Exodus
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I haven't been paying attention to signings in Europe other than in the major competitions, so this one had escaped my attention. The last 10 years or so, there have been quite a few Hawke's Bay players who have played a season (or part of a season) in Spain or Portugal. Often players at the very beginning (ex.: Joe 'Apikotoa) or at the end (ex.: Chris Eaton) of their rugby career. Here's another one.
Young Magpies lock Tiaki Fabish - who also played for the Super Rugby U20 winning Barbarians team in 2022 - is playing for Basque club Gernika Rugby Taldea (División de Honor, Spain).
This announcement is from October. -
@Stargazer said in Exodus:
I haven't been paying attention to signings in Europe other than in the major competitions, so this one had escaped my attention. The last 10 years or so, there have been quite a few Hawke's Bay players who have played a season (or part of a season) in Spain or Portugal. Often players at the very beginning (ex.: Joe 'Apikotoa) or at the end (ex.: Chris Eaton) of their rugby career. Here's another one.
Young Magpies lock Tiaki Fabish - who also played for the Super Rugby U20 winning Barbarians team in 2022 - is playing for Basque club Gernika Rugby Taldea (División de Honor, Spain).
This announcement is from October.Is that his dad's jersey?
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@Chris Yes, sadly, the announcements of the departures of PGS, Mo'unga and Frizell is only the start of probably a huge exodus post-RWC. I expect a much greater number of players to retire or leave for greener pastures after the 2023 RWC than we saw after the 2019 RWC. While a rejuvenation of the ABs and SR squads isn't necessarily a bad thing, it also means the loss of a huge amount of experience and rugby IQ on the two highest levels in NZ. We can only hope that the next generation is ready and good enough.
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I'm happy to chip in to expedite Frizzel's contract to next year. Who's with me?
RM and Frizell will probably be followed by a few more after the WC.
Beauden Barrett,Brodie Retallick,Sam Whitelock,RTS and Sam Cane leading the way.Maybe D Mac as well,
With sabbaticals for Ardie Savea and Reiko Ioane.Those ones are expected turnover so not all that concerning (all getting close to mid 30s) - well aside from RTS. But he should probably go now to get another year in with the Dolphins.
Although, I wonder if BBBR might carry on due to his frequent injury interruptions?
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RM and Frizell will probably be followed by a few more after the WC.
*Beauden Barrett,Brodie Retallick,Sam Whitelock,RTS and Sam Cane leading the way.Maybe D Mac as well,
With sabbaticals for Ardie Savea and Reiko Ioane.RTS should not be amongst those players, he's (like all short term League purchases) a waste of time and money for ABs
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@Machpants said in Exodus:
RM and Frizell will probably be followed by a few more after the WC.
*Beauden Barrett,Brodie Retallick,Sam Whitelock,RTS and Sam Cane leading the way.Maybe D Mac as well,
With sabbaticals for Ardie Savea and Reiko Ioane.RTS should not be amongst those players, he's (like all short term League purchases) a waste of time and money for ABs
That is why he will be off overseas or back to league after the WC.
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@Machpants said in Exodus:
RM and Frizell will probably be followed by a few more after the WC.
*Beauden Barrett,Brodie Retallick,Sam Whitelock,RTS and Sam Cane leading the way.Maybe D Mac as well,
With sabbaticals for Ardie Savea and Reiko Ioane.RTS should not be amongst those players, he's (like all short term League purchases) a waste of time and money for ABs
Yep, a few on here predicated all sorts of wonderful things for RTS on the Rugby Union field.
It’s a bit of an insult to the legacy of the others to post his name alongside those guys.
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RTS played well in SR and had a couple of promising games on the EOYT. He exceeded my expectations after missing out on an NPC last year.
I doubt he leaves Auckland again. Maybe he goes back to the Warriors but I would not be surprised to see him extend his Blues/NZR contract. Depends on how 2023 goes