Exodus

[Kiwidom]

Max Hicks confirmed as heading to France

[Daffy Jaffy]

Ricky Riccitelli off to Montpellier according to All.Rugby. Leaving the Blues now needing 2 new Hookers.

[Steven Harris]

@Daffy-Jaffy He would be handy off the bench for a certain big game this Saturday morning no offence to what’s behind Amua

[Duluth]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Exodus:

Ricky Riccitelli off to Montpellier according to All.Rugby. Leaving the Blues now needing 2 new Hookers.

Well the national selectors rated him as the 8th hooker (at best, it may be lower)

Crazy considering how well he played and that only 5 NZ hookers start in SR rugby each week

[Mr Fish]

Entirely possible he wasn't selected for the XV because they knew he was leaving.

[Bovidae]

If true, Riccitelli is still at the age to cash in with a big overseas contract. He has won everything in NZ, so no point staying when the AB coaches don't want him.

[Steven Harris]

@Daffy-Jaffy Is this All Rugby site reputable ?..producer friend of mine messaged the Blues and they have denied it although they would be unlikely to admit it

[Duluth]

@Steven-Harris said in Exodus:

@Daffy-Jaffy Is this All Rugby site reputable ?..producer friend of mine messaged the Blues and they have denied it although they would be unlikely to admit it

The site is usually accurate for European contracts

One possibility is that the move is after the 2025 season. RR is signed with the Blues for next year.

[Duluth]

I looked up the French newspaper report that All Rugby is repeating. It just says an agreement has been reached with RR, but no date is mentioned

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Steven-Harris All.Rugby referenced this article (in French) -
Google translation says -
Bernard Laporte announced it. “We leave ourselves the block of nine matches to start discussing the different issues,” assured the MHR rugby director at the beginning of October. But since the end of the summer, he and the staff have already completed a few.

According to our information, the club has obtained the agreement of Auckland Blues hooker, New Zealander Ricky Riccitelli (29 years old, 1.78 kg, 110 kg). Passed by the Hurricanes (2015-2021), he has a selection with the All Blacks XV, the reserve of the national team. In 39 matches with the Blues, he scored 14 tries.
https://www.midilibre.fr/2024/11/04/ca-bouge-au-mhr-le-neo-zelandais-ricky-riccitelli-donne-son-accord-au-moins-quatre-recrues-actees-a-montpellier-12302540.php

[george33]

@Steven-Harris I think he may be leaving, have talked to my source , sounded concerned about it, wouldn't deny it. Be massive blow if it is happening.

[Steven Harris]

@Daffy-Jaffy Thanks for that

[nostrildamus]

Didn't realize Ricky is only 29.

[Canes4life]

Run Ricky run, if NZ Rugby don't want you, cash in pal. Fuck em. He's definitely a top 5 hooker in New Zealand, crazy he didn't make the All Blacks XV squad.

[canefan]

@Canes4life said in Exodus:

Run Ricky run, if NZ Rugby don't want you, cash in pal. Fuck em. He's definitely a top 5 hooker in New Zealand, crazy he didn't make the All Blacks XV squad.

And now the nightmare becomes real, Cody will probably be out, I'd feel happier with Ricky on the bench instead of the greenhorns that were picked in the AB XV

[Tim]

[Daffy Jaffy]

[jauzy019]

Harry Plummer set to join french club Clermont in 2025.

https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2024/11/17/transferts-top-14-clermont-tient-son-futur-ouvreur-harry-plummer-devrait-sengager-prochainement-12327977.php

[Bones]

@jauzy019 good on him, can't see him cracking black with these shit selectors. Hopefully we get Mounga back to prove he's a poor man's Smith.

[African Monkey]

Bugger. He's been a great servant for the Blues. Real underrated player.