Jeremy Thrush

Ben Franks

Just like in South Africa and Australia, the New Zealand list is rapidly growing, of All Blacks players who are making preparations to depart New Zealand after Rugby World Cup 2015.

Jeremy Thrush is the lastest to already have announced he has signed up North, for Gloucester… but that is not all, with news that Ben Franks is thought to be next to go. It is believed that Ben Franks is ready to sign with English Club, London Irish.

Recent articles we have hosted seems to indicate that the extent of the exodus North is just as rampant in Australia and also in South Africa.

The list of players who are going or are suspected to be in the thows of following their departing countrymen are:

• Jeremy Thrush
• Ben Franks
• Dan Carter
• Ma’a Nonu
• Richie McCaw
• Conrad Smith
• Tony Woodcock
• Keven Mealamu
• Jerome Kaino
• Liam Messam
• Cory Jane
• Charlie Faumuina

Ben Franks:

As the All Blacks gear up to defend the World Cup there is also an undercurrent of departing stars with Ben Franks thought to be the next to go.

The All Blacks face an age crisis with many of their bigger names heading towards the end of their careers, as such there has been clear indication that many of them would like to retire up North with a big pay check.

Dan Carter recently signed up with French giants Racing Metro after the World Cup to become the world’s first £1 million-man, he follows Ma’a Nonu who is heading to Toulon as well as a number of other stars.

The likes of skipper McCaw, Conrad Smith, veteran front row forwards Tony Woodcock and Keven Mealamu, loose forwards Jerome Kaino and Liam Messam and even Cory Jane and Charlie Faumuina could also be considering high-paying, late-career stints overseas.

Ben Franks is the latest to suggest he will be leaving with the versatile All Blacks prop tipped to join British club London Irish after this year’s World Cup.

Props are in demand in England. Former All Black John Afoa is on a impressive deal with Gloucester, and Franks’ ability to play on both sides of the scrum increases his value.

Franks has played 41 Tests for the All Blacks since 2008, although 35 of those have been off the bench, another sign of the Hurricanes props value in covering the demanding tighthead and loosehead positions.

The All Blacks management have encouraged their ageing players to make early decisions on contract deals to avoid distractions closer to the World Cup and during the tournament.

London Irish’s props stocks are headed by Irish representative Tom Court.

The club has strong Kiwi connections in former Blues flyhalf Chris Noakes and Scotland’s rising New Zealand flank, Blair Cowan.

The news of Franks being courted by the club comes as London Irish seem resigned to losing their Australian coach, Brian Smith, who is keen to return home to pursue opportunities in Super Rugby.

London Irish guaranteed their English Premiership safety with a last-gasp win over Exeter last weekend.

Smith had envisaged leaving at season’s end but there is speculation his exit may be fast-tracked by London Irish management.

Jeremy Thrush:

Gloucester have gained the services of All Black lock Jeremy Thrush from the Hurricanes after the World Cup this year.

The 29-year-old has 11 caps for the All Blacks and was part of the recent year-end touring squad.

Gloucester Director of Rugby, David Humphreys, was delighted to confirm his signing and commented:

“Signing a player of Jeremy’s ability further highlights Gloucester’s ambition to compete with the best clubs in Europe.

“He has been a stand out performer in Super Rugby over a number of seasons, and the experience he has gained being part of a successful All Blacks squad will be a key element in establishing Gloucester as one of the dominant forward packs in England.

“His recent man of the match performance against Scotland showed what Jeremy will bring to Gloucester in terms of his rugby ability but he will also add huge value to the squad, both on and off the field, through his leadership abilities.

“As we continue to build our squad for the 2015 / 2016 season, our initial focus was the retention of key players who were out of contract.

“This has now been done and with Jeremy’s announcement, we will continue to add strength in depth to our squad over the next few weeks.”

Gloucester Rugby CEO Stephen Vaughan commented: “The addition of a top quality All Black like Jeremy to our squad demonstrates our determination to keep building towards having a squad capable of consistently challenging for honours going forward.

“We began a rebuilding process this season by introducing a completely new coaching set up and a host of new players and we see this exciting announcement as further reinforcement of our total commitment to investing in the playing squad.”

Thrush has also represented the Junior All Blacks, New Zealand Under 19 and New Zealand Secondary Schools teams.

He was a part of the victorious 2004 Under 19 World Championship team and was named the 2004 IRB World Under 19 Player of the Year.

Thrush last played for the All Blacks against Scotland in November last year where he scored a try and was made man-of-the-match in a 24-16 tightly contested victory.