Exodus 2016

[Stargazer]

Otago player Naulia Dawai, who has already played for Fiji, has signed a two-year deal with Connacht, starting after the Mitre 10 Cup.

http://www.connachtrugby.ie/dawai/#ConnachtNews

[Crucial]

@Bovidae said in Exodus 2016:

@Unco Agreed. The story I read was that the Chiefs weren't going to offer Marshall a new contract so it's not as if Ireland were knocking on his door.

I'm more than happy with Harris and Elliot and think Faiva would be a good choice as the 3rd hooker.

Don't forget CMs Sua. Has been strong in the scrum, accurate in the lineout and getting the odd try as well.

[Stargazer]

Ben Herring, who joined the Highlanders last year as a resource coach and is also the Otago assistant coach, is joining the Sunwolves and the Japanese national team for the next three years.

He will link up with former Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph as the new Japanese set-up fills with former Highlanders personnel.

Joseph, who is the head coach of Japan until the next World Cup, will be joined by Tony Brown as the attack coach for the national side after the Super rugby season finishes next year while Herring will join the side as the defence coach.

Simon Jones, who has worked with the Highlanders and other southern sporting teams, has joined the outfit as the head strength and conditioning coach.

Oct 12, 2016

Herring to coach in Japan

Another Highlanders coach is heading to Japan. Ben Herring, who joined the Highlanders last year as a resource coach and is also the Otago...

[Tregaskis]

That sounds like a Red* Herring that report.

*and white.

[Tregaskis]

@Tregaskis Dad joke

[Stargazer]

According to French media, Narbonne (French Pro D2) have signed Bay of Plenty prop Pingi Tala'apitanga on a short-term contract as injury cover for Tariel Ratianidze. Narbonne - the old club from Jerry Collins, which also has Stephen Brett, Piri Weepu, and Neemia Tialata in their squad - currently sits at the bottom of the Pro D2 table with 6 losses and 2 draws.

Pro D2 : Narbonne recrute le pilier droit samoan Pingi Tala'apitanga en joker

Le pilier droit Pingi Tala'apitanga va renforcer la lanterne rouge de Pro D2.

[Stargazer]

Waikato and former Chiefs lock Brian Alainu’uese has joined Glasgow Warriors on a short-term deal. He'll play for them as injury cover until the end of the Pro12 season.

http://www.glasgowwarriors.org/news/16/10/24/alainu’uese-joins-glasgow-warriors-waikato

[Tim]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/85773683/hickey-edwards-joining-french-rugby-club-bordeauxbegles

[MajorRage]

@Stargazer Doesn't surprise me to see Tialata down there. Didn't our resident French fella tell us that he was viewed as rubbish by all n sundry?

[Stargazer]

@MajorRage Don't remember, but maybe that's because I haven't been on the Fern long enough ...

Btw, Narbonne isn't doing quite as bad as I said two weeks ago (that's what happens if you're looking at other websites than the official ones). They're currently 11th (from 16 teams), having won 4 and having lost 4 games.

[KiwiMurph]

That article seems to suggest Hickey won't be around for next year's Mitre 10 Cup - good news - i'd much rather see the likes of Faiane and even Plummer introduced.

[Billy Tell]

[pukunui]

Funny 'highlights' package. The vision didn't match how much the commentators were raving on about him.
Some decent runs but a lot of them across field. The last one probably being the best.

Still don't understand why he left NZ. Could have been at the height of his career this year and next year against the Lions.

[Frye]

That wasn't a bad reel considering it was only one game. He was basically responsible for every attacking raid leading to points!

On a slight tangent, interesting to hear the Irish commentators compare Charlie to Forest Gump. Strange chaps.

[taniwharugby]

@pukunui this is why

[pukunui]

@taniwharugby said in Exodus 2016:

@pukunui this is why

Well yeah clearly that is why but its not as if he was on minimum wage in NZ and few years more as an AB could have seen him worth even more up north.

Some decent play in that clip but not what i would call "incredible" like the title and commentators suggest.

[antipodean]

From what I've read the offer was about two-three times what he could have expected to earn in NZ. Added to that was the consideration of coming from a large family and feeling obligated to support them as well as he could during his short professional career.

[taniwharugby]

yeah the lure of the Black jersey may be strong, but a big stack of Euros to a young fella would be mighty tempting, and I guess he thought I'm young, I can play for a few years, make loads and come back and have another tilt at a black jersey...

[cgrant]

Would he be a certain starter in the AB team if he was still in NZ ? Not sure of this with so many talented players around (Smith, NMS, Dagg, Savea, Naholo, Ioane ...).

[kiwiinmelb]

@cgrant said in Exodus 2016:

Would he be a certain starter in the AB team if he was still in NZ ? Not sure of this with so many talented players around (Smith, NMS, Dagg, Savea, Naholo, Ioane ...).

No , not a certain starter but would certainly be a handy addition to our depth