When The Croissant Isn’t All It’s Hyped Up To Be

By ALPHATHOUGHTS

We talk a lot of shit in the office. Zero scientific findings to back it up, but we believe quality banter greatly improves workplace happiness.

But what’s been dominating the talk of the CodeAlpha crew has been the supposed ‘dumping’ of one of our prized possessions. It seems like only yesterday that Julian Savea announced his departure from New Zealand Rugby on a quest for more dollar signs at cashed up French club Toulon. Yeah - a new baby and wife means cash is a priority, and truthfully, Savea’s performances had been downhill since the 2015 World Cup. Not throwing shade, he was just getting average. Anyone in his boots would take the deal.

What a surprise it was to hear there’d been shots fired by Toulon boss – pretty much telling Savea to piss off only months into his contract.

Savea isn’t the first and definitely won’t be the last to fail to play at an overseas club. But for us all at home watching the debacle unfold, there are a couple thing to point out:

Owner of Toulon, Mourad Boudjellal is a dickhead. We can’t argue with Boudjellal for being pissed. Savea hasn’t brought the magic you’d expect from someone of his calibre. But calling Savea out through the media. Dick move.

Savea deserves some serious credit for his ballsy response to getting ‘dumped’. I don’t know about you, but if my coach told me to get lost with the whole world watching, I wouldn’t be showing up to training the next day. But then again, it is $1.65 million dollars, which leads me to the third point.

Money talks, sometimes. Unless you’re Richie McCaw and deemed a national treasure who can do no wrong, most retired All Blacks end up reverting back to peasant life earning an average wage. NZ doesn’t have the money to sustain lengthy expensive rugby careers, but it begs the question – is the jump overseas really worth it? The likes of Savea seem to think so, but long term. Yeah, nah I’m not convinced.