Rugby Transfers: Irish club land All Black, turmoil as Rebels snub Tahs and French club snaps up Hurricanes star

In our latest rugby transfers and rumours round-up, we take a look at Connacht’s latest signing as New Zealand Super Rugby clubs are raided while there is further turmoil in Australia.

With the Super Rugby season done and dusted, several rumoured transfers are being confirmed while there is still plenty of doubt around the futures of Melbourne Rebels’ stars following their collapse.

Chiefs lose star to Irish province

In a massive blow to the Chiefs and an equally postive one for Connacht, Josh Ioane has packed his bags for Galway signing a deal for the 2024/25 season with the Irish Province.

The talented fly-half/fullback has played over 70 Super Rugby matches during his spells with the Chiefs and the Highlanders, racking up over 300 points in the process.

The 28-year-old earned his maiden call-up to the All Blacks squad in 2019 and made his Test debut against Tonga off the bench in what proved to be his only international cap.

He has, however, featured for the Maori All Blacks and All Blacks XV and is eligible to represent Samoa again through his heritage.

He joins Connacht, who need cover at fly-half and fullback following the injury to JJ Hanrahan, who sustained an ACL injury in May.

“We are thrilled to welcome Josh to Connacht next season. We were open about the need for additional depth at 10 following JJ’s injury, and in Josh, we have secured a player with a wealth of experience and an excellent skill set that will both excite our supporters and complement our existing backs,” Connacht boss Pete Wilkins said.

United Rugby Championship ins and outs: The complete list of the 2024/25 player transfers

Hurricanes stars heads to Montpellier

The Hurricanes have lost star outside back Josh Moorby ahead of next season with the 26-year-old confirmed as one of Montpellier’s latest signings ahead of next season.

It’s long been rumoured that Moorby would be packing his bags for France and the move has now been officially confirmed with Montpellier also announcing the arrivals of Fijian centre Christa Powell and Maël Moustin.

These signings follow the controversial additions of Wilfrid Hountpatin, Mohamed Haouas, Billy Vunipola, and Stuart Hogg, who have all recently had run-ins with the law.

The French club is looking to get back to its former glory after a torrid 2023/24 season where they narrowly avoided relegation.

A change in coaching staff has also seen an overhaul of the playing squad with the aforementioned players joined by other new signings in Nika Abuladze, Nicolas Martins, Alex Bernadet, Domingo Miotti, Thomas Vincent and Madosh Tambwe.

Tahs rebuffed by Rebels

According to a report by Code Sports, as many as 11 Melbourne Rebels stars have snubbed the Waratahs advances ahead of the 2025 Super Rugby campaign.

With the Melbourne Rebels no longer a Super Rugby team, several players are on the market for new opportunities, and while many are still under contract with Rugby Australia, they have rejected a move to the Waratahs.

Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Leota, Isaac Kailea, David Feluiai, Pone Fa’amausili, Darby Lancaster, Matt Gibbon, Lachie Anderson, Ethan Dobbins and Lukas Ripley have all reportedly rejected the Waratahs’ advances.

This is because of the state of the NSW club, who finished bottom of the log after winning just two of their 14 matches in 2024. Dan McKellar will be tasked with turning the club’s fortunes around along with Simon Raiwalui, but the two heavyweight coaching additions are seemingly not enough to persuade the Rebels’ players.

According to the report, many players are even prepared to play club rugby instead for other reasons, including the cost of living in Sydney, and the want to stay closer to family.

Dan McKellar lands new gig after shock Leicester exit as he links up with ex-Fiji coach

Wallabies veteran links up with Will Skelton at La Rochelle

Ex-Wallabies lock Kane Douglas will pack down in the second row with Will Skelton once again after signing a deal to join La Rochelle ahead of next season.

The 35-year-old lock has signed a one-year deal with Ronan O’Gara’s side after helping Bordeaux reach the Top 14 final during the 2023/24 season.

The experienced lock has played for the likes of the Reds, Waratahs and Leinster before his five-year stint at Bordeaux and will now link up with Skelton once again – who signed an extension with the French outfit until 2028.

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