Hurricanes flyhalf signs with French powerhouse
Another established New Zealand player is heading off to France at the end of the season, with the Hurricanes losing one of their top first five-eighths.
Current Top 14 champions La Rochelle have announced the signing of current Hurricanes flyhalf Ihaia West on a reported three-year deal according to L'Equipe.
West joined the Hurricanes this season as a backup option for Beauden Barrett following four seasons at the Blues where he played 44 times, after playing for New Zealand under-20s at the 2012 Junior World Cup.
The Blues traded West for the younger Otere Black late last season spelling the end of his time at the Blues. He famously scored the winning try over the touring British & Irish Lions in 2017.
La Rochelle signed the 26-year-old flyhalf as cover for the departing Brock James, who is heading to Bordeaux Eagles next year.
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i think Argentina v France could be a good game too, depending on which Argentina turns up. The most difficult to call is Scotland Australia.
Go to commentsSmith is playing a different game with the rest of the backs struggling to understand. That's the problem with so called playmakers, if nobody gets what they're doing then it often just leads to a turnover. It gets worse when Borthwick changes one of them, which is why they don't score points at the end. Sometimes having a brilliant playmaker can be problematic if a team cannot be built around them. Once again Borthwick seems lacking in either coaching or selection. I can't help but think it's the latter coupled with pressure to select the big name players.
Lastly, his forward replacements are poor and exposed either lack of depth or selection pressure. Cole hemorrhages scrum penalties whenever he comes on, opponents take advantage of the England scrum and close out the game. Is that the best England can offer?
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