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Hurricanes flyhalf signs with French powerhouse

By Online Editors
Ihaia West Hurricanes

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.

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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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Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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