Exodus 2016

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jauzy19" data-cid="587985" data-time="1465924457">
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Hooker Quentin MacDonald (Blues) joins french club Oyonnax on a 2-year deal.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.usorugby.com/quentin-macdonald-rejoint-lus-oyonnax-rugby/'>http://www.usorugby.com/quentin-macdonald-rejoint-lus-oyonnax-rugby/</a>
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Mako$ suddenly leaking stalwarts - Banks, Wheeler, MacDonald.
 
Quentin had a serious knee injury and never seemed quite the same player after he came back - especially with ball in hand.

Provincial Stalwart

I will follow this story with interest, although I daresay Hansen and co will be more interested than I. Certainly Faumuina appears to be set to stay for the Lions tour judging by the report, but if the signing eventuates he is certainly risking getting axed when Laulala returns or if Tu'ungafasi or another tighthead develops at pace.
 
Due to his current ranking as clear #2 tighthead and bench weapon, he will be missed there's no doubt. Faumuina is not a star AB as he is stuck behind a similar aged man in Franks who seldom gets injured (Franks will end up with 120+ test caps if he stays fit through to RWC 2019). However this situation to me, in playing terms, is more of a blow than the Piutau defection (Piutau was maybe a squad certainty but had to start to make the matchday 23). The other main differentiation with Piutau is the "underhand" circumstances in which Piutau signed. Faumuina is about 5 years older than Piutau but being a prop (compared to an outside back) may actually have a similar longevity.
 
Financial security and less travel is obviously a massive pull factor for family men rugby players. As for push factors, it's hard to say. Faumuina's wife was assaulted (while pregnant) a couple of years back by some pieces of shit and that court process dragged on. I'm not sure how badly that incident and its aftermath affects his family's desire to live in Auckland (probably somewhat at least) but perhaps a change of scene was attractive as well as the coin.

Derm McCrum

Not exactly an exodus story but Leinster have announced that they've hired Graham Henry as a coaching advisor for start of next season. Good proactive move by Leo Cullen to get some coaching advice for himself and his coaching team for a short-term arrangement, and to avoid being replaced as happened with Foley in Munster. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/pro12/leinster-hire-graham-henry-as-coaching-consultant-1.2687659'>http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/pro12/leinster-hire-graham-henry-as-coaching-consultant-1.2687659</a>

jauzy19

Tanerau Latimer (Blues) linked with a move to french club Bayonne.

Hooroo

I keep forgetting he is even back in NZ

Stargazer

Not really an exodus, but I thought this was the best place to post it.
 
Former-Hurricanes (etc) and former-Magpies Alby Mathewson and Karl Lowe have signed with Pro D2 club Provence Rugby. Their signing is under the condition that the club will stay in the Pro D2 competition and won't be relegated to the next tier down, FÃ©dÃ©rale 1.
 
Provence Rugby (formerly called Pays d'Aix) finished last during the regular 2015-2016 season - after having been promoted to Pro D2 the year before - and would normally be relegated. However, as I understand it, clubs in Pro D2 need to pass a financial audit. If they don't pass this audit, they will be relegated for financial reasons. As two clubs are relegated each year from Pro D2, Provence Rugby will be able to stay in the Pro D2 if it passes its financial audit and two other Pro D2 teams don't pass (or the teams to be promoted from FÃ©dÃ©rale 1 don't pass). The Pro D2 website already mentions that one club (Tarbes) will be relegated. Three other clubs have also not passed their financial audits and will be relegated if their appeal procedures are unsuccessful. So it seems to depend on the outcome of these procedures whether Provence Rugby will stay in the Pro D2, and thus whether Mathewson and Lowe will join the club.
 
Provence Rugby is a club that normally sits at the bottom of Pro D2 or the top of FÃ©dÃ©rale 1, so promoting and relegating regularly. Not really a great club in sporting terms, but perhaps the money is good and the Provence is - I think - an attractive province to live. Both players are over 30 after all, and have young families.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.provencerugby.com/actualite/a-la-une/effectif-20162017-les-arrivees/'>http://www.provencerugby.com/actualite/a-la-une/effectif-20162017-les-arrivees/</a>
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.provencerugby.com/actualite/a-la-une/mathewson-et-loamanu-dans-le-projet-pro-d2/'>http://www.provencerugby.com/actualite/a-la-une/mathewson-et-loamanu-dans-le-projet-pro-d2/</a>
 
PS: another former Magpie - RÃ©gis Lespinas - has also joined the club.
 
Edit: Provence Rugby plays in black or black and white. Maybe that's why they signed ;)

Milk

Last I heard Alby was trying to get dispensation from the ARU to continue playing at the Force (apparently they cap the tenure of their imports). So I guess he either didn't get that or he realised the Force sux.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Milk" data-cid="590303" data-time="1466514423">
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Last I heard Alby was trying to get dispensation from the ARU to continue playing at the Force (apparently they cap the tenure of their imports). So I guess he either didn't get that or he realised the Force sux.
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Yes, I read that, too. Or maybe there's truth in the rumours that the Force may be ditched after the 2017 season and he's taking the opportunity to earn better money in Europe before that happens.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jauzy19" data-cid="589761" data-time="1466325402">
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Tanerau Latimer (Blues) linked with a move to french club Bayonne.
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Confirmed, signed for 2 seasons: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www2.abrugby.fr/article/22/06/2016/l-effectif-de-l-aviron-bayonnais-pour-la-saison-16-17-1247'>http://www2.abrugby.fr/article/22/06/2016/l-effectif-de-l-aviron-bayonnais-pour-la-saison-16-17-1247</a>
 
Tom Donnelly named in their 2016/17 squad as well.

Stargazer

Confirmed: Cory Jane will play for Toshiba Brave Lupus in the Japanese Top League. It doesn't say for how many seasons, but he still has a year on his Hurricanes contract.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx?from=&to=en&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.toshiba.co.jp%2Fsports%2Frugby%2Ftopics%2Findex.htm%23t160630'>http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx?from=&to=en&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.toshiba.co.jp%2Fsports%2Frugby%2Ftopics%2Findex.htm%23t160630</a>
 
original link: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.toshiba.co.jp/sports/rugby/topics/index.htm#t160630'>http://www.toshiba.co.jp/sports/rugby/topics/index.htm#t160630</a>

mariner4life

Joe Tomane joins Montpellier from the Brumbies. The Wallabies are getting hit pretty hard this year.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="593035" data-time="1467265714">
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Confirmed: Cory Jane will play for Toshiba Brave Lupus in the Japanese Top League. It doesn't say for how many seasons, but he still has a year on his Hurricanes contract.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx?from=&to=en&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.toshiba.co.jp%2Fsports%2Frugby%2Ftopics%2Findex.htm%23t160630'>http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx?from=&to=en&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.toshiba.co.jp%2Fsports%2Frugby%2Ftopics%2Findex.htm%23t160630</a>
 
original link: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.toshiba.co.jp/sports/rugby/topics/index.htm#t160630'>http://www.toshiba.co.jp/sports/rugby/topics/index.htm#t160630</a>
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Who's gonna run the Gym ?

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="594157" data-time="1467695703">
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Who's gonna run the Gym ?
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Id say their business partner will...

Stargazer

The media are reporting that Andrew Horrell will play for Coca Cola Red Sparks for the next two Top League seasons. Not really a surprise to Magpies fans, who already knew he wouldn't play Mitre 10 Cup this year, but now finally a bit more details of where he's heading.
 
He only had a one year contract with the Chiefs, and the article on stuff says that Horrell doesn't yet know whether he'll return to Super Rugby next season.
 
Horrell is the proof that being versatile doesn't always work in your favour. He's a really good player, who maybe could have sealed a spot for himself a couple of years ago if he had been a specialist. I think this is the right time for him to move on and earn some coin.
 
Haven't seen any official confirmation yet.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/81797541/chiefs-utility-andrew-horrell-heading-to-japan-unsure-if-hell-return-to-super-rugby'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/81797541/chiefs-utility-andrew-horrell-heading-to-japan-unsure-if-hell-return-to-super-rugby</a>

Billy Tell

He's been a bit hit by injuries too which hasn't helped. One of those very handy squad players, a couple of seasons back he was in enough form that I wondered (briefly) about higher honours.

Bovidae

The same reporter mentioned something last week. Horrell is a useful squad member these days but not a starter. A good move for him.

SammyC

I think he's achieved a lot for his talent.
 
Another club player I didn't think would go very far.
 
Definately the right time to make the move

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="594342" data-time="1467762098">
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I think he's achieved a lot for his talent.
 
Another club player I didn't think would go very far.
 
Definately the right time to make the move
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You are fashioning (self noting) a reputation as someone who doesn't really recognise club talent ;).

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="594438" data-time="1467775447">
You are fashioning (self noting) a reputation as someone who doesn't really recognise club talent ;).</blockquote>
I knew you'd say something 
At least I'm out there watching, not swanning around Sydney nightclubs and beaches :) 
He's been good for the Chiefs, but don't agree with whoever above had him in the ABs mix

reprobate

i reckon he should have stuck with centre. smart player, uses space well, very good hands.
 
bit little for 12, bit slow for 15, not a good enough boot for 10.

The Silver Fern

Exodus 2016