Exodus 2016

SouthernMan

Marty Banks is leaving the Highlanders for some team in Italy. I'm absolutely gutted.

Wurzel

First I've heard of it

SouthernMan

<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/79977891/highlanders-pivot-marty-banks-signs-deal-with-italian-side-bennetton-for-next-season'>http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/79977891/highlanders-pivot-marty-banks-signs-deal-with-italian-side-bennetton-for-next-season</a>

Crazy Horse

I am hearing rumours Banks is off to some Italian club. Anyone know if this is true...?

Stargazer

Okay, because some people still don't believe Marty Banks is off to Treviso later in the year, here is the official announcement from Treviso. In Italian. Copy and paste in google translate and you'll understand enough of it. 
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.benettonrugby.it/novita.aspx?idC=3998'>http://www.benettonrugby.it/novita.aspx?idC=3998</a>

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="579600" data-time="1463166986">
<div>
Beale for NZ$1.6M a season.
 
That's probably $600,000 more than the AB captains yearly salary.
 
Be concerned.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Mixed week for Kurtley - signs a $1.6 million contract - then lasts 41 seconds for the 'tahs before he's stretchered off.
 
Looked quite serious. Hope he updated his insurance in the interim.

Stargazer

Yeah, looked bad. Always hate seeing players being stretchered off. Don't think he'll bother the Crusaders next week. Not that they have anything to worry about the Tahs. This Tahs v Bulls game is awful. First try/points scored after 34 minutes.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="579781" data-time="1463221437">
<div>
Yeah, looked bad. Always hate seeing players being stretchered off. Don't think he'll bother the Crusaders next week. Not that they have anything to worry about the Tahs. This Tahs v Bulls game is awful. First try/points scored after 34 minutes. 
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Hopefully not, but we need to be a bit wary of the 'tahs. Personnel-wise, I tend to think they're the strongest non-NZ team.
 
I see the 'tahs are expecting Beale is gone for the season - unfortunate way to end.

Stargazer

Tweet from the Ta$man Mako$ account: 

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
80 match Mako$ #60 <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://twitter.com/joey_wheelz'>@joey_wheelz</a> to join Suntory <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://twitter.com/sungoliath'>@sungoliath</a> immediately after Super season. We wish you well. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://twitter.com/hashtag/makoslegend?src=hash'>#makoslegend</a> <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://twitter.com/hashtag/FinsUp?src=hash'>#FinsUp</a>
</blockquote>
 
Not sure whether this means Joey Wheeler will also leave the Highlanders .. waiting for more news.
 
Edit: Apparently, Suntory have also signed George Smith, Christian Leali'ifano, Nigel Lam-Ah Wong and Solomon T-Pole for the 2016 Top League season.

Derm McCrum

Would be interesting to do a list of where all the good players have gone this NH season just finishing and are heading next NH season.
 
I suspect that for the most part, it's concentrated in England, France & Japan.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="580244" data-time="1463434683">
<div>
Tweet from the Ta$man Mako$ account: 

 
Not sure whether this means Joey Wheeler will also leave the Highlanders .. waiting for more news.
 
Edit: Apparently, Suntory have also signed George Smith, Christian Leali'ifano, Nigel Lam-Ah Wong and Solomon T-Pole for the 2016 Top League season.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Fucking poaching c#nts!

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="579781" data-time="1463221437">
<div>
Yeah, looked bad. Always hate seeing players being stretchered off. Don't think he'll bother the Crusaders next week. Not that they have anything to worry about the Tahs. This Tahs v Bulls game is awful. First try/points scored after 34 minutes. 
</div>
</blockquote>
Yes it certainly was. Thank fuck I didn't pay too much to go and watch it.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="580244" data-time="1463434683">
<div>
Tweet from the Ta$man Mako$ account: 

 
Not sure whether this means Joey Wheeler will also leave the Highlanders .. waiting for more news.
 
Edit: Apparently, Suntory have also signed George Smith, Christian Leali'ifano, Nigel Lam-Ah Wong and Solomon T-Pole for the 2016 Top League season.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
From Stuff:
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
 
While the lofty lock has ruled himself out of Mako$ contention, at least for the time being, he is hoping to play Super Rugby next season. "I am still in negotiation with the Highlanders to come back next year. After so many years of service to NZ rugby you can qualify for an exemption to do what is called a split season â€¦ hopefully we can get that over the line and I can be back with the Highlanders next year." 
</blockquote>
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/80087823/wheeler-off-to-japan-will-miss-Mako$-season'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/80087823/wheeler-off-to-japan-will-miss-Mako$-season</a>

leytonandamanda

Willie le roux to join wasps and may retire from international rugby 
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Provincial Stalwart

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="579861" data-time="1463259952">
<div>
Hopefully not, but we need to be a bit wary of the 'tahs. Personnel-wise, I tend to think they're the strongest non-NZ team.
 
I see the 'tahs are expecting Beale is gone for the season - unfortunate way to end.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Six months was reported yesterday in Rugby Heaven...so season over. Poor bloke.

kiwiinmelb

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="leytonandamanda" data-cid="580457" data-time="1463515357">
<div>
Willie le roux to join wasps and may retire from international rugby 
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Thats a shame if he does , probably one of my favorite non NZ players , he is a bit different to most SA backs

Billy Tell

According to the herald, Jane & Buckman looking at Japan. They also don't seem to have caught up with the news that Osborne going to Japan. Not enough time on the fern clearly. 
Buckmans injury was the worst possible timing for any AB hopes.

Hooroo

<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/80166722/highlanders-resign-back-richard-buckman-to-super-rugby-for-two-more-years'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/80166722/highlanders-resign-back-richard-buckman-to-super-rugby-for-two-more-years</a>
 
Excellent! Still probably my favourite player!

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="580660" data-time="1463617330">
<div>
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/80166722/highlanders-resign-back-richard-buckman-to-super-rugby-for-two-more-years'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/80166722/highlanders-resign-back-richard-buckman-to-super-rugby-for-two-more-years</a>
 
Excellent! Still probably my favourite player!
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Hope we'll get some info soon on whether Buckman will be available for Mitre10 Cup as well. Didn't like those earlier reports that he might be heading to Japan at all.

SouthernMan

If they go to Japan they're ineligible for the All Blacks?
 
He would be silly to after Steve Hansen mentioned him a few weeks back on Veitchy's show, saying it was a blow he injured himself prior to the season getting underway.

The Silver Fern

Exodus 2016