Gilbert to join Connacht at end of Super season
Sam Gilbert. Photo: supplied
Experienced Highlanders and Otago utility back Sam Gilbert is heading to Ireland.
Gilbert will join Connacht at the end of this Super Rugby season, the Irish club announced last night.
The Highlanders wished their departing player well on social media and will seek to send him - and doubtless a bunch of others to be confirmed - out on a high with some decent performances over the final three weeks of a disappointing season.
Gilbert has been something of an everyman for the Highlanders in recent seasons, playing a handful of games in his preferred fullback position but also starting on the wing and at both second five and first five.
He had a particularly good run in 2023 and the first half of the 2024 season when he showed his value as a strong and reliable operator across the park, and also showed off some remarkably accurate goal-kicking.
He was picked for the All Blacks XV in 2023.
Not a player for flashy line breaks or sizzling 80m runs, he is defensively sound and a good link man, and has a strapping frame with a powerful boot - attributes that will serve him well in rugby in the north.
Gilbert was schooled at St Andrew's College and had just been recognised in the Canterbury system - he scored five tries in six games for the red and blacks in 2019 - when he came south to join the Highlanders, Otago and the Green Island club.
He has played 56 games for the Highlanders, scoring 322 points (13 tries, 79 conversions and 33 penalties), and 29 for Otago.
Connacht have a couple of Otago links already on the books.
Gilbert's fellow Green Island man, Sean Jansen, started at No 8 in their most recent game in the United Rugby Championship, and former Highlanders and Otago first five Josh Ioane is also at the club.
Irish and Lions midfield star Bundee Aki is the main man at Connacht.
The Highlanders have exciting youngsters Caleb Tangitau and Finn Hurley under contract next year, and they will be eager to have Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Jona Nareki back, but Gilbert's versatility will be missed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
12 hours ago
- RNZ News
Super Rugby Pacific play-offs: Chiefs spring surprise
Simon Parker, Wallace Sititi. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Asafo Aumua is back for the Hurricanes for their play-off match against the Brumbies. It's a significant boost for the in form Canes, with Raymond Tuputupu backing him up on the bench and Jacob Devery dropping out of the squad. Caleb Delany comes back in at lock alongside Zach Gallagher, and Ngane Punivai is on the bench. Brett Cameron and Ruben Love once again start, which means Callum Harkin stays on the bench and also that there is plenty of cover at first five. The Chiefs have brought back Simon Parker into the loose forwards for their feature match against the Blues, however it's at the expense of Wallace Sititi. Samipeni Finau starts on the blindside, which is an interesting reshuffle given that Parker has been playing there most of the season however this time will be wearing the number eight jersey. Other than that it's a mostly unchanged Chiefs lineup, Cortez Ratima swapping places with Xaver Roe at halfback from last weekend. Only one change to the Blues, with Adrian Choat coming into the starting team at blindside, Anton Segner drops to the bench. Meanwhile, the Crusaders have reverted back to their strongest possible lineup, with David Havili back in to lead the side against the Reds on Friday night. David Havili and Tom Christie celebrate during the Blues v Crusaders Super Rugby Pacific match, Eden Park, Auckland. Photo: John Cowpland/Actionpress Crusaders v Reds Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 6 June Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport Crusaders: 1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Antonio Shalfoon, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Rivez Reihana, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. David Havili, 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Will Jordan Bench: 16. George Bell, 17. George Bower, 18. Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 19. Tahlor Cahill, 20. Cullen Grace, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. James O'Connor, 23. Dallas McLeod Damian McKenzie of the Chiefs dives to score a try. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Chiefs v Blues Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 7 June FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport Chiefs: 1. Aidan Ross, 2. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3. George Dyer, 4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Luke Jacobson, 8. Simon Parker, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Gideon Wrampling, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Reuben O'Neill, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Wallace Sititi, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Etene Nanai-Seturo Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Laghlan McWhannell, 6. Adrian Choat, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. AJ Lam, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Tele'a, 15. Corey Evans Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Jordan Lay, 18. Angus Ta'avao, 19. Josh Beehre, 20. Anton Segner, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. Cole Forbes Ruben Love and Asafo Aumua of the Hurricanes celebrate, 2024 Photo: PHOTOSPORT Brumbies v Hurricanes Kick-off: 9:35pm Saturday 7 June GIO Stadium, Canberra Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport Hurricanes: 1. Xavier Numia, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Zach Gallagher, 5. Caleb Delany, 6. Devan Flanders, 7. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Brett Cameron, 11. Fatafehi Fineanganofo, 12. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Bailyn Sullivan, 15. Ruben Love Bench: 16. Raymond Tuputupu, 17. Tevita Mafileo, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Hugo Plummer, 20. Brad Shields, 21. Ereatara Enari, 22. Ngatungane Punivai, 23. Callum Harkin
RNZ News
18 hours ago
- RNZ News
Hurricanes hit by injury scare ahead of Super Rugby finals
Ruben Love and Asafo Aumua of the Hurricanes celebrate, 2024 Photo: PHOTOSPORT The Hurricanes could be without All Blacks hooker Asafo Aumua for the first round of the Super Rugby playoffs after he suffered an injury at training. The Hurricanes co-captain copped a blow to the knee at the team's training on Tuesday at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport in Upper Hutt. Asafo Aumua, right, is under an injury cloud. Photo: Photosport Aumua had to be transported away from training on a cart and the Hurricanes will now be sweating on his fitness ahead of Saturday's first round playoff clash with the Brumbies in Canberra. The All Blacks front rower didn't play in last Saturday night's 64-12 win over Moana Pasifika in Wellington due to concussion. The latest injury puts him in doubt for the finals. The Hurricanes were putting a positive spin on the injury. "I think he did a couple of runs over there and got tired and wanted a ride back," assistant coach Cory Jane said. "Hopefully it's not too bad." Last week's starting hooker Jacob Devery and Raymond Tuputupu are set to play if Aumua is ruled out. The Hurricanes name their side at 4pm on Wednesday.
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Former Irish prop to coach stags
New Southland Stags coach Nathan White will have a hectic start to his provincial coaching career. White, a former Irish prop, who played for Waikato and the Chiefs, was named as co-coach for the side in something of a surprise move. He is expected in the South sometime later this month. No firm starting date could be provided. Rugby Southland in a statement last week said head of performance and Stags co-coach Matt Saunders was moving on. He was taking up an opportunity with Foodstuffs and operating the Otatara Four Square. Saunders, who had been in the role since 2022, previously operated the Tapanui Four Square. White is a former Toyota Verblitz forwards coach, having worked alongside former All Black coaches Ian Foster and Steve Hansen. White will be the co-coach with James Wilson. Union pathways manager Scott Eade has been promoted to assistant coach for the side, with responsibility for defence. Speaking on Saunders' departure, Rugby Southland chief executive Hua Tamariki acknowledged the mixed emotions within the organisation. "While we're gutted to see Matt go. He leaves with my full support and that of everyone involved in our union," Tamariki said. He said the timing was far from ideal, but the situation was outside Saunders' control. "We've had to act quickly to ensure we maintain continuity and momentum heading into this year's NPC campaign." Tamariki paid tribute to Saunders and said he was a steady and dependable leader. Eade had the full support of the union. "He's self-driven, an exceptional planner, and possesses a unique ability to connect with players across all levels. His inclusion in the Stags' coaching group was always a matter of when, not if," Tamariki said. Tamariki said White should fit in easily. "Originally from Waikato, Nathan has a deep connection to provincial rugby and will fit seamlessly into our community. His skills and leadership will be a great complement to James and the entire coaching group as we move closer to NPC kick-off." White played for Waikato and the Chiefs. In Ireland, he played for Leinster and Connacht. He played 13 tests for Ireland in 2015-16 before retiring because of concussion in 2016. He started his coaching career by helping out at Connacht. Rugby Southland also confirmed last year's forwards coach, Kane Thompson, would be unable to return in 2025 due to international coaching commitments with Manu Samoa. Daryl Thompson will be the set piece coach and Marty McKenzie the skills coach. Southland's first game of the NPC is against Otago in Invercargill on August 2.— APL
