Premiership
Wasps announce another HUGE signing
125Kg of Huge… and he’s an All Black
It started off a poor week for Wasps fans with the news that Nathan Hughes and Willie Le Roux would be leaving at the end of the current season but things got a little brighter with the signing of Malachi Fekitoa yesterday.
Things keep improving on the transfer front for Wasps with another Huge signing announced this morning.
The Wasps social media team were teasing all morning about their new season with this series of Tweets.
Ps- These guys need a pay rise after producing probably the best signing announcement to date yesterday with their Jurassic Park themed video. Watch here.
Check out these teasers and see if you can guess who before the big reveal….
Drum roll please…..
Wasps are delighted to reveal the signing of highly-rated All Black tighthead Jeff Toomaga-Allen from Super Rugby outfit the Hurricanes.
Toomaga-Allen, who picked up a New Zealand cap against Japan in 2013 and was also named in the 2017 Rugby Championship squad, will make the switch to the Ricoh Arena this summer.
The 28-year-old burst onto the Super Rugby scene with the Canes in 2012 and has gone on to make 101 appearances for the franchise, helping them win the title in 2016 as they defeated the Lions 20-3 in the final.
He was also part of the Wellington-based side’s charge to the 2015 final while they have also made the semi-finals in the last two campaigns.
Toomaga-Allen will link up with former teammate Brad Shields at Wasps, with both having made their Hurricances debuts back in 2012, and both also reaching the 100-appearance milestone for the Club in 2018.
On the New Zealand domestic stage, Toomaga-Allen has represented Wellington 34 times in the ITM/Mitre 10 Cup, helping them to the final of the competition back in 2013 and was also named as their Top Player in 2012.
Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “To bring someone of Jeff’s calibre to the Club is fantastic news.
“Jeff is a solid scrummager while also being strong in defence, and like most New Zealanders, he is gifted with ball in hand so he’s a terrific all-round player.
“We’re looking forward to him joining us next season as he’ll provide a real wealth of experience to the front row.”
“I’m really excited to be joining Wasps later this year. It’s a fantastic Club with a lot of history.
Toomaga-Allen
“I want to help the Club compete at the very top of the Premiership and European competitions, and hopefully I can be part of something special in winning trophies.”
Sale Sharks have agreed a deal to sign Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu from French Top14 side Toulon.
The explosive centre, who starred for his country during the recent World Cup, has signed a one-year contract with an option for a further year.
He will join up with Alex Sanderson’s Sharks squad ahead of the start of the 2024/25 Gallagher Premiership season.
Waisea, 33, said: “I’ve watched the Premiership for a long time and it’s always been in the back of my mind that I would love to play there one day and experience rugby in England.
“Now that opportunity has arrived and I’m really, really happy and grateful. I’m so excited to get over there and join the boys and see how I can contribute to the team.
“I have spoken to Telusa Veainu and he only has positive things to say about the club and about Manchester.
“I’m looking forward to playing with some of the guys I’ve played against, like Tom Curry and George Ford. But I also know there are a lot of really talented young players in the Sale Sharks squad and I’m excited to share my experience and help them develop as much as I can.
“I told Alex that it’s what I’ve been doing for the last few years of my career and it’s something I’m passionate about.”
Nayacalevu, who stands at 6’4” and weighs in at 16st 7lb, spent ten years at Top14 side Stade Français before making the switch to Toulon in 2022.
He has won 34 caps for Fiji, slotting in at both centre and on the wing, and captained his country at last year’s World Cup, where the Pacific Islanders made the quarter-finals, losing 30-24 to England in Marseille.
He also famously scored for Fiji in their memorable pre-World Cup win against England at Twickenham.
Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby
Phil Brantingham to join Saracens
Prop-forward Phil Brantingham will leave Newcastle Falcons in the summer to join Saracens.
The 22-year-old has played 25 games for his home town club, and leaves with the thanks and best wishes of everyone at the Falcons.
Chairman of rugby Matt Thompson said: “Phil has done well for us and we made him a good offer to stay here.
“We respect his decision and wish him all the best for his move in the summer, but between now and then he will be fully committed to finishing the season strongly for Newcastle Falcons.”
Source – Newcastle Falcons Rugby
Sale Sharks can confirm that forward Cobus Wiese will leave the club at the end of the season to return to South Africa.
The 26-year-old lock has played almost 80 games for the club and scored five tries since joining from the DHL Stormers ahead of the 2020/21 season.
He played a key role last year as Sale reached the Premiership final, and this season he has featured a further 13 times for Alex Sanderson’s side.
Alex said: “Cobus will be missed by all of us on so many levels. He’s the most polite and courteous of people off the field, but the most wildly excitable man on the field, and on a night out.
“To say Cobus wears his heart on his sleeve is to do him a disservice with regards to his emotional commitment for which his body has paid the price on occasion.
“He leads by example and has earnt the respect and adoration of the group both on a professional and a personal level. We wish him every success and happiness with his move back home.”
Everyone at Sale Sharks would like to thank Cobus for his contribution to the club and the team during his time here and we wish him all the very best for the future.
Images & Content from Sale Sharks Rugby
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