He played a key role in two successful Magpies Ranfurly Shield challenges and their defences, the Magpies’ 2020 NPC Championship division triumph and the 2023 campaign, in which the Bay reached the Premier final for the first time, losing 22-19 to Taranaki.
In the HBRU statement, Flanders did not address the All Blacks selection issue, and wasn’t available for further comment.
In the statement, he said: “Hawke’s Bay has given me some of my best memories in rugby. The culture in the Magpies is something that stands out straightaway, and I’m so grateful to have been part of it and to share in some amazing moments along the way.
“I really appreciate all the support from the entire Hawke’s Bay community,” he said. “They are the best fans in the NPC by far. I wish the Magpies all the very best for the upcoming season.”
Flanders becomes at least the fourth senior member of the 2025 Magpies forward pack to become unavailable for the NPC this year, with captain Tom Parsons retired after 106 appearances, Isaia Walker-Leawere (60 games) heading for French club Benneton Treviso and Pouri Rakete-Stones (94 games) heading for Newcastle in England.
HBRU chief executive Jay Campbell acknowledged Flanders’ departure as a significant loss for the union.
“Devan has been outstanding from the moment he became a contracted Magpie,” he said. “His performances on the field have consistently been of the highest quality, and they have been matched by his humble and determined nature and the highest standards both on and off the paddock he always set for himself.
“From a young, promising player to a genuine leader hugely respected by his peers and within our wider environment, he leaves a big hole to fill.
“Devan rarely had a poor game,” Campbell said. “His Magpies Player of the Year awards in 2020 and 2025 reflect the standards he set throughout his career with the Magpies and the Hurricanes.”
“While it is always disappointing to see a player of his calibre depart, we are incredibly grateful for everything he has given to the jersey,” Campbell said. “On behalf of everyone at Hawke’s Bay Rugby and our supporters, we thank Dev for his contribution and wish him every success in the next chapter of his career in Japan.”
Flanders had been captain of the national champion Hastings Boys’ High School (HBHS) First XV, beaten by one point in the 2016 national schools final and claiming the title the following year, when he was named Player of the Match in the final.
Also in 2017 he was a New Zealand Secondary Schools representative, and was awarded the Jerry Collins Memorial Bronze Boot as the team’s most constructive player in the series against Australia Schools.
Among HBHS teammates were forwards Kianu Kereru-Symes and Jacob Devery and backs Folau Fakatava, Lincoln McClutchie and Danny Toala, who also became regular Magpies, and played Super Rugby, with Fakatava becoming Hawke’s Bay’s most recent new All Black (two test matches in 2022).
Their coach, Mark Ozich, became Magpies coach in 2018 and, after four seasons, joined Australian side Western Force as an assistant coach in Super Rugby, leading to his appointment as assistant coach this season at the Blues in Auckland.
Doug Laing has had 53 years as a journalist, and is a Hawke’s Bay Today reporter based in Napier, where he has lived since starting a second stint with the Daily Telegraph in 1987. He has covered most aspects of news, including rugby and other sports.
