Exodus
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Connacht have announced the signing Bay of Plenty number eight Abraham Papali’i ahead of next season.
New Zealander Papali’i arrives from Bay of Plenty where he was a key member of the squad that won the Mitre 10 Cup Championship last year. The Auckland-born duel code player started his rugby union career with North Harbour before being recruited into the New Zealand Warriors (rugby league) pathway. In 2015 Papali’i signed a two-year contract with the Sydney Roosters of the Australian National Rugby League.Following his time with the Roosters, Papali’i joined Lézignan Sangliers in the premier French Rugby League competition before the 6’4″ number eight returned to New Zealand and successfully restarted his rugby union career with Bay of Plenty.
“I am delighted to welcome Abraham to Connacht Rugby,” he said.
“Abraham is a powerful number eight who has all the attributes to become a really valuable player for us while furthering our options in the back-row. I know every Connacht supporter will be excited to see what he can offer.” -
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Exodus:
Connacht have announced the signing Bay of Plenty number eight Abraham Papali’i ahead of next season.
New Zealander Papali’i arrives from Bay of Plenty where he was a key member of the squad that won the Mitre 10 Cup Championship last year. The Auckland-born duel code player started his rugby union career with North Harbour before being recruited into the New Zealand Warriors (rugby league) pathway. In 2015 Papali’i signed a two-year contract with the Sydney Roosters of the Australian National Rugby League.Following his time with the Roosters, Papali’i joined Lézignan Sangliers in the premier French Rugby League competition before the 6’4″ number eight returned to New Zealand and successfully restarted his rugby union career with Bay of Plenty.
“I am delighted to welcome Abraham to Connacht Rugby,” he said.
“Abraham is a powerful number eight who has all the attributes to become a really valuable player for us while furthering our options in the back-row. I know every Connacht supporter will be excited to see what he can offer.”Did this guy fall out of favour at BoP or was he injured? Don't think he was named in the 23 for any of the finals last year.
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@Yeetyaah
He's grown on me but a he's taking the spot of a NZ eligible player so good luck and good riddance to him.Yeah he’s been good enough, but man we are not short of big pacy wings here, the canes coaching duo too in love with Saffas. Although I might be a bit happier if they did find a 2.5m lock!
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Both Michael Allardice and Tiaan Falcon have signed with Toyota Verblitz.
https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/gallagher-chiefs-bid-sayonara-to-Allardice-and-Falcon
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As usual the Chiefs hit fairly hard with overseas defections. Do we have a collective list of those unavailable for Super 2021? My notes have these:
Blues: Matt Duffie, Joe Marchant
Chiefs: Tumua Manu, Michael Allardice, Tiaan Falcon, Tyler Ardron, Brodie Retallick
Canes: Ben Lam
Highlanders: Rob Thompson, Jesse Parete
Crusaders: nil