Waratahs prop Sekope Kepu to join London Irish next season

The Wallabies’ longest serving prop Sekope Kepu is joining the exodus of players leaving Australia after the World Cup, with the Waratahs veteran moving to London next season.

Kepu will join a raft of Wallabies based overseas. Image: AAP Image/Darren England

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The Wallabies’ longest serving prop Sekope Kepu is joining the exodus of players leaving Australia after the World Cup.

Capped 103 times by the Wallabies, the 33-year-old Kepu has announced he’s heading to London Irish next season, where he will be coached by former Kangaroo Les Kiss.

“It’s a great opportunity for my family to try something new and I think it’s the right time for us to move,” Kepu said. “My family is very important for me.”

Kepu is ready for a new challenge. Image: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

Currently in South Africa with the Waratahs, Kepu will also end his long tenure with NSW, where he has earned 135 caps and won the Super Rugby title in 2014, in another blow to the team and coach Daryl Gibson.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity that was given to me in 2008 …. it’s certainly been a real ride,” Kepu said.

“I’ve only ever played for one Club in Super Rugby and I’ve had the most enjoyable time with the Waratahs.”

Kepu’s announcement comes just days after the highly popular assistant coach Simon Cron announced he was leaving to go and work in Japan with All Blacks super mastermind Steve Hansen.

Kepu will join a raft of Wallabies based overseas. Image: AAP Image/Darren England

Halfback Nick Phipps and winger Curtis Rona are also joining London Irish while Israel Folau is currently facing a Code of Conduct hearing to decide his future and Gibson said Kepu’s exit will leave another huge hole.

“He will also leave a legacy for young aspiring props who have benefited from his knowledge and willingness to nurture the next generation. I hope to see him back one day and serve the sport as a coach,” Gibson said.

“Being a longstanding member of the Waratahs, his influence I’m sure will be felt for many years yet.

“There are many of our younger blokes who have benefited from training and playing alongside Sekope and while we will be sad to lose him, it will make way for the next generation to step up.”

The Waratahs aren’t the only Australian team that’s being gutted by post World Cup departures.

Queensland Reds skipper Samu Kerevi is heading to Japan while Scott Higginbotham is off to France as is Wallabies winger Sefa Naivalu and test lock Rory Arnold.

Adam Coleman will also be joining London Irish and more signings are more are expected to sign lucrative overseas deals in the coming months.

Originally published as Waratahs prop Sekope Kepu to join London Irish next season