London Irish have confirmed that Samoa International Setaimata Sa will join up with the squad this week at Sunbury.
The former Catalan Dragons' star penned a three-year deal last year and will be available for London Irish for the remainder of this season and the coming seasons, having secured his UK Visa.
The move to London Irish means that Setaimata will be returning to his sporting roots. Originally from Canterbury Crusader territory, as a schoolboy rugby union star in New Zealand he was scouted by NRL club, Sydney Roosters in 2006.
He subsequently moved to the Super League and Catalan Dragons in 2010. Sa, as he prefers to be called, has a good try-scoring record in senior rugby league, scoring 13 tries in 66 games for the Sydney Roosters and 10 tries in 39 games for the Catalan Dragons.
A dual rugby league international, he has been capped three times by New Zealand, helping them to win the World Cup title in 2008 and five times by Samoa. He made his International rugby union debut for Samoa last November in their triumph over Canada.
It has been a long process but we a delighted that Sa can now join up with the squad," said London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith.
"He is itching to be involved and the squad is looking forward to having him on board. Once he gets the hang of playing rugby union again there will be no better all round midfielder in the country."
Comments
TVaddict says...
@APV1
Posted 13:31 24th January 2013
APV1 says...
A good signing for a team who REALLY need some good signings.
I'm still uncomfortable with the regulations which allow players to be capped in different sports for different countries (a al Hape), but I've voiced my objections to the IRB, so am now resigned to the fact that it's a bit peculiar. Maybe it's just me...
Posted 16:51 22nd January 2013
runmunkii says...
Great news, but I'd like to hear where Mr Smith been splashing the cash this January on NEW signings.
Posted 13:28 22nd January 2013