Exodus

[Mauss]

Joshua Smith ('24 NZ U20s, Hawke's Bay), the young tighthead prop, is now apparently playing for the Western Force. I had completely missed this news so was quite surprised when I saw him suddenly appear in the Brumbies-Force game.

I can't find an official announcement either but it looks like he's an injury replacement for Atu Moli. Surprising to see such a promising young tight forward play for the Force, hopefully he finds his way back to an NZ team in the near future. Very good piece of recruiting by the Force, either way.

[Bovidae]

The Force have often looked to NZ for injury replacement props, e.g., Coxon, Bartlett.

[Nepia]

@Mauss said in Exodus:

Joshua Smith ('24 NZ U20s, Hawke's Bay), the young tighthead prop, is now apparently playing for the Western Force. I had completely missed this news so was quite surprised when I saw him suddenly appear in the Brumbies-Force game.

I can't find an official announcement either but it looks like he's an injury replacement for Atu Moli. Surprising to see such a promising young tight forward play for the Force, hopefully he finds his way back to an NZ team in the near future. Very good piece of recruiting by the Force, either way.

Probably not too surprising as Western Force assistant Ozich is a former HB coach.

[Mauss]

@Nepia said in Exodus:

Probably not too surprising as Western Force assistant Ozich is a former HB coach.

I suppose I meant surprising more in the sense that I would've expected the Hurricanes to keep someone like Smith close to the top team. The Canes have good depth at tighthead (Lomax, Tosi, Mafileo, Lauaki) but I rate Smith's scrummaging ability higher than someone like Lauaki.

The Hurricanes Hunters recently had players like Gareth Ward-Allen and Peter Seeling playing at tighthead, so it's not like the depth goes much beyond those four aforementioned players.

[Bovidae]

@Mauss

Ben Somerford  /  Feb 24

Force cap #272 Josh Smith: 'He acquitted himself really well'

[Mauss]

@Bovidae There's a good chance Smith will see plenty of game time for the Force, with Johnson-Holmes gone for the season and Tauakipulu still having his issues in the scrum. Will be interesting to see how he goes.

[Nepia]

@Mauss said in Exodus:

I suppose I meant surprising more in the sense that I would've expected the Hurricanes to keep someone like Smith close

You realise this is the Canes and Smith is/was signed with the Magpies?

[Machpants]

The man's a machine

https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/02/26/maa-nonu-joins-french-club-toulon-until-the-end-of-the-season/

[antipodean]

@Machpants that's insane. Even for a

[sparky]

@Machpants said in Exodus:

The man's a machine

https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/02/26/maa-nonu-joins-french-club-toulon-until-the-end-of-the-season/

Ma'a Nonu made his NPC debut for Wellington in August 2002. And he's still a professional Rugby Player. Different gravy.

[DurryMexted]

@sparky Him and Jimmy Gopperth battling out to see who will be last man standing from the lions 2002 team

[Higgins]

@Mauss said in Exodus:

@Nepia said in Exodus:

Probably not too surprising as Western Force assistant Ozich is a former HB coach.

I suppose I meant surprising more in the sense that I would've expected the Hurricanes to keep someone like Smith close to the top team. The Canes have good depth at tighthead (Lomax, Tosi, Mafileo, Lauaki) but I rate Smith's scrummaging ability higher than someone like Lauaki.

The Hurricanes Hunters recently had players like Gareth Ward-Allen and Peter Seeling playing at tighthead, so it's not like the depth goes much beyond those four aforementioned players.

I don't have my finger on the pulse of the club and school scene in Wellington as much as I used to so assume these two players must have slipped my notice being fluffed beyond belief at Scots College.

EDIT A bit of searching reveals my previous thoughts might be a little wide of the mark! In the case of Peter Seeling it looks to be a remarkable rise from the 2024 Manawatu B Team https://www.manawaturugby.co.nz/newsarticle/143087?newsfeedId=1750818 and Ward-Allen all the way from the world of underwater hockey https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroom/gareths-sporty-look-takes-him-all-the-way-to-world-championships

[ploughboy]

New Munster head coach all but confirmed

Munster look to be close to appointing their next boss after bookies suspended the market following a flurry of bets on Clayton McMillan...

[Machpants]

Not good for the chiefs

[jauzy019]

Braydon Ennor linked with a move to french club Perpignan (if they aren't relegated).

Mar 9  /  rugbyrama.fr,transferts

Le All Black Ennor pour finir le recrutement de Perpignan ?

À la lutte pour le maintien dans l’élite, Perpignan cherche tout de même à se renforcer pour le futur. En ce sens, les dirigeants catalans travaillent la piste menant du centre des Crusaders, Braydon Ennor.

[jpnhigdud]

Idk where I should post it but have heard Ardie Savea will have another season for Kobe in 26.

[Canes4life]

@jpnhigdud said in Exodus:

Idk where I should post it but have heard Ardie Savea will have another season for Kobe in 26.

I thought he found his home at Moana etc. If you’re going to be the saviour of that club Ardie, you need to stay for at least a couple years. 🙄

If true, it’s a good thing he left the Canes.

[george33]

@jpnhigdud have actually heard same thing about 2 months ago, must be contract negotiations with Moana, set down from day 1.,

[zedsdeadbaby]

He had two sabbaticals from NZR when he signed https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/350350577/hurricanes-factor-ardie-saveas-second-sabbatical-clause-exit-moana-pasifika