Exodus
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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.
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@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…..
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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/
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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.
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Jamie Lane will also return to Utah Warriors.
https://www.warriorsrugby.com/news/five-warriors-poised-for-a-breakout-2023-season/
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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/
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@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.
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There seems to be less players hanging around for only a WTG spot than in recent years. Money talks.
Wider guys are on weekly contracts with no guarantees for pay.
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Wider guys are on weekly contracts with no guarantees for pay.
@muddyriver said in Exodus:
Wider guys are on weekly contracts with no guarantees for pay.
Didn’t realise that
Do you know if it’s the same for every wider group player? For instance it would make sense for the Blues to have another specialist lock hang around the group.. would they ever give one guy a 3 month contract? Or is that not allowed?
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Zion Going returning to Utah Warriors.
It still amazes me how many players get signed in the MLR who don't even play at NPC level.
@Stargazer Zion was part of the Northland HP squad last year but was’nt selected when the final cut for the Taniwha came around so headed off to the MLR ,came back to club footy this year and looked a completely different player for his Mid Northern team who took out the Northland club comp this year .
You are right there many players who don’t play NPC that pick up contracts in the MLR , I have heard the level is similar to heartland rugby but that was a few years ago , since then the standard may have improved. -
@muddyriver said in Exodus:
Wider guys are on weekly contracts with no guarantees for pay.
Didn’t realise that
Do you know if it’s the same for every wider group player? For instance it would make sense for the Blues to have another specialist lock hang around the group.. would they ever give one guy a 3 month contract? Or is that not allowed?
@Duluth I have heard Liam Hallam Eames is heading off to the MLR
Sam Caird I believe is first cab of the rank if there is required injury cover or full cover in the Blues.
Allen Craig had a solid season for the Taniwha and we saw some added physicality but I do wonder if his height might be against him in the upside has a great work rate .
