Exodus 2018
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Damian McKenzie.
Not.
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Still no official confirmation, but it's in the media again. West is one thing, but I hate the idea of Buckman going as well.
Considering the Magpies will be playing without two of their senior backs from recent seasons, Highlander and 2017 back-of-the-year Richard Buckman and Maori All Blacks and Hurricanes first five-eighth Ihaia West, Magpies fans should be happy with a semifinal finish this season. Buckman will head to Japan and West to France after their respective Super Rugby campaigns.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12014452
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According to French paper La Montagne, Jordan Manihera was close to being signed by Top 14 club Brive as injury cover for one of their injured players (Tasi Luafutu). Manihera had already arrived in France (end of February) and undergone medical tests. In the end, the French League International de Rugby didn't allow the signing because clubs are only allowed to sign players as injury cover if the injured player will be unavailable for at least 3 months, which wasn't the case for Luafutu.
The paper says Manihera has returned to NZ, but it cannot be excluded that he will join Brive next season.
Nothing official yet, but damn, IMO this is one of those players you don't want to see going overseas.
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Leroy Van Dam joins English club Jersey : https://www.jerseyreds.je/news/2017-18/four-more-signings-for-2018-19-campaign.aspx
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Michael Fatialofa has signed with Worcester Warriors.
HURRICANES WISH FATIALOFA WELL FOR FUTURE
Thu 29th Mar The Hurricanes would like to wish lock Michael Fatialofa all the best for his future beyond 2018 after he today confirmed he would be joining English Premiership club Worcester Warriors. Fatialofa, 25, has played a significant role for the Hurricanes since he joined the club in 2016, helping it win its first Investec Super Rugby title the same year. The 1.99m Fatialofa suffered a serious knee injury last season but has worked tremendously hard to return and be part of the 2018 campaign as he builds back to his best form. Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd said Fatialofa would continue to play a leading role in the squad's progression through the season. "Michael has been an integral part of the squad during his time at the club, especially in 2016 when we won the title," he said. "His form that season played a big part in our title win and we know he would like to be part of another memorable season and have a big hand in it. In saying that, we will wish him all the best for his future at Worcester when the time comes." -
@stargazer Any idea on if he is leaving after Super Rugby or after NPC? Auckland are getting very low on locks.
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@kiwimurph said in Exodus 2018:
@stargazer Any idea on if he is leaving after Super Rugby or after NPC? Auckland are getting very low on locks.
According to Worcester Warriors' media release, Fatialofa will join them after the Mitre 10 Cup, so he'll play for Auckland.
https://warriors.co.uk/2018/03/28/warriors-sign-hurricanes-lock-fatialofa/
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Sucks to lose Fatialofa - a really valuable member of the team. Will be missed, especially with Shields going too.
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@paekakboyz I kind of expect the announcement of Scott Barrett signing for the Hurricanes any minute now.
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@stargazer that would be interesting. While SB has played in black I think I'd rather keep Fatialofa. While SB is solid as, and does have potential, I wouldn't see him as significantly better that Fatialofa.
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@paekakboyz Unfortunately, we'll never know how good Fatialofa could have been (in SR, or even on the next level), due to his bad luck with injuries. SB is a good lock, with AB experience, who can also play at 6, so that's an attractive 'extra' for the Canes, especially because Shields is going as well. For him, the consideration might well be that he can play with his brothers in SR, for the same team his old man used to play for. .... But he may also opt to stay at the Crusaders, because continuing to play with Sam Whitelock will be good for his further development (he is only 24) and his AB prospects. We'll see.
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@higgins said in Exodus 2018:
Christian Lloyd must be almost due to be wheeled out again and be awarded another contract, not to mention another like James Blackwell. Interesting to note Anthony Pettit moving from Johnsonville to MSP, got to be some hint there as well?
I thought Lloyd have given up altogether. Bad run of big injuries stopped any early career advancement. Unless I am getting him mixed up with someone else I think he was also studying at med school?
Only reference I can find on google is this in a stuff article"But Broadhurst isn't the only one. Prop John Schwalger and lock Christian Lloyd are other recent Hurricanes to be forced into retirement by chronic injuries."
