Super Rugby confirmed and rumoured transfers 26 - 27

Anyone know whether Blues are looking for a tight head or any rumours of a quality tight head heading there? Was hoping we’d pick up Mafileo but rumours are he’s headed to Chiefs. We are light at 3.

@TheMojoman There was a rumour about Ahio returning to the Blues. No idea if there's any truth to it.

@Tim That would be a good pickup he has been good in the latter part of Super apart from final. Auckland should get him.

The Post article (behind paywall) about three high-profile MP players; Savea, Tupou-Ta'eiloa and Leota.

That as we know Savea is favoured to go to the Blues. That NZR wants to keep Leota and Tupou-Ta'eiloa in country. With Leota signing on for Harbour, that increases the odds that he will remain in NZ. If he there was a likelihood of him going back to league (as suggested), you'd think he would have signed on now prior to June 30 and back into at least playing Queensland Cup.

With Tupou-Ta'eiloa, speaking for all Highlanders fans. We want to say 1000 sorries and get him back

The main point in the article is that they believe that Savea's contract with NZR requires him to play in NZ in 2027.

@Bovidae said in Super Rugby confirmed and rumoured transfers 26 - 27:

The main point in the article is that they believe that Savea's contract with NZR requires him to play in NZ in 2027.

It's either the Blues or Canes. Can't see him going anywhere else.

@Bovidae What about - go to Canes for World Cup year and have a non playing sabbatical like Taylor and Scooter for the first half of the comp. He has had 18months of full time rugby already! Rennie acknowledged this in naming him captain and said they will have to manage it. And then gone after World Cup!?

@Dancefloor said in Super Rugby confirmed and rumoured transfers 26 - 27:

@Bovidae What about - go to Canes for World Cup year and have a non playing sabbatical like Taylor and Scooter for the first half of the comp. He has had 18months of full time rugby already! Rennie acknowledged this in naming him captain and said they will have to manage it. And then gone after World Cup!?

So we pay him to take a rest while he over-works himself for yen in the off-season?
It would be like me working night shifts, then asking to not come to my day job but still get paid please and thank you.

Inspirational captain that.

Rueben O'Neill to the Force is confirmed now.

Midfielders leaving:

Lam
Foketi
Ennor
McLeod
Havili
Lowe
Tele'a
Higgins

And possibly B Sullivan ?

@Tim

Te Hiwi is rumoured to go to the Force as well.

Bailyn Sullivan potentially Japan bound too.

Most squads carry five midfielders. Meaning we need to replace 40% of the midfielders across the five teams.

Good for the young fellas coming through … Higgins didn’t read the tea leaves very well!

Peni too

I wonder if King Maxwell will get picked up?

@SouthernMann ouch our midfield stocks are being decimated. We have good depth elsewhere but behind the top 6 midfielders we are looking a bit thin. Higgins is the biggest loss though gutted he is leaving for Scotland. Good chance for young talent to shine i this years NPC as there are plenty of holes to fill at Super level.

@Rugbyman

There will be hope that some guys can put their hands up at NPC level. Unfortunately opportunities may be limited as some of the departing players will still be preferred during the provincial season.

Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa now locked in by NZRU. Now a game of where he will end up.

Article states he has already met with the Highlanders.

Highlanders or Crusaders seem the most realistic landing spots. Highlanders have a massive gap at 8. While the Crusaders may potentially lose Lio-Willie over the next couple of years. All the North Island franchises have starting quality 8s.

STT for the clan!?! Make it happen!

Avoid injury to the tighties and that starts looking like a very competitve pack with Ta'avao, EDG, Taylor, Lavanini, Holland, Casey, Howden, STT (Frizell, Withy, Lasaqa)

@reprobate said in Super Rugby confirmed and rumoured transfers 26 - 27:

Avoid injury to the tighties and that starts looking like a very competitve pack with Ta'avao, EDG, Taylor, Lavanini, Holland, Casey, Howden, STT (Frizell, Withy, Lasaqa)

Hopefully we will have a forward group of

Loosehead: de Groot, Bartlett, ??

Hooker: Taylor, Moananu and Bell

Tighthead Ta'avao, Ainsley and Ma'u

Lock: Holland, Lavinini, Dunshea, Tengblad, Stodart, Cribb

Six: Frizzell, Howden (still to be confirmed), Stodart, Cribb,

Seven: Casey, Lasaqa, Withy,

eight: STT, Casey, Stodart

Broughton is an unknown at this stage.

Should match up pretty well against most sides and has the depth to give guys a rest if need be.

@SouthernMann really hoping a strong (dominant?) forward pack will sit better in Josephs wheelhouse

@SouthernMann if I had a dollar…

@jimmyb said in Super Rugby confirmed and rumoured transfers 26 - 27:

@SouthernMann if I had a dollar…

Otago property still going cheap then?

I wouldn't be surprised if NZR asks for Super teams to hold off player announcement until between the end of the home series and the South African tour.

Sometime between 18 July and 30 July when NPC kicks off.

ABs hold the narrative over the next three weeks.

Then re-inject Super footy.

NPC kicks off at the end of July.

ABs then take back over in August.

Keep the product in the news cycle. No point using Super news when it will be drowned out by the ABs.

As posted in the exodus thread. Have been told Bailyn Sullivan is heading to Japan.

Unless Bridge is ALB's direct replacement at Kobe they might need a centre.

Jordan Lay announcing his retirement -

Updated with the latest player movements