Chiefs bid sayonara to two Hawke's Bay talents
The Chiefs will bid farewell to the 2.00m tall lock Michael Allardice and utility back Tiaan Falcon as they head offshore to Japan to play for Toyota Verblitz.
The twenty-eight-year-old second rower has been a significant contributor to the Chiefs and has grown to become a reliable performer and leader since his 2015 debut against the Highlanders. Allardice has even stood in to captain the Chiefs when needed.
Allardice is grateful for the opportunity to have donned the Chiefs jersey.
“It has been an absolute privilege for my family and I to be a part of the Chiefs organisation for the past six years. Having had the honour to pull on the jersey and share the field with some of the greats and play in front of such passionate Chiefs fans are memories I will cherish for years to come.”
“While my family and I are excited to experience the Japanese culture at Toyota Verblitz, we will be forever grateful for the opportunities and lifelong friendships made during our time with the Chiefs,” finished Allardice.
Allardice will be joined by 22-year-old Falcon at Toyota Verblitz. The electrifying utility back debuted for the Chiefs in 2018 against the Blues.
Unfortunately, Falcon went through the injury mill in 2019, rupturing his achilles tendon in pre-season training, which ruled him out of the 2019 Super Rugby season. Falcon returned to rugby later that year to have a standout season with his Hawke’s Bay Mitre 10 Cup side before returning to the Chiefs this year.
Falcon was thankful for the time spent with the Gallagher Chiefs.
“Although I didn’t get the chance to run out with the team as much as I would have liked, I’ve really enjoyed the culture at the Chiefs and the friendships I have made in Hamilton over the last three years.”
“The opportunity to play in Japan really excites me. It will be great to continue to develop my game while seeing another part of the world,” said Falcon.
Chiefs Rugby Club Chief Executive Officer Michael Collins wished Allardice and Falcon all the best for their future endeavours abroad.
“We wish both Michael and Tiaan all the very best in Japan. Michael is a great leader and has demonstrated his leadership having captained the Chiefs on several occasions. Tiaan has been a great team man, despite having been side-lined with injuries he has been a great contributor off the field.”
Allardice has 46 appearances to his name in the Chiefs jersey and Falcon has notched up 4 Chiefs appearances to date.
- Chiefs Rugby
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It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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