Ospreys recruit Samoa international Kahn Fotuali'i

[TRF_Cymro]

The Ospreys have signed Samoa half-back Kahn Fotuali'i on a two-year contract from Christchurch-based Crusaders.

Fotuali'i was named in last season's Super 14 team of the year after an impressive campaign for the Crusaders.

The 28-year-old then started all three of Samoa's autumn Tests against England, Scotland and Ireland.

"Kahn is an extremely versatile player who is renowned in New Zealand for his professionalism and his hard-working ethic," said Ospreys boss Andrew Hore.

Fotuali'i is capable of playing both scrum-half and outside-half and has made 29 appearances for the Crusaders since joining them in 2007.

"He is capable of playing to a very high standard in two key positions," confirmed Hore.

"And with the versatility and experience he has, provides a level of flexibility to the coaches that will prove to be extremely useful across a long season.

"He has come through the Crusaders rugby system, which is undoubtedly one of the most professional development structures in world rugby."

Fotuali'i said he was excited about his move to Wales over the next two seasons.

"There are a lot of similarities between the set-up at the Crusaders and the Ospreys, both have a great reputation for bringing through young talent to represent their home team and the national side, and I'm really looking forward to a new experience.

"The Ospreys have a great set-up, with a fantastic stadium, quality training facilities, ambitious coaches and a good squad that is a mix of experienced internationals and young home-grown talent, and this move is a fantastic opportunity for me.

"Going to the Ospreys is going to provide me with a real challenge, both on and off the field, but it is one that I feel is right for me at this stage of my rugby career."

Fotuali'i is the Ospreys' second Samoan signing in the space of 24 hours after they recruited George Stowers on a two-year deal from English Premiership side London Irish.

The 32-year-old back-rower, who can play at number eight or blindside flanker, will join the Magners League champions at the end of the season.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/ospreys/9435746.stm​

 

[munstermuffin]

A super player but does this mean Biggar will be on bench next season

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

A super player but does this mean Biggar will be on bench next season

Yes. Biggar will be the backup flyhalf now that Fotuali'i, a scrumhalf, has signed for the Ospreys.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Yes. Biggar will be the backup flyhalf now that Fotuali'i, a scrumhalf, has signed for the Ospreys.

He does / can play outside half. Unlikely however.

Surely now Mike Phillips is on his way.

 

[Charles]

Good signing.


Mike Philips will end up in France, I bet...

 

[TVH11]

Why the feckin hell have we signed another foreigner.... Rhys Webb has shown huge potential while Phillips has been away with wales playing below par. Why buy another scrum half??? Am I the only ospreys fan that doesn't like seeing overseas players coming over and our homegrown talent being pushed to play for the welsh premiership sides?? Anyone know if Fotuali'i is any good??? I'm not clued in with super rugby i'm affraid, don't have sky sports

Its frustrating that we've recruited a back-rower and scrum half now (so far with more players rumoured), when what we really need is cover for adam jones. I know we've recruited the prop from Bath (can't remember his name now), but Craig Mitchell is on his way out and Cai Griffiths has had way too many opportunities to prove his worth .
The beginning of the end for us. i'm gonna go back and support Neath (saying that i don't think its much better there). Screw it Ammanford RFC it is

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

He plays 9 for the Crusaders and Samoa. I presume he'll cover 10 in case of emergency (like Ruan Pienaar at Ulster) but he's been signed as a 9 IMO.

I think the Ospreys should do all in their power to keep Mike Phillips too. Rotating Phillips and Fotuali'i would keep both very fresh and be a nightmare for opposing defences. The Ospreys have aspirations of becoming the top team in Europe and to do so you need competition for places all over the field.

EDIT - is there a limit on non-Welsh qualified players for the regions? I assume the Ospreys must be getting close to that limit if there is. What are the chances of Holah, Nutbrown and Collins sticking around?

 

[TRF_Cymro]

He plays 9 for the Crusaders and Samoa. I presume he'll cover 10 in case of emergency (like Ruan Pienaar at Ulster) but he's been signed as a 9 IMO.

I think the Ospreys should do all in their power to keep Mike Phillips too. Rotating Phillips and Fotuali'i would keep both very fresh and be a nightmare for opposing defences. The Ospreys have aspirations of becoming the top team in Europe and to do so you need competition for places all over the field.

EDIT - is there a limit on non-Welsh qualified players for the regions? I assume the Ospreys must be getting close to that limit if there is. What are the chances of Holah, Nutbrown and Collins sticking around?

Allowed 6 Non Welsh Qualified Players in your squad as per the agreement with the WRU in 2009.

Tommy Bowe
Jerry Collins
Marty Holah
Jamie Nutbrown
Nikki Walker

Then:

Stowers
Fotuali'i

That would take them up to the quota. Expect Collins is off to Japan and Holah is rumored to be heading back to New Zealand.

 

[dullonien]

I just hope Nutbrown is off personally. I just don't see what he offers to the Ospreys, especially with Fotuali'i on his way. I don't really mind if Phillips stayed or leaves. He's quality on his day, and competition for places is always good, and will hopefully get the best out of him once more. Webb deserves to be our no. 1 scrum half for the time being, he's been awesome recently, has really got the Ospreys playing a fast, open game. Needs to be seen if he can keep that up against better opposition, but he's earned the right to try.

 

[munstermuffin]

I thought I read there that he has signed with intent of playing outhalf. I must've read it wrong my bad

 

[profitius]

Let that fecking NWQ Bowe leave too!

Coaches will sign as many players as they can even if they're not needed. If there was 10 NWQ places allowed then they'd sign 10 NWQ players no matter what the quality.

 

[cyRil]

Hopefully this signing is more due to Nutbrown being told to eff off rather than Phillips going to France. Nutbrown is the biggest waste of space ever.

 

[Bluemoon]

Good to see the continuing support of young welsh talent from the one true region

 

[Darwin]

Really good signing for Ospreys - he is a top class player. No surprise to see him leaving NZ after he declared his allegiance to Samoa, as one of the main reasons for staying in NZ (the chance of making the All Blacks) is gone...

He's a big loss for the Crusaders, as he's been a major part of their team for the last few years, sharing the halfback role with Andy Ellis. I'm sure the Crusaders will be currently scouring the country for a young talented halfback to poach

 

[lynam1104]

Let that fecking NWQ Bowe leave too!

Coaches will sign as many players as they can even if they're not needed. If there was 10 NWQ places allowed then they'd sign 10 NWQ players no matter what the quality.

TBH I would rather Bowe stay put he only started laying well when he went to Wales and where would he play?(as in what team)

 

[TRF_RC]

I'm really hoping Nutbrown leaves. I've not seen him play one good game for the Ospreys in ages. Mike Phillips is on a seriously poor spell at the moment. I used to really like him, but he doesn't seem to bring anything positive to a match.
I like the idea of this new guy coming (saw him playing for crusaders against Sharks tonight, not enough to form an opinion) but then it occurs to me: If Nutbrown goes, then Mike is staying and with the new guy coming Rhys Webb is gonna be sitting around twiddling his thumbs instead of playing as much quality rugby as possible to develop him as a player. Granted he didn't have a great game agasint Edinburgh last night, but he's put in some cracking performances while Ospreys have been blessed with Phillips' absence.

Watch this space i suppose...

I thought I read there that he has signed with intent of playing outhalf. I must've read it wrong my bad

Yeah, i think he'll be there primarily as a scrum half, simply because we allegedly lost Hook over this whole Fly Half issue (personally, i don't think not playing 10 is the ONLY reason he left. I think there's some unrest at the camp thanks to certain individuals, and a French offer seemed like a perfect excuse to get away before it all blows up) and Ospreys have invested a **** load of time and games in Dan Biggar at 10.
I just hope we're willing to nurse Matthew Morgan in at 10 as well sooner rather than later, coz he's shown many times (for ospreys and under 20s) that he's capable of pulling out big performances at high quality levels.