RugbyRebels

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/ar ... d=11972607

Shame. Good player.

Yeah, but fair enough for wanting his kid and any future kids he may have to live in some comfort.

Not too worried about the no. 10 stocks, since we're seeing some good ones coming through the ranks - Richie Mo'unga and Bryn Gatland, namely.

Hard to say no to NZ$1 mill+/season, that's for sure. He's quite a bit ahead of Mo'unga & Gatland IMO. Wouldn't be surprised if D Mac emerges as the backup 10.

Regardless, it must be frustrating to the AB selectors who have invested quite a bit of time & effort into Spopaga. Although he's behind Barrett, he's had plenty of time on the park and clearly was a part of the AB setup building to the next WC. I doubt anyone blames him, but it must be annoying for AB management nonetheless.

I suppose a glass half full way to look at things is that it's surprising how many players DON'T shoot through for a big Eurodollar contract.

He made the right decision. Players have got to look after themselves first, obviously. I think it's the eligility rule that needs changing. The Wallabies have already done this. The NZRFU may eventually have to follow suit. The problem then is players adopt different styles of playing and trying to mould them into a harmonious unit at national level becomes a difficult challenge. We've already seen what it has done to international soccer over the past few decades.

Losing two of your biggest flyhalf talents in Sopoaga and Donald within a few days of each other must hurt. Still, Barrett must be resting a little easier knowing that Donald won’t be taking the 10 shirt off him next season. Looking forward to seeing Sopoaga play in the Prem next season.

I'm sure it is annoying to his rugby franchise and the NZ team, just as it's annoying to Wasps they look to be losing Cipriani

Spy wrote:Hard to say no to NZ$1 mill+/season, that's for sure. He's quite a bit ahead of Mo'unga & Gatland IMO. Wouldn't be surprised if D Mac emerges as the backup 10.

Mo'unga and Gats, jr. are both ahead of where Sopoaga was at a comparative stage in his career, IMO.

That sucks. The other two will need some nurturing to get up to Lima's level of experience, then what chances one of them buggers off soon after that too?

Damn shame, Sopoaga is one of those players that seems to have more time than everyone else on the field to make decisions. Don't blame him for taking the bucks, but I would have liked to see more of him in the black 10 shirt, 2018 felt like it could have been his year.

Indeed.

Mellsblue wrote:Losing two of your biggest flyhalf talents in Sopoaga and Donald within a few days of each other must hurt. Still, Barrett must be resting a little easier knowing that Donald won’t be taking the 10 shirt off him next season. Looking forward to seeing Sopoaga play in the Prem next season.

He wasn't even in a Super Rugby squad.

Donald? He's mid-30s! Sopoaga's in his prime.

cashead wrote:

Mellsblue wrote:Losing two of your biggest flyhalf talents in Sopoaga and Donald within a few days of each other must hurt. Still, Barrett must be resting a little easier knowing that Donald won’t be taking the 10 shirt off him next season. Looking forward to seeing Sopoaga play in the Prem next season.

He wasn't even in a Super Rugby squad.

It was tongue in cheek. I thought the bit about Barrett being relieved Donald would no longer be after his NZ shirt might have given it away.

& people wonder why I use emojis...

rowan wrote:& people wonder why I use emojis...

Yes. It makes your interactions with Cashead so much more coherent.