French rugby club CA Brive raid Cowboys for Taniela Sadrugu

The powerhouse edge player was promoted into the Cowboys Top 30 this season after starring at the Rugby League World Cup on a development contract in North Queensland.

Cowboys' Taniela Sadrugu is tackled in the NRL pre season match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Redcliffe Dolphins at Barlow Park Picture: Brendan Radke

Cowboys and Fiji international Taniela Sadrugu will reportedly end his rugby league experiment to return to rugby union with French D2 club CA Brive Correze.

The powerhouse edge player was promoted into the Cowboys Top 30 this season after starring at the Rugby League World Cup on a development contract with the Cowboys.

Sadrugu transitioned into the middle forwards while full-time with the Cowboys but did not earn an NRL debut.

Brive coach Patrice Collazo announced Sadrugu’s signing ahead of the club’s opening season game on August 19 (AEST), writing that his club had beaten “several good offers in the NRL” to sign the Fijian dual-code international.

North Queensland football manager Micheal Luck said the transfer had not yet been finalised.

Sadrugu had developed into a wrecking ball for the Blackhawks in the Queensland Cup, scoring seven tries and breaking 37 tackles in 12 appearances this season.

Interim Blackhawks coach Christian Quabba said the club was sad to see him go.

“Taniela can do things on the field that are quite unique with his skillset,’ Quabba said.

“He’s come from a rugby background and I’m excited for him and wish him the best.

“He was exceptional around the group. The boys love him; he’s got a quirky sense of humour and he’s all-in about being the ultimate professional.

“Taniela won’t play this weekend because he has got to get ready to go to French rugby and that is what he is concentrating on now.”

Originally published as French rugby club CA Brive raid Cowboys for Taniela Sadrugu