[2016 Super Rugby] New Zealand Transfers

[Sam Owen]

Im actually happy to see lot of those guys go. When we had them it wasnt as good as it was on paper.

Roll on the new guys I say.

 

[The Jones Boy]

The Hurricanes must be hurting after winning the minor Prem...
Great result for the Highlanders

Auckland, where is my Auckland, just when i thought we couldn't get any worse...

 

[Larksea]

things look bad for the blues but they do still have a backbone of very classy players to build on

Akira Ioane - this guy has ridiculous potential, the next "big thing" in terms of NZ's loose forward production line
Patrick Tuipolotu - established himself quickly as the #3 lock in NZ hopefully he comes back from his medical issues well.
Blake Gibson - looked really good but still very young it would be a lot to ask him to run out wearing 7 each week, blues should find someone suitable to take some of the load.
West - surely he must be ready by now, I feel like all he needs is a fresh start and some new coaches, tons of talent and really good goal kicking.
Gibson-Park/Bryn Hall - a couple of good 9's that should lift with better team culture and coaching.
George Moala - the most devastating 12 in super rugby
Rene Ranger - Blues icon back in the mix, the idea of him and Moala combining is fairly scary.
nanai/li/visinia - talented young back 3 combo

And some experienced Forwards:
Parsons
Kaino
Faumuina
Luatau

Lots of impressive talent but still a lot of gaps. Tight 5 in particular, I wonder if Luatua can play a bit of openside?

I've said it a lot but the blues lack leadership and good honest error-free graft in the backs. They really need a couple of talkers. I feel like kaino is a great player and a smart player but the blues need a couple of leaders who grab their team mates by the scruff of the neck at times. It's not always the captian, you watch the chiefs its often Sam Cane always a quiet bloke in interviews but he talks a lot on the field. Blues need a guy like that in the backs talking pointing and marshaling the backs every play. West needs to become a leader, but he needs some help as well.

 

[Ospreys1990]

Hey. There is a rumour that Ma'afu Fia is joining the Ospreys, any truth in that ?

 

[GoTheNaki]

Sean Wainui -> Crusaders.

 

[Captain_Az]

Fia leaving highlanders to join Ospreys

Hey. There is a rumour that Ma'afu Fia is joining the Ospreys, any truth in that ?

Seems to be so, he was a good player when fit.
http://m.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/34443037


Highlanders will be on the look out for another prop

 

[Kiwiwomble]

welcome Cap_AZ

 

[Captain_Az]

Liam Squire and Luke Whitelock signed for 2016 with the Highlanders for 1 year contracts.

http://thehighlanders.co.nz/our-news/latest-news

Boost to the loose forward stocks with Nasi Manu & John Hardie departing.

 

[nickdnz]

Liam Squire is a big boost in my opinion. Exactly the type of player the Highlanders like.

Luke Whitelock less so, but still could do worse.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Liam Squire and Luke Whitelock signed for 2016 with the Highlanders for 1 year contracts.

http://thehighlanders.co.nz/our-news/latest-news

Boost to the loose forward stocks with Nasi Manu & John Hardie departing.

Wow very surprised (and quite disappointed) to see Squire heading south from the Chiefs. He didn't get much game time this year but that was primarily due to the fact that he was injured. I'm not sure who they will have signed to replace him, he was looking likely as the starting 8, given that Messam will be unavailable for most of the season. He'll be a huge boost for the Highlanders.

 

[nickdnz]

Wow very surprised (and quite disappointed) to see Squire heading south from the Chiefs. He didn't get much game time this year but that was primarily due to the fact that he was injured. I'm not sure who they will have signed to replace him, he was looking likely as the starting 8, given that Messam will be unavailable for most of the season. He'll be a huge boost for the Highlanders.

Maybe the arrival of Karpick - and Rennie's love of squad rotation was enough to see him chance his arm where he is sure to get a lot of starts.

 

[ABs2011]

Maybe the arrival of Karpick - and Rennie's love of squad rotation was enough to see him chance his arm where he is sure to get a lot of starts.

Good signings for the Highlanders.
Has the Karpik signing been officially announced yet?

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Maybe the arrival of Karpick - and Rennie's love of squad rotation was enough to see him chance his arm where he is sure to get a lot of starts.

Potentially, but Squire is the only specialist 8 in the squad. Leitch is a a flanker primarily, while Cane, Koloamatagi and (potentially) Karpik are all opensides. Bardoul is a flanker/lock. Vaipulu is a number eight, admittedly, but he hasn't formally signed a full contract yet, as far as we know.

I'd imagine the Chiefs will have to sign a specialist blindside flanker/number 8 to cover his absence, and no free agents spring to mind immediately...

Confirmation that Karpik has signed a two year deal with the Chiefs: http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...k-signs-twoyear-deal-with-dave-rennies-chiefs

 

[Kiwiwomble]

A little disappointed actually, was really hoping dawai would get the call up, reward some great form for Otago , Chiefs might want to look at him...

 

[Captain_Az]

Rob Thompson (Canterbury) & Matt Faddes (Otago) joining the Highlanders.

http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/360162/rugby-thompson-faddes-play-landers

looking forward to seeing Rob Thompson play haven't watched him but heard he is the real deal at ITM level