Brumbies Sign Henry Speight

[Muzzy]

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/new...ct-moves-on-fijian-speed-machine/1981530.aspx

The ACT Brumbies' search for blistering speed has landed them the signature of lightning winger Henry Speight for the 2011 Super Rugby season.The Canberra Times understands Speight has agreed to a two-year contract with the Brumbies.
He will move to the capital when he finishes his ITM Cup duties with Waikato in New Zealand.
Speight has been playing with Waikato for the past two seasons and his power and speed convinced the Brumbies the 22-year-old would be an asset in Canberra.
Brumbies coach Andy Friend wants to add more attacking potency to his back line for next year's Super Rugby season.
And Speight looms as the perfect man to increase the team's flair.
The Fijian-born flyer was recruited by Waikato after he starred for Fiji at the under-19 world championships.
But with the Waikato Chiefs boasting outstanding outside backs - including Mils Muliaina and Sitiveni Sivivatu - it is believed Speight saw a better pathway to the top level with the Brumbies.
The Brumbies also have a host of players capable of filling a spot on the wing.
But Speight could add the mid-field spark they have been lacking in recent seasons.
Friend will use the pre-season to fine tune his starting line-up and should Speight impress, he could bolt into the starting XV.
Adam Ashley-Cooper or Pat McCabe could move to fill the vacant No13 jumper while Christian Lealiifano could get first crack at the fullback spot.

damn i thought henry would be a future AB, Henry Speight is only 22 and looks like a star in the making, he's only represented Fiji at under 19 level, so in a couple years he'll be avaliable to either play for Australia or New Zealand. I only hope he decides to play for Fiji instead this is a very good signing for the Brumbies though

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Yeah it is, I guess it's a sign of the Chiefs' depth when Stowers, Anesi and Speight are all heading outside of the franchise.

 

[nickdnz]

Does Australia still produce their own players?

 

[Darwin]

Bit of a surprise to see him leave NZ. In the last few month he's been playing well - I expect he would have been pretty close to getting a Chiefs contract.

 

[Muzzy]

i think he was offered a Chiefs contract but chose to go to the Brumbies instead

 

[donmcdazzle]

I hate this new import rule. If they were smart they'd sign up our best 18 y.o's and then when they're 21 they can turn out for the wallabies e.g. quade cooper. Not a fan of this at all. wouldn't mind it if it was veteran players who already have international allegiances but i have problems with it when young guys get poached.

 

[markshaw]

yeah i forgot coopers a kiwi, probly because hes a **** and pushed mccaw after they beat us

 

[Kiwiwomble]

so, do we think he "saw a better pathway to the top level" before being offered a Chiefs contract or after he wasn't offered one? anyone know which came first?