Exodus

[Stargazer]

Siate Tokolahi's destination is finally clear: he's going to Pau (2 year contract).

https://www.section-paloise.com/actualites/news/2689-la-saison-20-21-cloturee-cap-sur-21-22

[gt12]

@stargazer said in Exodus:

Siate Tokolahi's destination is finally clear: he's going to Pau (2 year contract).

https://www.section-paloise.com/actualites/news/2689-la-saison-20-21-cloturee-cap-sur-21-22

Who wouldn't? Good on him and have fun.

[Stargazer]

TBN's signing with Castres has been confirmed, this morning; he has signed a two-year contract.

Communication CO  /  Jun 15, 2021

Le CO officialise l'arrivée de 12 nouveaux joueurs - Castres Olympique

Le Castres Olympique est en mesure d’officialiser l’arrivée de 12 nouveaux joueurs pour la saison 2021/2022, dont Teariki Ben Nicholas et le jeune Antoine Zeghdar. Teariki Ben Nicholas, 25 ans, évolue au poste de 3e ligne. Ce joueur néo-zélandais s’est engagé pour 2 ans avec le Castres Olympique....

[Yeetyaah]

@stargazer that's unfortunate. I'd only assume no other Super side offered him a contract then? Obvs we don't know but man that's disappointing.

[mikey07]

@yeetyaah yeah I totally agree Canes could’ve had him instead of Prinseep. See they also signed Ben Botica

[Stargazer]

@mikey07 The Canes didn't sign TBN the past few years, when they could. The Highlanders didn't give him much game time. I forgot what the exact rumours about him were a few years ago (was it low workrate?), that were mentioned as a possible reason for the Canes not signing him. I have no idea, but maybe they are true? I'm not a huge fan of Prinsep, especially if he's blocking Flanders' path, but he's a huge workhorse. I never really understand the criticism he gets on the Fern, apart from that he plays for Canterbury.

[Bovidae]

If TBN signed for the Canes it would be for someone similar like Fifita. As @Stargazer says, Prinsep is an entirely different sort of player.

[mofitzy_]

Hate to bring it up, but he was involved in an off field incident. Might be a factor in teams decisions or maybe I'm just reading way too much into it.

[mikey07]

@stargazer the only thing I’ve seen him do is tackle makes very minimal metres like a certain dwarf lock, TBN brings flair, but I agree if we did have him he would be blocking Flanders so I guess it balances out.

[mikey07]

@bovidae yeah but they worked really well a few years ago when they were together for the Lions, I suppose the Canes management would make him change his game similar to Fifita and he would be as dynamic.

[Higgins]

@mikey07 I disagree. The only thing the Hurricanes coaching staff have managed to do to V. Fifita is to change him from a dynamic player who ranged out wide into a one off/two off
midfield bashing plodder

[Higgins]

@mikey07 said in Exodus:

@yeetyaah See they also signed Ben Botica

Yet another uninspiring selection from this mob if true. For the record he is something like 32 years of age and started just 21 of the 47 games for Bordeaux in the last two seasons, averaging something like 40 minutes field time per match

www. all.rugby/player/ben-botica

[mikey07]

@higgins sorry that’s what I was meaning had a screaming 18 month old when i was writing it

[bobily2]

Robert van Royen has reported on Twitter that Mataele is off to the Force

[mikey07]

@bobily2 I saw that aswell

[Stargazer]

@bobily2 Not surprised, if true. 1) He has committed to Fiji; 2) the Crusaders have several talented backs coming through and 3) he hasn't been quite the same as before his serious knee injury.

[Rapido]

Sadly, a born and raised Fijian moving from a NZ franchise to an Australian franchise, explains the mildly surprising (to me) selection of an NZ-central-contracted player in the Fijian national team.

[Stargazer]

Not confirmed by Panasonic, yet.

Chiefs flanker Lachlan Boshier has again missed All Blacks selection so will not be returning to the Super Rugby club next year, and will instead head to Japan after signing a deal with Panasonic.

The Japanese club will announce his signing later this month.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300335980/super-rugby-chiefs-flanker-lachlan-boshier-heading-to-japanese-club-panasonic

Anyone else think that - if missing out of the ABs is indeed an important reason for his move to Japan - he's giving up too easily? Some All Blacks have had to wait for years to be selected. Boshier has only been in the picture for about 2 years. That's not long at all. He's 26; he could have waited until after the RWC. Injuries happen.

It may just be Aaron Goile having a moan though.

[Bovidae]

Remember that Boshier is not even guaranteed to start for the Chiefs in 2022 so if he is going to go overseas and make some good money now is the time to do it. The players he is competing against for AB honours are all younger than him.

[Stargazer]

@bovidae said in Exodus:
Yeah, you're right (unless Cane breaks again, which unfortunately has happened often, the last few years). I guess I was a bit triggered by Aaron Goile's tone in the article.