New Zealanders in Seville
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:45
New Zealander in Seville: Nani Hunia
There is a small concentration of New Zealanders in Seville, not for the oranges or the castanets, but for rugby and specifically at the club Cajasol Rugby Ciencias Sevilla which is currently preparing for the opening of the Spanish División de Honor on 21 September.
The latest signing is strong wing/centre Puanani Hunia from North Harbour. A player of the Helensville club, he has played for North Harbour in the Air New Zealand Cup and in Ranfurly Shield matches, after playing for Counties Manukau and Manawatu.
The province, for whom he has been playing this year, has released him from his contract to sign for the Seville club where he will play with other New Zealanders.
New Zealander Corey Smith, who played for New Zealand Schools with Hunia, played for the club last season.
Other New Zealanders signed this year are Taranaki goal-kicking flyhalf Kurt Morath and All Black loose forward Sam Harding, who had previously played for Northampton Saints and then on a one-season contract for Ulster.
The president of Cajasol Rugby Ciencias, Antonino Parrilla said of Hunia's signing: "We are delighted that Nani has accepted our invitation to join a team that is brim full of ambition for the coming season.
"Nani's quality speaks for itself. He is joining a group of talented players and the fight for a position in the starting fifteen will be intense.
"His experience and qualities as player reinforce still more that the team is trying to be competitive and will do the best it can to be in contention in all competitions."
Cajasol Rugby Ciencias plays a friendly against the Portuguese champions Os Belenenses at San Pablo on 6 September. The opening match of the División de Honor at Cartuja is against the Spanish champions Cetransa El Salvador of Valladolid.
