Exodus
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https://www.rugbypass.com/news/six-former-all-blacks-eligible-for-new-nations-in-2025/
The Ioane eligibility keeps getting mis-stated
Now plying his trade in Japan with Hanazono Kintetsu Liners, Ioane is out of the All Blacks picture entirely and can offer his physicality to his nation of birth, Japan, or the nation his father represented, Samoa.
He clarified last year that he was not born in Japan. Somehow it got on the AllBlacks website years ago but they've fixed it now
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North Harbour Lock Mahonri Ngakuru is at Montpellier as injury cover for Paul Willemse, according to L'Equipe.
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Joshua Smith ('24 NZ U20s, Hawke's Bay), the young tighthead prop, is now apparently playing for the Western Force. I had completely missed this news so was quite surprised when I saw him suddenly appear in the Brumbies-Force game.
I can't find an official announcement either but it looks like he's an injury replacement for Atu Moli. Surprising to see such a promising young tight forward play for the Force, hopefully he finds his way back to an NZ team in the near future. Very good piece of recruiting by the Force, either way.
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Joshua Smith ('24 NZ U20s, Hawke's Bay), the young tighthead prop, is now apparently playing for the Western Force. I had completely missed this news so was quite surprised when I saw him suddenly appear in the Brumbies-Force game.
I can't find an official announcement either but it looks like he's an injury replacement for Atu Moli. Surprising to see such a promising young tight forward play for the Force, hopefully he finds his way back to an NZ team in the near future. Very good piece of recruiting by the Force, either way.
Joshua Smith ('24 NZ U20s, Hawke's Bay), the young tighthead prop, is now apparently playing for the Western Force. I had completely missed this news so was quite surprised when I saw him suddenly appear in the Brumbies-Force game.
I can't find an official announcement either but it looks like he's an injury replacement for Atu Moli. Surprising to see such a promising young tight forward play for the Force, hopefully he finds his way back to an NZ team in the near future. Very good piece of recruiting by the Force, either way.
Probably not too surprising as Western Force assistant Ozich is a former HB coach.
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Joshua Smith ('24 NZ U20s, Hawke's Bay), the young tighthead prop, is now apparently playing for the Western Force. I had completely missed this news so was quite surprised when I saw him suddenly appear in the Brumbies-Force game.
I can't find an official announcement either but it looks like he's an injury replacement for Atu Moli. Surprising to see such a promising young tight forward play for the Force, hopefully he finds his way back to an NZ team in the near future. Very good piece of recruiting by the Force, either way.
Probably not too surprising as Western Force assistant Ozich is a former HB coach.
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.
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Joshua Smith ('24 NZ U20s, Hawke's Bay), the young tighthead prop, is now apparently playing for the Western Force. I had completely missed this news so was quite surprised when I saw him suddenly appear in the Brumbies-Force game.
I can't find an official announcement either but it looks like he's an injury replacement for Atu Moli. Surprising to see such a promising young tight forward play for the Force, hopefully he finds his way back to an NZ team in the near future. Very good piece of recruiting by the Force, either way.
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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.
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@Machpants that's insane. Even for a
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@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.
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@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.
@sparky Him and Jimmy Gopperth battling out to see who will be last man standing from the lions 2002 team
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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.
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
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Braydon Ennor linked with a move to french club Perpignan (if they aren't relegated).
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Idk where I should post it but have heard Ardie Savea will have another season for Kobe in 26.
@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.
