably play out in the
       mid-term. We'll see fixed term sabbaticals for players wanting
       to experience European rugby (with a view to know whether they
       want to move North after their time in the AB squad is over).
       > For younger players who they want to get more experience who
       may be being held back by having more senior players ahead of
       them, I can see the benefit. Imagine you're a younger player
       (24/25) who's got an established AB in the same Super Rugby
       squad against them. You're only going to get occasional starts
       in Super Rugby, and possibly some Mitre10 games (Premiership
       Cup). If NZRU think that you're a player who could develop into
       a future star, sending you up to us for two seasons to get more
       serious game time could be a real benefit to them, the player,
       and us.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       Complete agree here that this would be the most common use of
       the partnership in terms of younger players gaining more game
       time here. My thoughts on the Sonny case is more just you never
       know, despite more injuries, moved healed and back playing he is
       still fresh and has still got it so it could come down to him
       thinking to himself “before I retire, where is the one country
       or league I wish I had a go at but haven’t”. If the England
       Gallagher Premiership comes up and he is looking for just one
       season you never know, with our partnership and links with All
       Blacks and New Zealand Rugby it could help his decision.
       I don’t mean to compare it too much but it’s like in football
       where you sometimes see players join a team in a different
       league. Yes most times it’s for cash money but in some cases
       they do it because it’s a country or league they wish to try out
       and play on before retirement. Could be a pay per play deal, one
       year contract deal, some sort of we pay some, NZ Rugby pays a
       tad kind of deal. You normally will see that they are usually on
       the bench covering the range positions they play in and start
       the games which are more domestic cup instead of European cup or
       league games unless needed.
       Think about it. To a lot of young New Zealanders and future All
       Blacks, most probably haven’t heard much about Harlequins other
       than we are an good team in a top league in England. Having the
       odd player who they are familiar with play for us like in a
       current case Francis Saili (or if it did ever happen, Sonny
       Bills last rugby venture with us) could give us as an English
       club more exposure and attraction to future younger NZ rugby
       players to come to us to develop, paired with the partnership.
       Some see it as a dumb thought which is completely fine if that’s
       how you feel, but I like to be optimistic and hopefull. There is
       no harm in it. If it happens that’s nice, if it doesn’t happen
       ok no worries.
       #Post#: 16490--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Sonny Bill Williams
   DIR By: #495
       Date: February 6, 2019, 8:43 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I'd rather it be used to bring over coaches to help with a bit
       of talent spotting/identification and developing our own coaches
       to improve our existing players.
       Can't see how it helps us on the sabbatical front particularly -
       if a typical sabbatical lasts a season or two tops, then we get
       a short term gain - however that same player could go sign a
       short-term contract for loads more cash in France/Japan, then
       return to NZ and still slot straight back in the team.
       #Post#: 16527--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Sonny Bill Williams
   DIR By: deadlyfrom5yardsout
       Date: February 7, 2019, 3:45 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I have personal experience of a big name player being dropped
       into the team for the occasional outing. It was a disaster
       because everybody switched off thinking the star was going to
       win the game singlehanded.
       #Post#: 16529--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Sonny Bill Williams
   DIR By: Quinky
       Date: February 7, 2019, 3:54 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: deadlyfrom5yardsout link ---
       >
       > I have personal experience of a big name player being dropped
       into the team for the occasional outing. It was a disaster
       because everybody switched off thinking the star was going to
       win the game singlehanded.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       But you didn't live up to expectations, Dangly?
       #Post#: 16531--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Sonny Bill Williams
   DIR By: deadlyfrom5yardsout
       Date: February 7, 2019, 3:58 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I wish! Never been a Star performer other than drinking for
       England.
       #Post#: 16533--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Sonny Bill Williams
   DIR By: Quinky
       Date: February 7, 2019, 3:59 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: deadlyfrom5yardsout link ---
       >
       > I wish! Never been a Star performer other than drinking for
       England.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       And that's where you're in a glass of your own... ;)
       #Post#: 16535--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Sonny Bill Williams
   DIR By: TomBuckQuin
       Date: February 7, 2019, 4:05 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Anyone else think 'Stinky' and 'Dangly' need to get a room?
       #Post#: 16537--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Sonny Bill Williams
   DIR By: InsertQuinsPunHere
       Date: February 7, 2019, 4:16 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       The "dropping in a star player" issue reminds me of the podcast
       referenced previously on this board - the one where an ex player
       was using data analytics to assess how easily/quickly new
       players slotted into existing systems, and the individual and
       team impact this change had (largely negative on both levels).
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