Exodus
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We already knew he was going to Japan, but I'm not sure whether it's been posted before which club Gerard Cowley-Tuioti will be playing for. It's Kobe Kobelco Steelers.
https://www.kobelcosteelers.com/news/team_info/2021/09/content-5.html
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The Crusaders posted a tweet about Whetu Douglas leaving the franchise, with a Japanese flag in their tweet.
I looked it up, and he's signed with NEC Green Rockets:
https://twitter.com/nec_gr_official/status/1440527130228518928
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Coby Miln (Waikato?) has signed with Manukata Sanix Blues. Not sure he's ever played NPC?
https://rugby.sanix.jp/topics/2021/9/fc152bdec7acc2e7c569358870f0e86a.html
@stargazer Only pre-season games. He hasn't made the main squad over the last 2 seasons. A 1st 5/fullback who played his club rugby for Hautapu.
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TJ Faiane's new club in Japan is Hino Red Dolphins.
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The Manawatū Turbos have released prop Tietie Tuimauga from his contract for the remainder of the Bunnings Warehouse NPC.
The 28-year-old Samoan international has signed a deal with Irish side Connacht.
Varsity prop Flynn Yates, who was initially called into the side as injury cover for Ropate Rinakama, will remain with the team as cover.https://www.turbosrugby.co.nz/news/tuimauga-release-from-turbos
Media release Connacht:
https://www.connachtrugby.ie/samoan-international-prop-tietie-tuimauga-joins-connacht/ -
I see former Taniwha hooker Matt Moulds is on the bench for Gloucester this weekend...had been looking to return to NZ (I believe NRU even spoke to him early this year for this NPC season) after injury issues at Worcester, but has spent the past few months travelling around Europe, joined Gloucester in late September as injury cover.
https://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/news/matt-moulds-joins-gloucester-rugby-on-short-term-deal
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It was mentioned that Dylan Nel was playing his last game for Otago tonight, as was Aso for Wellington yesterday. Does that mean that the players who have signed for Japanese clubs have to leave NZ very soon unless they have negotiated to stay a little longer? Obviously the extended NPC as complicated matters for players and coaches.
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Gregor Paul is tipping DMac to stay overseas next year.
Gregor Paul is tipping DMac to stay overseas next year.
I'm not surprised by that. He's unlikely to ever be a consistent starter again, and his only chance would be to usurp both Mo'unga and Barrett at 10. So, squaddie here or dollars there? He could still come home in 5 years and get his few caps to get to 100 for the Chiefs. I haven't expected to have him back since he signed.
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Gregor Paul is tipping DMac to stay overseas next year.
I'm not surprised by that. He's unlikely to ever be a consistent starter again, and his only chance would be to usurp both Mo'unga and Barrett at 10. So, squaddie here or dollars there? He could still come home in 5 years and get his few caps to get to 100 for the Chiefs. I haven't expected to have him back since he signed.
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@gt12 Remember that DMac hasn't been to a RWC and that will be a huge carrot.
He might have a big fight on his hands to be the third 10/ 2nd or third FB option after a year away. He'd have to come back and force his way in during the year of the event. And, there is lots of quality coming through (Sullivan for example and perhaps Love) too.
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Frizzell would be the loose forward I would pick to leave. Maybe Jacobson with his history of injuries and concussions.
I wonder which props, other than Ta'avao?
Frizzell would be the loose forward I would pick to leave. Maybe Jacobson with his history of injuries and concussions.
I wonder which props, other than Ta'avao?
Did he specify that it was a current AB or AB? I couldn't read the article.
I'd look at those who appear to have lost their spots, such as Hodgeman or those under pressure, such as Big Karl. Beyond that, former ABs such as Moli or .
If it is a current AB, apart from Ta'avao (the obvious choice), my feeling would be Ofa who doesn't appear to be preferred over Laulala - if that happened at Super level as well, then...
For the hookers, I'd say Coles or Harris or Coltman (depending on definition of current or former) would all be receiving offers and I wouldn't be surprised to see all of them overseas.
For loosies it could also be players like Evans, but I wonder whether Cane sees the writing on the wall and perhaps sees that the time to get his cash is now. He got fucked over at the last world cup and hasn't been guaranteed the captaincy, so looking forward you've have to wonder if he'll make 2023.
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Hodgeman
Can't understand why he wasn't ahead of Bower, KarlT, or especially de Groot. Had a good season and is a much better all round player than anyone except peak form Moody.
I (mostly) agree but can only assume that the coaches have some stats that we don’t see or just don’t trust his set piece work. He’s the sort of player I’d like to have in NZ but if you’ve been overtaken by Bower I’d say you may as well go overseas.
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Foster seems reasonably confident that DMac will sign a NZR contract after his Japanese sabbatical, like Tuipulotu has done.
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Foster seems reasonably confident that DMac will sign a NZR contract after his Japanese sabbatical, like Tuipulotu has done.
That's hopeful, at least. I'd like him back, only because at Super level he can be the difference maker for the Chiefs (assuming he comes back). If he ever learns to play within himself a bit more at 10 he probably has the ceiling to be a starting 10 for the ABs.
