@Stargazer The horse has probably bolted.
Wellington (Hurricanes) look to be interested in HB players only if they can nab them as one of their own
http://www.msprugby.co.nz/Site/Club/News-Events/Latest_News/thompson_twins_join_msp.aspx

@Yeetyaah said in Chiefs 2019:

@Tim It's the last year of his contract for the Chiefs and he might be out for the season so not sure if he'll be resigned or not.

That' ok, the Canes can offer a swapsie J Garden-Bachop for T Falcon

There might be other considerations behind it though. Almost certainly Harkin will not be being paid (think he might be heading to University?) hence might be participating as an amateur and not costing the Hurricanes organization anything whilst he picks up skills and experience that might be useful to them (or one of their major shareholder - Wellington RFU) at some time in the future. McLutchie on the other hand might be working full time and unable (or not prepared to) to give up that income.

@Rebound said in NH club rugby:

@Derm-McCrum Whos is the 2 SA born players in the Hurricanes? I know Wes Goosen is one. Who's the other?

Ricky Riccitelli

Sorry, I should have been a bit clearer. I was referring to the "if the Canes are serious about winning another title again" bit of your post

With that forward pack they have, particularly the tight forwards, it will not matter who they have in the back line.

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2019 Discussion:

This is probably why they signed his bro for so long. I'm hoping J Barrett and B Proctor become the Canes centre pairing before the year is out.

Have you written off the All Black Ngani Laumape already?

@sparky said in Exodus 2019:

Matt Proctor signs for Northampton Saints, linking up with former Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd:

https://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/news/saints-sign-new-zealand-centre-matt-proctor

Saints sign New Zealand centre Matt Proctor

Friday, January 11 2019.
Northampton Saints can today announce that Kiwi centre Matt Proctor will join the Club from Super Rugby franchise Hurricanes. The 26-year-old New Zealand international is director of rugby Chris Boyd’s first new signing for next season, with a raft of current Saints already penning deals to remain at Franklin’s Gardens.

While comfortable both on the wing and at fullback, Proctor has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Southern Hemisphere in recent seasons.

And after committing to make the switch across the world to the Gallagher Premiership, Proctor is already relishing the prospect of a new challenge on English soil with Northampton.

“I am excited to have signed for such a prestigious club in Northampton Saints,” said Proctor.

“For a long time now, I have had the ambition of testing myself in the Northern Hemisphere and for so many reasons Northampton is a great fit for me.

“Not only will I have the opportunity to be coached again by Chris Boyd – the person I have worked with the most as a professional player – but I will also have the honour of joining a Club that is steeped in tradition and boasts a rich history of success.

“The Club and I share the same goals in wanting to achieve as much success as possible on the pitch, while also contributing to the wider rugby community off the field; so overall I am thrilled to be heading to Franklin’s Gardens.”

After making his Super Rugby debut in 2013, Wellington-born Proctor was part of the Hurricanes side that – under Boyd – secured the title three years later.

He celebrated his 50th appearance for the franchise in 2018, while also being named captain for Wellington Lions’ Mitre 10 Cup campaign.

In the same season Proctor then made his All Blacks Test debut against Japan in November, with his representative career also including the Maori All Blacks, New Zealand Under-20s and New Zealand Schools.

Boyd said: “Matt is exactly the calibre of player that we want to be bringing to Northampton – he’s a world-class talent.

“I obviously know first-hand what he can do having worked with him back in New Zealand, and I am confident he can slot into our back-line next year alongside the quality players we already have at Saints.

“At 26, Matt is entering the peak years of his career and he had the desire for a new challenge on this side of the world. We feel that he can really fill his vast potential here in Northampton.”

Man, these quotes by players and coaches are just so scripted by the PR people is it almost laughable. Look at this one for example of something that in my forty years or so of involvement in rugby have never, even remotely, heard a rugby player express themselves in this manner.

“The Club and I share the same goals in wanting to achieve as much success as possible on the pitch, while also contributing to the wider rugby community off the field; so overall I am thrilled to be heading to Franklin’s Gardens.”

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes 2019 Discussion:

Who is the young kid behind Judd? (on the right)

Can't be 100% sure but it does look like a young guy by the name of Callum Harkin who has been playing at the Wellington Football Club for the last couple of seasons. People may recall watching him play at first five (but also equally adept at halfback) for the Wellington team at the Jock Hobbs Memorial Tournament in Taupo this year. Originally out of St. Pats Silverstream and has also spent time at the Ulster Academy in Northern Ireland. Could this be the latest ploy in Wellington's attempts to keep hot shot HB players out in the cold?

Looking at those bowling figures you must summaise the Windies mush have play a fair number of games against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh plus some token tests against Kenya and Afghanistan.