SBW set to sign for......
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<p>Well, continual talk of contracts and futures follows on from SBW signing a series of 1-2 year deals. Quite obviously Khoder is at the negotiating table batting for SBW more than if he were representing a guy who signs 3-4 year deals.</p>
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<p>With the talk of the new broadcasting deal being double the value of the current one, then SBW is probably poised to cash in on that. Perhaps Khoder held off on signing a long term deal in 2014 because he knew any deal would be more lucrative in 2016. Especially by now Nonu has finished up his [legendary] ABs career and SBW has a family is seeking more stability. </p>
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<p>To be clear, these comments are not in the "I hate SBW" camp. I don't love the guy but he's got mad skillz and I want him on my teams (Chiefs and ABs).</p> -
<p>2 year contracts are pretty standard for NZRU. Longer ones (often still only 3 years) are offered to some key players and sometimes existing contracts are pushed out before they run out effectively making them look longer (eg a contract running out at the end of 2016 is extended to end 2019 and signed in 2015)</p>
<p>Remeber that the NZRU don't 'over-sign' unless they need to as well as the contracts are all locked in for the period. An injured player still gets the term of their contract payed out whether they can play or not.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="583968" data-time="1464578184">
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<p>I guess the thing that gets to some people (I don't care personally) is that it seems every 5 minutes there is talk of another contract negotiation and "speculation" about his future. It seems at odds with plenty of other players that have had AB careers, even those that have taken sabbaticals.</p>
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<p>Honestly the only other contract negotiations for a high profile All Black that was remotely close to the same SBWs 3 (?) now contracts have been was Hayman and that was because apparently they were throwing in a dairy farm. The way Nasser conducts business is incredibly out of kilter with all other ABs, very league which is where he is from.</p>
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<p>The rest just slip under the mainstream medias radar usually until the guy has great Super form and is gunning for an AB spot but is already commited to a European club.</p> -
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<p>SBW is 31 in August, 34 by RWC 2019. Smith and Nonu were 34 and 33 respectively at the last world cup - so age isn't an issue theoretically.</p>
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<p>Be interesting to see how many ABs are able to mount a tilt at three Rugby World Cup winners' medals.</p>
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<p>I guess Sam Whitelock is the favourite, since he's still only 27. Owen Franks is 28 and should also last. Mainly a question of serious injuries or enthusiasm that would stop these two.</p>
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<p>Sonny Bill and Kieran Read are pretty much the same age and I suppose reasonable shots, though both will be stretching things to Nonu/Conrad/McCaw lengths.</p>
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<p>Jerome Kaino is still in the AB frame, but he's 33 now, still 3 years to run and contenders are lining up in his position. A fair sort of outsider.</p>
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<p>Probably more likely that Slade or Vito (or an elderly Ben Franks) would come back from overseas and find their way into the 2019 squad - none are very likely.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="583987" data-time="1464581874">
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<p>Be interesting to see how many ABs are able to mount a tilt at three Rugby World Cup winners' medals.</p>
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<p>I guess Sam Whitelock is the favourite, since he's still only 27. Owen Franks is 28 and should also last. Mainly a question of serious injuries or enthusiasm that would stop these two.</p>
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<p>Sonny Bill and Kieran Read are pretty much the same age and I suppose reasonable shots, though both will be stretching things to Nonu/Conrad/McCaw lengths.</p>
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<p>Jerome Kaino is still in the AB frame, but he's 33 now, still 3 years to run and contenders are lining up in his position. A fair sort of outsider.</p>
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<p>Probably more likely that Slade or Vito (or an elderly Ben Franks) would come back from overseas and find their way into the 2019 squad - none are very likely.</p>
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<p>SBW will definitely have a crack at a third, oust some well performed stalwart and push the interweb into meltdown mode.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="583989" data-time="1464582095"><p>
SBW will definitely have a crack at a third, oust some well performed stalwart and push the interweb into meltdown mode.</p></blockquote>
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Not so fast SBW only has one World Cup winners medal. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="583968" data-time="1464578184">
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<p>I guess the thing that gets to some people (I don't care personally) is that it seems every 5 minutes there is talk of another contract negotiation and "speculation" about his future. It seems at odds with plenty of other players that have had AB careers, even those that have taken sabbaticals.</p>
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<p>how much of this is Sonny Bill or Khoder though? It's more the media's fault. They know all they need to do is put "SBW" into a title and it'll double the amount of reads, and double the amount of comments. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="583995" data-time="1464583756">
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<p>Not so fast SBW only has one World Cup winners medal.</p>
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<p>Actually, he's got three - one is just in safe-keeping with a rich kid in Surrey! :)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Sabalom Glitz" data-cid="584000" data-time="1464584418">
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<p>how much of this is Sonny Bill or Khoder though? It's more the media's fault. They know all they need to do is put "SBW" into a title and it'll double the amount of reads, and double the amount of comments. </p>
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<p>Yes I think there is a fair bit of that in it , in the age of internet media </p>
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<p>the name sonny bill williams = more clicks than any other player </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Sabalom Glitz" data-cid="584000" data-time="1464584418">
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<p>how much of this is Sonny Bill or Khoder though? It's more the media's fault. They know all they need to do is put "SBW" into a title and it'll double the amount of reads, and double the amount of comments. </p>
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<p>Yes I think there is a fair bit of that in it , in the age of internet media </p>
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<p>the name sonny bill williams = more clicks than any other player </p>
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<p>I agree</p>
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<p>Lucky the old fern is far too much of a discerning place to fall for that old click bait/hysteria tactic... :)</p> -
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/80561945/state-of-origin-2016-tana-umaga-visits-nsw-blues-secret-training-session'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/80561945/state-of-origin-2016-tana-umaga-visits-nsw-blues-secret-training-session</a></p>
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<p>Article says Tana is in Sydney to meet SBWs agent.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="583987" data-time="1464581874">
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<p>Be interesting to see how many ABs are able to mount a tilt at three Rugby World Cup winners' medals.</p>
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<p>I guess Sam Whitelock is the favourite, since he's still only 27. Owen Franks is 28 and should also last. Mainly a question of serious injuries or enthusiasm that would stop these two.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sonny Bill and Kieran Read are pretty much the same age and I suppose reasonable shots, though both will be stretching things to Nonu/Conrad/McCaw lengths.</p>
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<p>Jerome Kaino is still in the AB frame, but he's 33 now, still 3 years to run and contenders are lining up in his position. A fair sort of outsider.</p>
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<p>Probably more likely that Slade or Vito (or an elderly Ben Franks) would come back from overseas and find their way into the 2019 squad - none are very likely.</p>
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<p>3 world cup titles, never been done and must be a motivation for a few guys. Reckon Sam Whitelock might have a crack at 4?</p>
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<p>Surprised initially that SBW wanted to sign for 3 years but when kids come into the picture maybe he wanted to stay in one place for a bit longer?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NZ Rugby Quizzes" data-cid="584144" data-time="1464633443">
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<p>3 world cup titles, never been done and must be a motivation for a few guys. Reckon Sam Whitelock might have a crack at 4?</p>
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<p>Surprised initially that SBW wanted to sign for 3 years but when kids come into the picture maybe he wanted to stay in one place for a bit longer?</p>
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<p>Easy fella, 3 comes before 4......</p> -
<p>Supposedly a press conference tomorrow morning.</p>
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<span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.16px;">Details of Sonny Bill Williams' new three-year deal with New Zealand Rugby will be confirmed on Wednesday, and the cross-code star is believed to be favouring a move to the Blues.</span><br><br><span style="margin:0px;font-size:12.16px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);"><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/sonny-bill-williams-set-to-sign-with-auckland-blues-in-threeyear-deal-20160531-gp87ac.html#ixzz4ADBskZi4'>http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/sonny-bill-williams-set-to-sign-with-auckland-blues-in-threeyear-deal-20160531-gp87ac.html#ixzz4ADBskZi4</a> </span></blockquote> -
<p>As much as i would love to have him at the Chiefs, i think it's good he's going to the Blues. They've been a basket case for ages, and it's good to have a star player choose to go there, some others might follow. </p>
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<p>And the Chiefs don't really need him. It would be beneficial for NZ rugby if he joined the Blues.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="584339" data-time="1464683917">
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<p>Would he get picked over the human highlight reel that his Piers Francis? Tough call for Tana.</p>
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<p>Lol to be fair to Francis he's been better than I thought, maybe due to the low expectations I had of him but yes, Tana's bound to lose sleep over this dilema.</p>