All Black Meeuws joins Scarlets

[Cymro]

Llanelli Scarlets have signed ex-New Zealand tight-head prop Kees Meeuws on a two-year deal from Castres Olympique.

"I was impressed by the ambitions of the Scarlets," said the 33-year-old. "I feel I have a lot to offer and look forward immensely to the challenges."

Meeuws won 42 All Blacks caps between 1998 and 2004, scoring 10 tries.

The Scarlets had targeted Meeuws's fellow Kiwi prop Greg Somerville, but announced last week that the proposed deal had fallen through.

"We have been monitoring Kees's performances this season in the French Championship and have been very impressed," said Scarlets chief executive Stuart Gallacher.

"We have been hugely impressed by Kees. His physical condition is terrific and he proved to us he still has the motivation to play at the top level in European rugby.

"Along with Simon Maling and David Lyons he will bring extra physicality and power to our squad and he will be arriving with us in Llanelli in late June."

Auckland man Meeuws played for provinces Otago and Auckland in New Zealand, and for the Highlanders and Blues in the Super 12.

He moved to Castres in 2004, left for Agen for the 2006/7 season, then returned to Castres last season.

"Kees's record and pedigree as an All Black coupled with his desire to achieve further success makes him a great signing for the Scarlets," said new coach Nigel Davies.

"He is a proven leader whose experience will be vital next season."


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_unio...ets/7407217.stm

 

[Sir Speedy]

You know what word I don't like? "Ex".

 

[Cymro]

Ha you would have got Greg Somerville had Gallagher not decided to sack Phil, what a clown that man is now!

 

[Sir Speedy]

I'd much prefer it if we signed someone around Regan King's age, so we can still get some of the best out of the player. This Meeuws is hardly gonna play his best ever rugby with the rest of the pack at Llanelli, is he?

 

[Cymro]

I'd much prefer it if we signed someone around Regan King's age, so we can still get some of the best out of the player. This Meeuws is hardly gonna play his best ever rugby with the rest of the pack at Llanelli, is he? [/b]

At least with Somerville you were guranteed another few more years than with Meeuws, reckon hes a step back rather than a step forward in all honesty!

 

[Sir Speedy]

I remember being told we'd be signing Rocky Elsom, even Jerry Collins name was mentioned.

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL....

 

[dullonien]

I'm slightly split on this signing.

On the one hand, he could be a great signing who could have years left in him like Filo Tiatia for the O's who's 36 and still going strong.

But on the other, the Scarlets would have been better going after someone like Horseman who should be playing for a Welsh region. Wouldn't this have been better than signing a possible has been just because he played for NZ.

Does this now mean the Scarlets have a total of 7 NWQ (non Welsh qualified) players in their squad, when the quota is 6? I know they applied to the WRU regarding this, has a decision been made, or are they in breach of the rules set out by the WRU? If they are in breach, what'll happen? Will there be a fine/reduction in funding, rules changed for all regions (I hope not)? Oh and one more question, what's the meaning of life?

 

[Cymro]

I'm slightly split on this signing.

On the one hand, he could be a great signing who could have years left in him like Filo Tiatia for the O's who's 36 and still going strong.

But on the other, the Scarlets would have been better going after someone like Horseman who should be playing for a Welsh region. Wouldn't this have been better than signing a possible has been just because he played for NZ.

Does this now mean the Scarlets have a total of 7 NWQ (non Welsh qualified) players in their squad, when the quota is 6? I know they applied to the WRU regarding this, has a decision been made, or are they in breach of the rules set out by the WRU? If they are in breach, what'll happen? Will there be a fine/reduction in funding, rules changed for all regions (I hope not)? Oh and one more question, what's the meaning of life? [/b]

There is a way of getting round the NWQ!

You basically send one of them and register them to the club Llanelli RFC / Llandovery RFC and they can just call them up from there!

Ive been told this is a possibly way and its a way round the rule!

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Or maybe one of them is going somewhere at the end of the season. Lamont, Manu and Lyons definatly have another season in West Wales, but I'm not sure about everyone else.

Anyway, this strikes me as a good signing, as the one area where the Scarlets have struggled this season is the Scrum, and so having somebody that is presumably a good scrumager is definatly going to be a boost, even if all he does is teach the likes of Rhys Thomas and Deacon Manu how to do it better.

 

[An Tarbh]

you do realise this thread is over 2 years old and Meeuws contract was terminated last year?

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Erm, no I didn't. No wonder I couldn't see it anywhere else. I'm a bit thick, me.

I blame the new forums for shuffling everything around!