Exodus
-
At some point in the near future Ioane is expected to follow Ardie Savea, who this week announced he will join Kobe Steelers in 2024, Brodie Retallick, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie and Patrick Tuipulotu, among other recent high-profile deflections, to spend at least one year cashing in on Japan's enticing seven figure Top League wages.
Ioane is far from a lone ranger in that regard, with the number of All Blacks deflections post World Cup expected to hit double figures.
All Blacks captain Sam Cane has the option to trigger a one season leave clause in his contract through to 2025 following the World Cup.
Earlier this year 28-year-old Richie Mo'unga signalled his intent to spend one, possibly two years of his prime, in Japan. The Herald understands negotiations are close to being finalised on that front.
Barrett has fielded interest from French club Racing and others in Japan for his services beyond next year.
McKenzie, after playing one season with Tokyo Sungoliath, could also return to Japan.
-
No doubt, more names will follow, but here are a few more MLR signings:
Tom Florence has signed with NOLA Gold (New Orleans) in the MLR (2023-2024)
https://www.nolagoldrugby.com/news/tom-florence-signs-with-the-gold/
Magpies hooker Gene Syminton has signed with Toronto Arrows in the MLR.
https://torontoarrows.com/news/signing-221011/
Magpies halfback Connor McLeod has signed with Utah Warriors in the MLR (multi-year deal).
https://www.warriorsrugby.com/news/warriors-sign-scrum-half-connor-mcleod/
I don't remember him, but former BOP/Manawatū/Chiefs WTG? wing/centre Taniela Filimone has signed with New England Free Jacks in the MLR.
https://freejacks.com/featured-news/free-jacks-sign-explosive-wing-and-center-taniela-filimone/ -
No doubt, more names will follow, but here are a few more MLR signings:
Tom Florence has signed with NOLA Gold (New Orleans) in the MLR (2023-2024)
https://www.nolagoldrugby.com/news/tom-florence-signs-with-the-gold/
Magpies hooker Gene Syminton has signed with Toronto Arrows in the MLR.
https://torontoarrows.com/news/signing-221011/
Magpies halfback Connor McLeod has signed with Utah Warriors in the MLR (multi-year deal).
https://www.warriorsrugby.com/news/warriors-sign-scrum-half-connor-mcleod/
I don't remember him, but former BOP/Manawatū/Chiefs WTG? wing/centre Taniela Filimone has signed with New England Free Jacks in the MLR.
https://freejacks.com/featured-news/free-jacks-sign-explosive-wing-and-center-taniela-filimone/@Stargazer super rugby medical depth really getting roasted with guys Jacobson and Florence gone plus Moana Pacifica
-
@Stargazer super rugby medical depth really getting roasted with guys Jacobson and Florence gone plus Moana Pacifica
@muddyriver said in Exodus:
@Stargazer super rugby medical depth really getting roasted with guys Jacobson and Florence gone plus Moana Pacifica
Can't believe they were not picked up by other franchises. Poor really.
-
No doubt, more names will follow, but here are a few more MLR signings:
Tom Florence has signed with NOLA Gold (New Orleans) in the MLR (2023-2024)
https://www.nolagoldrugby.com/news/tom-florence-signs-with-the-gold/
Magpies hooker Gene Syminton has signed with Toronto Arrows in the MLR.
https://torontoarrows.com/news/signing-221011/
Magpies halfback Connor McLeod has signed with Utah Warriors in the MLR (multi-year deal).
https://www.warriorsrugby.com/news/warriors-sign-scrum-half-connor-mcleod/
I don't remember him, but former BOP/Manawatū/Chiefs WTG? wing/centre Taniela Filimone has signed with New England Free Jacks in the MLR.
https://freejacks.com/featured-news/free-jacks-sign-explosive-wing-and-center-taniela-filimone/@Stargazer said in Exodus:
I don't remember him, but former BOP/Manawatū/Chiefs WTG? wing/centre Taniela Filimone has signed with New England Free Jacks in the MLR.
Filimone was a player I was talking about earlier this year as a good option as the injury replacement for ALB. He was injured for most of this season for the Poo.
I don't blame the likes of Jacobson and Florence going if all they are offered in NZ is a WTG spot. That seems to suggest McMillan hasn't selected another specialist no.7 for the Chiefs.
-
@Stargazer said in Exodus:
Ma'a Nonu going back for another season with San Diego Legion in the MLR:
Even seeing him walking through town recently trying to look all small and inconspicuous with the hoodie up and at the age of 40 he still looks a better bet than any AB midfielder we have currently.
He’s one of the only guys I can think of that maxed out on every Rugby skill there is to have.
God I miss Ma’a…..
-
Among the players announced as returning to the Seattle Seawolves are Sam Matenga and AJ Alatimu.
https://seawolves.rugby/news/returning-core-pod-ready-to-hunt-again-in-2023/
-
Have many of the LA and Austin players moved to other MLR teams? I had a quick scan of their rosters, and there weren't too many NZ players affected. But there are some current USA players in their squads.
@Bovidae I haven't specifically noticed players from those teams moving to other teams (haven't really paid attention to it either), but I have noticed generally that some teams announced the departure of players to other teams for salary cap reasons, and that obviously is related to the LA and Austin issues.
-
Jamie Lane will also return to Utah Warriors.
https://www.warriorsrugby.com/news/five-warriors-poised-for-a-breakout-2023-season/
-
Hawke's Bay prop Joel Hintz has signed with NE Free Jacks in MLR.
https://freejacks.com/featured-news/free-jacks-sign-hawkes-bay-joel-hintz/
-
@Stargazer said in Exodus:
Ma'a Nonu going back for another season with San Diego Legion in the MLR:
Even seeing him walking through town recently trying to look all small and inconspicuous with the hoodie up and at the age of 40 he still looks a better bet than any AB midfielder we have currently.
He’s one of the only guys I can think of that maxed out on every Rugby skill there is to have.
God I miss Ma’a…..
@Stargazer said in Exodus:
Ma'a Nonu going back for another season with San Diego Legion in the MLR:
Even seeing him walking through town recently trying to look all small and inconspicuous with the hoodie up and at the age of 40 he still looks a better bet than any AB midfielder we have currently.
He’s one of the only guys I can think of that maxed out on every Rugby skill there is to have.
God I miss Ma’a…..
Absolute legend. 40 years old? Wow, good on him.
