Wallabies and Waratahs winger Taqele Naiyaravoro signs deal with English outfit Northampton
AUSTRALIAN rugby has lost another rising star, with giant Wallabies and Waratahs winger Taqele Naiyaravoro signing a deal that will see him rake in the dollars with English outfit Northampton.
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GIANT Wallabies and Waratahs winger Taqele Naiyaravoro will be lost to Australian rugby later this season after signing a deal with English outfit Northampton.
Naiyaravoro, who has two Wallabies caps, will play for NSW in Super Rugby and potentially Australia this winter before moving to England for the 2018-19 season.
The loss of the 125kg wrecking ball is a big loss to the Waratahs, in particular, who have enjoyed the immense ball-running power of Naiyaravoro on the wing since he was recruited from rugby league by Michael Cheika in 2014.
The Fijian was on the bench in their breakthrough Super Rugby title win.
His rampaging size and speed were at the forefront of NSW’s game plan in the Brisbane Tens last weekend.
Naiyaravoro made his Test debut in 2015 against the USA but has had limited game time since in gold, which may have played some role in his decision to not remain in Australia for a crack at the 2019 World Cup squad.
He hasn’t been selected by Cheika since the 2016 series against England.
Naiyaravoro has played in the UK before, after moving to Glasgow in the 2015-16 season before returning.
“I’m thrilled to be able to return to the UK and join a massive Club in Northampton Saints,” Naiyaravoro told the Northhampton website.
“The squad is already filled with talent and I can’t wait to arrive and try to develop further as a player.
“The Club is heading in a really exciting direction with the likes of Chris Boyd and Dan Biggar arriving next year, and I hope I can be a part of a push for more silverware at Franklin’s Gardens.”
Former Waratahs assistant coach and long-time Cheika ally Allan Gaffney was the man who lured Naiyaravoro to Franklins Gardens. He is there as a coaching consultant.
“Taqele Naiyaravoro is an immense talent and we feel that he can really fulfil his sizeable potential at Saints,” Gaffney said.
“He clearly boasts the physical attributes to cause teams a lot of problems in the Aviva Premiership and in Europe — and he showed that during his time with Glasgow.
“Taqele already has a relationship with Rob Horne having played with him at the Waratahs and I’m sure he will make a massive impact when he slots into the backline next year.”