Brumbies get some 'tall timber'
Thu, 01 May 2008 11:53
The Brumbies have signed colossal Tongan-born lock Sitaleki Timani for two years. The mobile 202cm, 119kg second row forward will join the Brumbies from the Western Force, after being drafted into the West Australian squad after last year's Australian Rugby Championship (ARC).
Timani says he's pleased to be joining the Brumbies until 2010.
"The Brumbies have always been a side that has developed their players extremely well," he said.
"I've always enjoyed the exciting way the Brumbies have played and I'm looking forward to learning alongside guys like Mark Chisholm, Mitch Chapman and George Smith.
"The Brumbies have a great record in Super Rugby and I'm looking forward to helping continue that success over the next two years."
Timani represented the Tongan schoolboys, before receiving a scholarship to attend New Zealand's Auckland Grammar School.
The now 21-year-old relocated to Australia on graduation, but joined the Cronulla Sharks in the National Rugby League due to eligibility restrictions with the Super 14. Timani represented the Sharks' Under-20 team and Reserve Grade sides in his two years of Rugby League.
Brumbies head coach Laurie Fisher says Timani has the ability to make a mark at the provincial level.
"Sitaleki's still very young in terms of his rugby development but he's a player who has the size and ability to become a regular Super 14 player," he said.
"He's an excellent size which will be of tremendous benefit to our set piece, but he also gets around the field well which is extremely important in the way the game is evolving.
"We have a number of excellent locks still on contract in guys like Mark Chisholm and Peter Kimlin, and I think that he [Timani] will provide another valuable option in the tight five for 2009 and beyond."
Brumbies CEO Andrew Fagan says Timani is a big man with massive potential.
"The Brumbies have had a number of world-class locks during our 13 years in Super Rugby," he said.
"We've been fortunate enough to have players like David Giffin, Justin Harrison, Alister Campbell and Mark Chisholm among our ranks, and we believe that Sita has an excellent opportunity to follow in the footsteps of these outstanding Super Rugby and Wallabies forwards as part of the Brumbies program.
"He's shown that he has the mobility to make an impression in rugby league and, being arguably the biggest man in Australian rugby, he certainly has the size and potential to be a force within Super 14 rugby.
"We believe Sita's a very exciting prospect for the Brumbies and we're really looking forward to having him on board from next year."
