Exodus
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@Stargazer said in Exodus:
As posted in the Highlanders 2023 thread:
Henry Bell has signed with Utah Warriors in the MLR.
https://www.warriorsrugby.com/news/warriors-sign-henry-bell/
Also to the MLR: Isaac Ross has signed with San Diego Legionn
Bell signing for a US team is a shocker, especially when he lost out to Apisai. Upto Highlanders?
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@Canes4life Looks like he has been sent away to be looked after by uncle Greg Cooper for a year and will then come back to the Otago/Highlanders fold. Dumb decision none the less to pounce on Leni Apisai
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Nick Grigg (in this year's Hawke's Bay squad) has signed an injury replacement contract with Carcassone in the French Pro D2 competition. Apparently, he already arrived there early this week!
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Bridge to Montpellier? Ben Lam is one of the other wingers there.
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Free Jacks add Waikato Captain and Super Rugby-Experienced Mitch Jacobson to 2023 Roster - New England Free Jacks
Quincy, MA — October 12, 2022 — The New England Free Jacks are excited to announce the signing of New Zealand back-rower Mitch Jacobson. The 26-year-old Cambridge, New Zealand native […]
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All Blacks and Hurricanes loose forward Ardie Savea has confirmed he will take an offshore playing break in 2024 before returning to rugby in New Zealand.
Under the terms of the four-year contract extension he signed with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) last year, the 67-Test All Black will transfer to Japan at the end of 2023.
The 29-year-old will then return to New Zealand in June 2024 and play through until the end of the 2025 season. -
The Canes definitely have the loosies to cover Ardie. Now I see why we signed Kirifi until 2025.
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thought i was the first to spot this
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@Kiwiwomble They have seriously miscalculated their new signings height by about ten or fifteen centimetres.
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@Kiwiwomble They have seriously miscalculated their new signings height by about ten or fifteen centimetres.
this motherfucker just will not stop growing!!
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@mariner4life said in Exodus:
@Kiwiwomble They have seriously miscalculated their new signings height by about ten or fifteen centimetres.
this motherfucker just will not stop growing!!
To be fair I’m pretty sure those were his stats from like 2016. Pretty sure he’s nearly 2 metres now.
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Liam Napier: Another All Blacks exodus? The growing queue of players leaving NZ
OPINION: A significant, disruptive rebuild could await the All Blacks.
At some point in the near future Ioane is expected to follow Ardie Savea, who this week announced he will join Kobe Steelers in 2024, Brodie Retallick, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie and Patrick Tuipulotu, among other recent high-profile deflections, to spend at least one year cashing in on Japan's enticing seven figure Top League wages.
Ioane is far from a lone ranger in that regard, with the number of All Blacks deflections post World Cup expected to hit double figures.
All Blacks captain Sam Cane has the option to trigger a one season leave clause in his contract through to 2025 following the World Cup.
Earlier this year 28-year-old Richie Mo'unga signalled his intent to spend one, possibly two years of his prime, in Japan. The Herald understands negotiations are close to being finalised on that front.
Barrett has fielded interest from French club Racing and others in Japan for his services beyond next year.
McKenzie, after playing one season with Tokyo Sungoliath, could also return to Japan.
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No doubt, more names will follow, but here are a few more MLR signings:
Tom Florence has signed with NOLA Gold (New Orleans) in the MLR (2023-2024)
https://www.nolagoldrugby.com/news/tom-florence-signs-with-the-gold/
Magpies hooker Gene Syminton has signed with Toronto Arrows in the MLR.
https://torontoarrows.com/news/signing-221011/
Magpies halfback Connor McLeod has signed with Utah Warriors in the MLR (multi-year deal).
https://www.warriorsrugby.com/news/warriors-sign-scrum-half-connor-mcleod/
I don't remember him, but former BOP/Manawatū/Chiefs WTG? wing/centre Taniela Filimone has signed with New England Free Jacks in the MLR.
Free Jacks Sign Explosive Wing and Center Taniela Filimone - New England Free Jacks
Quincy, MA — October 19, 2022 — The New England Free Jacks are excited to announce the signing of explosive Tongan backliner, Taniela Filimone. Born and raised on the island […]
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@Stargazer super rugby medical depth really getting roasted with guys Jacobson and Florence gone plus Moana Pacifica
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@muddyriver said in Exodus:
@Stargazer super rugby medical depth really getting roasted with guys Jacobson and Florence gone plus Moana Pacifica
Can't believe they were not picked up by other franchises. Poor really.
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@Stargazer said in Exodus:
I don't remember him, but former BOP/Manawatū/Chiefs WTG? wing/centre Taniela Filimone has signed with New England Free Jacks in the MLR.
Filimone was a player I was talking about earlier this year as a good option as the injury replacement for ALB. He was injured for most of this season for the Poo.
I don't blame the likes of Jacobson and Florence going if all they are offered in NZ is a WTG spot. That seems to suggest McMillan hasn't selected another specialist no.7 for the Chiefs.
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@Stargazer said in Exodus:
Ma'a Nonu going back for another season with San Diego Legion in the MLR:
Even seeing him walking through town recently trying to look all small and inconspicuous with the hoodie up and at the age of 40 he still looks a better bet than any AB midfielder we have currently.
He’s one of the only guys I can think of that maxed out on every Rugby skill there is to have.
God I miss Ma’a…..
Du renfort au centre : Nicholas Grigg est Carcassonnais !
