Exodus

[Mauss]

@Bovidae There's a good chance Smith will see plenty of game time for the Force, with Johnson-Holmes gone for the season and Tauakipulu still having his issues in the scrum. Will be interesting to see how he goes.

[Nepia]

@Mauss said in Exodus:

I suppose I meant surprising more in the sense that I would've expected the Hurricanes to keep someone like Smith close

You realise this is the Canes and Smith is/was signed with the Magpies?

[Machpants]

The man's a machine

https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/02/26/maa-nonu-joins-french-club-toulon-until-the-end-of-the-season/

[antipodean]

@Machpants that's insane. Even for a

[sparky]

@Machpants said in Exodus:

The man's a machine

https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/02/26/maa-nonu-joins-french-club-toulon-until-the-end-of-the-season/

Ma'a Nonu made his NPC debut for Wellington in August 2002. And he's still a professional Rugby Player. Different gravy.

[DurryMexted]

@sparky Him and Jimmy Gopperth battling out to see who will be last man standing from the lions 2002 team

[Higgins]

@Mauss said in Exodus:

@Nepia said in Exodus:

Probably not too surprising as Western Force assistant Ozich is a former HB coach.

I suppose I meant surprising more in the sense that I would've expected the Hurricanes to keep someone like Smith close to the top team. The Canes have good depth at tighthead (Lomax, Tosi, Mafileo, Lauaki) but I rate Smith's scrummaging ability higher than someone like Lauaki.

The Hurricanes Hunters recently had players like Gareth Ward-Allen and Peter Seeling playing at tighthead, so it's not like the depth goes much beyond those four aforementioned players.

I don't have my finger on the pulse of the club and school scene in Wellington as much as I used to so assume these two players must have slipped my notice being fluffed beyond belief at Scots College.

EDIT A bit of searching reveals my previous thoughts might be a little wide of the mark! In the case of Peter Seeling it looks to be a remarkable rise from the 2024 Manawatu B Team https://www.manawaturugby.co.nz/newsarticle/143087?newsfeedId=1750818 and Ward-Allen all the way from the world of underwater hockey https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroom/gareths-sporty-look-takes-him-all-the-way-to-world-championships

[ploughboy]

New Munster head coach all but confirmed

Munster look to be close to appointing their next boss after bookies suspended the market following a flurry of bets on Clayton McMillan...

[Machpants]

Not good for the chiefs

[jauzy019]

Braydon Ennor linked with a move to french club Perpignan (if they aren't relegated).

Mar 9  /  rugbyrama.fr,transferts

Le All Black Ennor pour finir le recrutement de Perpignan ?

À la lutte pour le maintien dans l’élite, Perpignan cherche tout de même à se renforcer pour le futur. En ce sens, les dirigeants catalans travaillent la piste menant du centre des Crusaders, Braydon Ennor.

[jpnhigdud]

Idk where I should post it but have heard Ardie Savea will have another season for Kobe in 26.

[Canes4life]

@jpnhigdud said in Exodus:

Idk where I should post it but have heard Ardie Savea will have another season for Kobe in 26.

I thought he found his home at Moana etc. If you’re going to be the saviour of that club Ardie, you need to stay for at least a couple years. 🙄

If true, it’s a good thing he left the Canes.

[george33]

@jpnhigdud have actually heard same thing about 2 months ago, must be contract negotiations with Moana, set down from day 1.,

[zedsdeadbaby]

He had two sabbaticals from NZR when he signed https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/350350577/hurricanes-factor-ardie-saveas-second-sabbatical-clause-exit-moana-pasifika