Rugby transfers: All Blacks prospect adds to exodus, Wallabies flyer re-signs and Stormers chase Los Pumas stalwart
Hurricanes forward Devan Flanders and an inset of Los Pumas star Tomas Lavanini.
Our latest Rugby transfers and rumours update focuses on the Southern Hemisphere with an All Blacks’ prospect off to Japan, the Stormers’ interest in a Puma and a Wallabies’ re-signing.
All Blacks’ prospect says sayonara
In a hammer blow to the Hurricanes and possibly even Dave Rennie’s All Blacks plans, Devan Flanders will leave New Zealand shores and head to Japan after this year’s Super Rugby Pacific season.
The long-serving Hurricane made his debut for the Wellington-based outfit in 2020 and has played over 60 times for the club. Having played for New Zealand U20s, Flanders represented the All Blacks XV last year and was shaping up as a serious option for new All Blacks’ boss Rennie in 2026 with standout performances for the ‘Canes. However, his move to an unnamed Japanese club will surely end his chances of a Test debut this year.
It’s just the latest blow for New Zealand Rugby as he joins Fehi Fineanganofo, Hoskins Sotutu [both Newcastle Red Bulls], Dalton Papali’i [Castres], Sevu Reece [Perpignan], and AJ Lam [Clermont] in signing lucrative deals abroad next season.
“We’re going to miss him for sure, but we wish him and Mariah all the best with his future career,” head coach Clark Laidlaw said in a club statement. “We look forward to continuing to connect and welcoming him home and back into the club whenever he wants to be back, because he’s a true Hurricane.”
Speaking to the media, assistant coach Jason Holland added: “You can see why Devan’s taken an opportunity, it’s a massive shame having watched Devan through his career here at the Hurricanes, to get more and more mature, understand the game, understand himself around how he gets ready.
“It does get disappointing when they get to the stage where they’re probably at their best, they understand themselves really well, and they’re about to play their best three or four years of footy. So that’s where it becomes hard to take, but it is what it is, and we’ve got to do our best to make sure those guys are playing their best footy in New Zealand.”
Dylan Pietsch re-signs
While New Zealand Rugby are losing a top prospect, Rugby Australia have announced that Wallabies star Dylan Pietsch is sticking around for at least another two seasons.
The speedster has signed a two-year contract extension through to the end of 2028 which will see him remain at the Western Force. The 28-year-old former Australian 7s stars made his Test debut for the Wallabies in 2024 against Wales and has made nine appearances for his country in total.
“I’m incredibly stoked to be staying with the Force and Australian Rugby for another two years,” Pietsch said.
“Perth is home for my wife Ella and I, so it’s hard to imagine being anywhere else. I have so much belief in the direction of this club and where we are heading. Force and the fans have given me so much and I hope I can return the favour.
“Being in the position to represent my family, culture and country is something I take a lot of pride in, and it drives me to work as hard as I can to hopefully wear the gold jersey.”
Western Force head coach Simon Cron said: “We’re really happy to have Pietschy re-commit to the Club. We know he loves it at the Force.
“He’s constantly engaged with our group. He’s had a bit of a tough run of it with injury, so it’s great having him back on the park.
“As a player, he adds power and speed. He’s built a great combination with the guys we have on the wings, like Darby Lancaster and Zac Lomax.
“Pietschy is really close to a lot of boys in the squad too, so it’s important we keep as many of the guys here as possible for cohesion.
“He’s a great man. Him and his wife Ella love being here too. We must keep driving him forward to give him his best opportunity at Wallabies level too.”
Stormers turn to card machine to fill second row void
Los Pumas lock Tomas Lavanini, the most carded tier one international rugby player of all-time, has twice rejected the Stormers’ advances but has had a change of heart, according to Rapport.
Director of rugby John Dobson is in the market for a second rower with Salmaan Moerat and Ruben van Heerden joining La Rochelle and Montpellier respectively at the end of the current season. The former’s departure was not planned and has left the Stormers scrambling ahead of the 2025/26 campaign as they search for an experienced second rower.
That led the Cape-based side to reach out to Lavanini, who is currently contracted with the Highlanders after spells in the north with Leicester Tigers, Clermont and Lyon after the Jaguares’ exit from Super Rugby.
According to the report, the Argentine rebuffed the Stormers’ advances twice but reached out to the side last weekend, stating that he was reconsidering the offer.
“Even though Lavanini has said no twice, the Stormers still hope there is a chance to finally get him in the Cape as JD Schickerling will only be available in September,” a source told the publication.
