Jacob Ratoumitavoki-Knipkens' switch south from the Blues to the Highlanders has seen the 23-year-old go from struggling for minutes to one of Super Rugby's main running threats and an All Black prospect.
It was a career-changing decision that has undoubtedly paid off for the full-back, and it begs the question, who else could benefit from a new opportunity in different colours?
There is no shortage of talent coming through the New Zealand ranks and, ideally, the country's top five players in each position will be the ones wearing the shirts on offer.
So who is missing? Who is stuck behind the All Black talent or the breakout talent who, with a change of scenery, could make a similar leap to the Highlanders' newest star?
Here are five players who could do just that if given the opportunity.
A.J. Lam
Lahm is an undeniable talent, with the ability to play in the back four, and has done so for the Blues since 2021. The 25-year-old has an All Blacks XV to his name and has consistently excelled when placed in the starting unit in the Super. Rugby, whether it's at midfield or outside back.
At 1.92m tall and 105kg, Lahm has plenty of size and strength without compromising speed; He looks a lot like his older brother, former Hurricanes and New Zealand Sevens star Ben Lamm.
With 60 Super Rugby points to his name ahead of the 2024 season, Lahm has recovered from an injury-troubled 2023 season and is once again ready to pitch in wherever he is called upon, and although he has not completely escaped the injury cloud this season, there is no doubt that he has looked like he is on the mend. His home is where he competes with the best Super Rugby Pacific players and could thrive with the opportunity to play consistent minutes and specialize in a particular position.
Duplessis kerevi
Once a member of the All Blacks, Kerevi has been relegated to the Hurricanes' bench in 2024 thanks to All Blacks prospect Peter Lakai.
As is the case with many quality New Zealand talents, a short-term injury gave the man behind Kerevi a stink in the starting job and the highly popular substitute ran away with the home jersey, a jersey that Kerevi had made himself over recent years and was expected to stay for some time.
The 21-year-old Lakay entered the Super Rugby fray as a No.8 offering versatility, but with the explosive Brayden Ewes also in the Wellington squad, new coach Clark Laidlaw has brought Lakay into the side of the public. .
Adding to the equation next season will be the return of Ardi Savea. It remains to be seen where Savea will play for the All Blacks once the international season gets underway, but given the form of Blues star No.8 Hoskins Sotuto, a return to the open wing should not be ruled out for Savea, who has been playing as the No.7 in Japan. One would think All Blacks coach Scott Robertson would prefer to have his club rugby star wear the same shirt he would wear internationally.
Regardless of where World Rugby's Player of the Year lands, the Hurricanes' loose attacking unit looks very crowded, and although Laidlaw has recently opted to split the bench 6-2 in big games, you can't blame Kerivi for looking for a role Start somewhere else.
Anton Signer
A man who also suffers from New Zealand's wealth of loose attacking talent is German-born Anton Segner.
The 22-year-old has great size and work rate for the blindside, and unlike Kerevi on the openside, the depth at number six is looking a bit thin in New Zealand at the moment.
Samipeni Finau is the only specialist blindside winger to show form worthy of the All Blacks in 2024, with Ethan Blackadder struggling with further injuries and starting options for both the Highlanders (Sean Withy) and Hurricanes (Brad Shields) on either flank.
Segner's Blues teammate Akira Ioane has been impressive in 2024, finding his feet in a more traditional blindside role and keeping the young Tasman product at bay.
Signer has had some injury issues this season, but he also has a hungry Adrian Choate to deal with for minutes off the bench. Both players work hard on the field and although Signer recently opted to extend his time with the Blues, as he is four years younger than Choate, the time should come soon enough for him to find a chance to start at Super Rugby level.
Salesian Riasi
A man with plenty of talent and silky finesse, Al-Riyasi was making an impact off the bench for the Hurricanes in 2024 as coach Clarke Laidlaw backed Kenny Naholo and Josh Morby to start on the wings.
Standing 1.94m tall and weighing 105kg, the former All Blacks Sevens star offers renowned one-on-one skills and the ability to take down any number of players. Rayasi is a pull-and-pass threat who often finishes near the top of Super Rugby season stats lists for offloads.
Riasi recently announced that he is seeking a call-up to the Flying Fijians, having previously made himself available for selection for the national team. The 27-year-old has signed a one-year contract extension with the Wellington club until 2024, so he may look to find more playing opportunities elsewhere moving forward.
However, Josh Morby has been linked with a move to French club Montpellier ahead of next season Midi Olympic Even reporting that Morby has put pen to paper on a deal.
This could open the door for Al-Riyasi to return to the starting unit, although youngster Harry Godfrey is not counted. Regardless, Al Riasi is more than capable of terrorizing Super Rugby defenses and would be within his rights to look for a start outside the country's capital.
Harry Plummer
Since Steven Perofeta was injured in Round 6, Plummer has donned the No. 10 jersey and has also proven himself to be an intelligent game manager with the boots and brains to lead a winning Super Rugby team around the park.
The team is unbeaten with the 25-year-old in the driver's seat and the absence of All Black Perofeta has not affected the team's move.
Plummer has emerged as a real asset to New Zealand rugby, given the profound inexperience at five-eighth number one. Despite this, Plummer will likely enter the 2025 season as the Blues' third option No. 10 behind both Perofeta and the returning Beauden Barrett.
While he could slip to five-eighth easily, there is an argument that New Zealand Rugby may need him to get minutes at 10 to bolster the position following the departure of Richie Mo'unga.
Regardless, Plummer is a top-tier talent and deserves a chance at the No. 10 jersey.
