Exodus

[Stargazer]

@Higgins Yeah, I was surprised that Racing 92 signed him. Must have a good agent.

[African Monkey]

@Stargazer I see your point, but I just see it as another opportunity for another Samoan/Tongan to come into the side, and thats what its all about at the end of the day, and there's plenty of it floating around, especially with great provinces like Hawke's Bay providing plenty of opportunities for Island players 😉.

But yeah, if it wasn't for MP having a side in Super Rugby, a lot of these guys would be stuck playing club rugby which doesn't help the PI players progress.

[African Monkey]

@Stargazer And that is a great example of how MP is working. If it wasn't for MP having a side, a guy like him would be stuck in club rugby, but got a gig in SR and now has a top 14 contract.

[ARHS]

I thought a few were coming back to play for MP and their country. I see Leuia Nanai Tuala Puafisi Kapeli and Alatimu for starters. Is it just a coincidence they are back for npc?

[Higgins]

This thread might now become redundant given there probably won't be too many club owners up north getting their cheque books out for anyone connected with the ABs these last few years. We could well see a renaissance in what is left of Super Rugby with all our best players available for selection rather than having heaps of them buggering off chasing overseas riches.

[nzzp]

@Higgins Foster playing 3D CHESS while we're all playing Checkers. Powder dry for RWC.

/shakes head

[Daffy Jaffy]

[Stargazer]

Not really an exodus, because he's never been back playing in NZ, but posting it here anyway:

Ngani Laumape has signed with Kobe Kobelco Steeler in Japan. (So not Panasonic Wild Knights.)

2022-23シーズン　新加入選手（追加）のお知らせ｜コベルコ神戸スティーラーズ

[Stargazer]

Josh Goodhue has signed with Black Rams Tokyo.

2022-2023シーズン 新入団選手(追加)のお知らせ | 2022-2023シーズン | RICOH BlackRamsTokyo - リコーブラックラムズ東京

[Tim]

[gt12]

@Stargazer

Fantastic pickup for them. This year would be the year to go for a player like him.

[Stargazer]

Kayne Hamminton has signed with Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks, a club that earned promotion from the Japanese third division to the second.

iccadmin  /  Sep 8, 2022

新加入選手（追加）のご報告 | 清水建設江東ブルーシャークス

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[Bones]

@Stargazer shit that's confusing, who's the guy in the pic?

[Stargazer]

@Bones Thomas Nolan, a lock from Melbourne Rebels (never heard of him before).

[TheMojoman]

@gt12 said in Exodus:

@Stargazer

Fantastic pickup for them. This year would be the year to go for a player like him.

Agreed. Super solid and will be a loss for the Blues particularly if Romano isn’t coming back.

[jauzy019]

TH prop Nepo Laulala on his way to french club Toulouse in 2023.

Top 14: le pilier des All Blacks Laulala vers le Stade Toulousain

[Bovidae]

@jauzy019 Before or after the RWC?

[jauzy019]

@Bovidae after is he's selected

(otherwise before)

He will replace Charlie Faumuina who should retire at the end of the current season.

[Stargazer]

From that French article:

Car selon nos informations, son compatriote Nepo Laulala est en discussions avancées pour évoluer au Stade Toulousain dès la saison prochaine.

So it's an unconfirmed rumour and he's still in negotiation with Toulouse (and hasn't signed yet).
Doesn't mean it's not true or that he won't sign, but it's not a done deal just yet.

[Frye]

@jauzy019 said in Exodus:

TH prop Nepo Laulala on his way to french club Toulouse in 2023.

Top 14: le pilier des All Blacks Laulala vers le Stade Toulousain

Oh thank god. Unbelievable he's played so many tests.