Our latest Rugby transfers and rumours update focuses on the Southern Hemisphere with an All Blacks\u2019 prospect off to Japan, the Stormers\u2019 interest in a Puma and a Wallabies\u2019 re-signing.<\/b><\/p>\n
All Blacks\u2019 prospect says sayonara<\/p>\n
In a hammer blow to the Hurricanes<\/a> and possibly even Dave Rennie\u2019s All Blacks<\/a> plans, Devan Flanders will leave New Zealand shores and head to Japan after this year\u2019s Super Rugby Pacific season.<\/p>\n The long-serving Hurricane made his debut for the Wellington-based outfit in 2020 and has played over 60 times for the club. Having played for New Zealand U20s, Flanders represented the All Blacks XV last year and was shaping up as a serious option for new All Blacks\u2019 boss Rennie in 2026 with standout performances for the \u2018Canes. However, his move to an unnamed Japanese club will surely end his chances of a Test debut this year.<\/p>\n It\u2019s just the latest blow for New Zealand Rugby as he joins Fehi Fineanganofo, Hoskins Sotutu [both Newcastle Red Bulls], Dalton Papali\u2019i [Castres], Sevu Reece [Perpignan], and AJ Lam [Clermont] in signing lucrative deals abroad next season.<\/p>\n Ex-Highlanders star urges NZ Rugby to review eligibility rules as \u2018All Blacks jersey\u2019s pull not what it was 20 years ago\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to miss him for sure, but we wish him and Mariah all the best with his future career,\u201d head coach Clark Laidlaw said in a club statement. \u201cWe look forward to continuing to connect and welcoming him home and back into the club whenever he wants to be back, because he\u2019s a true Hurricane.\u201d<\/p>\n Speaking to the media, assistant coach Jason Holland added: \u201cYou can see why Devan\u2019s taken an opportunity, it\u2019s a massive shame having watched Devan through his career here at the Hurricanes, to get more and more mature, understand the game, understand himself around how he gets ready.<\/p>\n Sir Steve Hansen\u2019s \u2018no carte blanche\u2019 verdict on selecting overseas All Blacks with Brodie Retallick exception despite \u2018conundrum\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIt does get disappointing when they get to the stage where they\u2019re probably at their best, they understand themselves really well, and they\u2019re about to play their best three or four years of footy. So that\u2019s where it becomes hard to take, but it is what it is, and we\u2019ve got to do our best to make sure those guys are playing their best footy in New Zealand.\u201d<\/p>\n Stephen Donald\u2019s bold \u2018not many holes\u2019 claim under Dave Rennie as All Blacks contender list \u2018is long\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Dylan Pietsch re-signs<\/p>\n While New Zealand Rugby are losing a top prospect, Rugby Australia<\/a> have announced that Wallabies star Dylan Pietsch is sticking around for at least another two seasons.<\/p>\n The speedster has signed a two-year contract extension through to the end of 2028 which will see him remain at the Western Force. The 28-year-old former Australian 7s stars made his Test debut for the Wallabies in 2024 against Wales and has made nine appearances for his country in total.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m incredibly stoked to be staying with the Force and Australian Rugby for another two years,\u201d Pietsch said.<\/p>\n \u201cPerth is home for my wife Ella and I, so it\u2019s hard to imagine being anywhere else. I have so much belief in the direction of this club and where we are heading. Force and the fans have given me so much and I hope I can return the favour.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing in the position to represent my family, culture and country is something I take a lot of pride in, and it drives me to work as hard as I can to hopefully wear the gold jersey.\u201d<\/p>\n Christy Doran: Joseph Suaalii is being wasted, it\u2019s time Aussie rugby learnt from Israel Folau and the \u2018impossible to ignore\u2019 Wallabies outcast<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Western Force head coach Simon Cron said: \u201cWe\u2019re really happy to have Pietschy re-commit to the Club. We know he loves it at the Force.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s constantly engaged with our group. He\u2019s had a bit of a tough run of it with injury, so it\u2019s great having him back on the park.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a player, he adds power and speed. He\u2019s built a great combination with the guys we have on the wings, like Darby Lancaster and Zac Lomax.<\/p>\n \u201cPietschy is really close to a lot of boys in the squad too, so it\u2019s important we keep as many of the guys here as possible for cohesion.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a great man. Him and his wife Ella love being here too. We must keep driving him forward to give him his best opportunity at Wallabies level too.\u201d<\/p>\n