Exodus

Bones

@Stargazer said in Exodus:

@SouthernMann So Zebre has now signed both Paea and Gregory?

Oh that's delicious.

frugby

@Bones Zebre fans don't deserve such pain!

Kiwidom

@friedrugby Rather them than highlanders fans !

Stargazer

Leicester Fainga'anuku's move to France and signing with Toulon has finally been confirmed. He's signed an 18-month contract, starting after the RWC and finishing at the end of the 2024-2025 Top 14 season. Considering his young age, he could even come back to Super Rugby after that stint.

Pauline Lancien

Accueil - RCT - Rugby Club Toulonnais

Le RCT se félicite de la signature de l’un des plus grands potentiels du rugby mondial. La pépite All Blacks Leicester Fainga’Anuku, révélation de la dernière saison internationale au sein de la ligne d’attaque néo-zélandaise, fait à seulement 23 ans le choix du Top 14, le championnat professionnel...

Jailbreak7

@Stargazer That is so shit. Just read on rugbypass too. I know only only an 18 month deal, but jeez I'm sure he will play a big part for us in RWC. You'd think he might hang around for Razors inaugural year in 24.

Stargazer

@Jailbreak7 I wonder whether he signed with Toulon very early in the year. I read the first rumours in Rugbyrama in February. Maybe he couldn't get out of the contract, but managed to reduce the length of it? Just speculating, of course, but he has more than enough time to return to SR and compete for a spot in the ABs for the 2027 RWC. It's very similar to Dmac's and TJP's stint in Japan. No SR contract at the end of his French contract, but probably no problem getting one if he wants to return.

Stargazer

Bovidae

Gatland is off-contract so no surprise. Kobelco will pay him well.

Tim

Huge loss for Harbour.

Stargazer

@Tim Yep, Harbour finished as high as they did on the table thanks to him. Easily their best player in 2022.

But ... will he leave for Japan before or after the NPC? That media release doesn't mention it and Harbour hasn't posted anything on their socials (yet). Or does his injury prevent him from playing NPC?

Bovidae

@Stargazer You posted this in the Chiefs 2023 thread.

Crucial

@Stargazer

But ... will he leave for Japan before or after the NPC? That media release doesn't mention it and Harbour hasn't posted anything on their socials (yet). Or does his injury prevent him from playing NPC?

As per the post above and this article https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/132293400/chiefs-pivot-bryn-gatland-to-join-all-black-brodie-retallick-at-japanese-club I'd say no chance of NPC