“Sas is pretty much 15s with us. Unless I get a surprise, he’s pretty keen to play the Trans-Tasman and stick with that,” Holland told Stuff. Asked if Rayasi was torn over the decision, Holland said: “Basically it hasn’t been too much of a discussion. If it was 50-50 it probably would have been more of a discussion. From what I gather he’s pretty intent on putting all his time and effort into 15s.” At 24 it is probably now or never for Rayasi’s Olympic aspirations as he chases an All Blacks jersey. Top tryscorer in last year’s NPC with 14 for runnersup Auckland, Rayasi started five times for the Hurricanes in their disappointing Aotearoa campaign which ended 2-6 and bottom of the ladder, both their wins over the Highlanders.
“I’m excited to be getting back into Super Rugby next year and returning to NZ with my family to live,” Bird said in a statement. “We’ve enjoyed our time with Racing Metro in France, and I feel like I’ve been playing some of my best rugby up there, but now is the right time to return home. I’m looking forward to testing myself again in Super Rugby and adding huge value to the Hurricanes in 2022.”
Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images
Dominic Bird of Racing 92 wins possession of a lineout ahead of Paul Boyle of Connacht.
Dominic Bird to leave Racing 92 for Hurricanes
News24
Racing 92 lock forward
Dominic Bird is to leave the French Top 14 side and return home to New Zealand to play for the
Hurricanes, the Super Rugby franchise announced on Monday.
The former All Black joined the Top 14 in 2018 after spending time in Canterbury, with the Crusaders and then the Chiefs.
The 30-year-old will line up for the Wellington Lions before joining the Hurricanes. I m excited to be getting back into Super Rugby next year and returning to NZ with my family to live, Bird, who won two caps for the All Blacks, told the Hurricanes website.
All Black lock Dominic Bird
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Former-All Black lock Dominic Bird is returning to New Zealand rugby to join the Hurricanes for next year s Super Rugby competition.
The 30-year-old former Crusaders and Chiefs representative will lineup for the Wellington Lions for this year s Bunnings Warehouse NPC before joining the Hurricanes set-up next year. I m excited to be getting back into Super Rugby next year and returning to NZ with my family to live, the two-test All Black said. We ve enjoyed our time with Racing Metro in France, and I feel like I ve been playing some of my best rugby up there, but now is the right time to return home. I m looking forward to testing myself again in Super Rugby and adding huge value to the Hurricanes in 2022.