Falcons swoop on Tongan Tu'ipulotu
Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:34
Newcastle Falcons have signed seasoned Tongan centre Tane Tu'ipulotu on a three-year deal, as they look to improve on their lowly 11th place finish in this year's Guinness Premiership.
The 27-year-old Tu'ipulotu, who played for Wellington in the Air New Zealand Cup in New Zealand and the Hurricanes in the Super 14, does not count as a foreign player due to his Tongan passport.
The Falcons' acting Director of Rugby, Steve Bates, described the midfielder as an "out-and-out quality signing".
"As well as the physical aspects of midfield play, he also possesses excellent running and distribution skills, and he will be a very accomplished addition to our back line," Bates said.
"He has been playing to a very high standard over in New Zealand, is in absolutely fantastic physical condition and we firmly believe he will make a significant impact on the Guinness Premiership in complementing the backline talent already at our disposal."
Standing at 6ft 2 (188cm) and weighing 15 stone 10 (102kg), the supremely conditioned Tu'ipulotu has been instrumental in the Hurricanes' charge to the Super 14 semifinals, with the ability to play both inside and outside centre as well as on the wing.
Nicknamed 'The King', his running and offloading game earned him selection for the 2006 Junior All Blacks.
Having shared three-quarter duties at Wellington and the Hurricanes with All Black stars Tana Umaga, Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith, Tu'ipulotu's strong running and expert distribution skills will be a welcome addition to the Falcons squad when he arrives after the Air New Zealand Cup competition later this year.
