Exit: Kahn Fotuali'i
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Samoa scrum-half Kahn Fotuali'i is to leave the Ospreys after signing for Aviva Premiership side Northampton.
Fotuali'i joined the Ospreys following the 2011 Rugby World Cup and has made a substantial impact in the region, putting in a string of impressive performances that have caught the eye of clubs both in England and France.
The 30-year-old scrum-half, capped 13 times by Samoa, has won rave reviews for his recent performances in the Heineken Cup and is regarded by many commentators to be the best player in his position in world rugby.
The 6ft, 94kg Fotuali'i joins the Saints from the Ospreys. In his two seasons at the Liberty Stadium he has played 39 times, including in the PRO12 final success over Leinster and earning the man of the match award in the recent Heineken Cup game against Leicester.
Born in Auckland, Fotuali'i had been tipped for full All Blacks honours after making his mark in Super Rugby for the Crusaders, for whom he played 28 times. Instead Fotuali'i chose to represent Samoa, and after a man of the match performance in his 2010 debut he went on to play in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Fotuali'i has experience of playing both 9 and 10 at international and provincial level.
"Kahn is a player who has attracted a lot of positive headlines and attention throughout his career," said director of rugby Jim Mallinder.
"He has a superb set of skills and is a powerful and dynamic runner who will add to our options in one of the team's crucial positions.
"We're delighted that he has chosen to sign a long-term contract to play his rugby at Franklin's Gardens, and we're looking forward to welcoming him to the club in the summer."
Comments
5Lock4ward says...
I certainly don't mean to drag this out but according to his profile on both the Aviva Premiership site and that of the Heineken Cup he's played in 11+2 of the Premiership matches and all 6 of their Heineken Cup matches so far this season. So the injury becomes highly questionable especially since he played 2 of the 3 weeks immediately after the club announced the injury would prevent his playing for the Eagles. And as I mentioned previously he's been selected by Mike Tolkin and the Eagles for every single tournament since and including RWC 2011.
Posted 17:39 29th January 2013
bullitt says...
Pretty certain Manoa was injured for several week in the build up to the AIs. It's hardly unheard of for a player to be not selected when returning from injury at mid-point of the series. Happens regularly in fact.
Posted 16:54 29th January 2013
5Lock4ward says...
Thanks for the JVN articles. They definitely make different claims from what I'd read. This is the article I read on Van Niekerk at the time which should explain why I was posting the way I was on the matter.
http://www.22dropout.com/northampton/northampton-say-no-to-joe-van-niekerk.htm
As for Manoa there is no article giving definitive proof that the club refused to let him go. However the club did claim he would be unavailable during this just past Autumn tour due to a slight shoulder injury only to see him play for the Saints on 2 of the 3 weekends of which the Eagles were also in action. He also was unavailable during the previous Summer tour as he claimed he wanted to spend time with his family who he'd just moved over to England from California. My overall point here being that the club made him choose between the RWC and a professional contract. Yes, he made the final choice but he shouldn't have had to be in that position and I believe wouldn't have been at another club or if he were eligible for a Tier I nation. The family excuse for the Summer tour is plausible but how does one explain a public statement of injury followed immediately by playing 2 of 3 weeks for the club running concurrent with the Eagles Autumn tour?
Posted 02:11 29th January 2013
bullitt says...
I also point you to this article which goes into JVNs attitude over the saga in better detail:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/apr/24/rugbyunion.sport
Posted 09:59 28th January 2013
bullitt says...
Cobblers. Show me a squad statement where Manoa has been selected and refused release to a call up (which under the 2009 regulations, clubs cannot do inside a test window).
And JVN turned down Saints, so your arguement is invalid:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/mar/27/rugbyunion.sport1
Posted 09:57 28th January 2013
5Lock4ward says...
Manoa was selected by Mike Tolkin and the Eagles for both the Summer and Autumn tests which ran concurrent with the Tier I test windows recognized by the IRB. So again there is no excuse for Manoa's absence. Until I see or read an interview with him stating he has no interest in representing his country it falls back on the club. Also I didn't say that Van Niekerk's issue had to do with player release. My quote was in regards to their 'shabby treatment' of him regarding what appears to be a BS injury based on the way he's dominated for Toulon, not to mention captaining the side.
Posted 00:56 28th January 2013
bullitt says...
Ref: Manoa - Mike Tolkin is the man to harass about that. If the USA play a test inside the international window, Saints would release him for the match assuming he was selected and Manoa chose to play for them. (As there is no law stating he has to accept test rugby selection).
Murray - European Challenge Cup Final, 22 May 2009.
The rules about releasing players are very clear:
http://www.irb.com/newsmedia/mediazone/pressrelease/newsid=2027792.html
As for JVN - His mother is his agent, who had a hissy fit when she realised he'd signed for a club that's about to be relegated. Not sure what that messy saga had to do with releasing players anyway.
Posted 14:34 27th January 2013
5Lock4ward says...
@Bullit, I actually like the Saints believe it or not. I follow them and cheer for them. The World Cup situation w/ Manoa I'm naturally already aware of but the USA have since had both a summer and a fall tournament and he hasn't been there. Why not? Also Joe Van Niekerk, to the best of my knowledge was, turned away from the club b/c they claimed he had a back injury. As I understood it his mother didn't get involved until he had to clear his name in regards to disputing the alleged injury as he attempted to latch on with another club. As for Murray you're the first person to ever tell me on here that he was involved in a Cup Final at that time. If that is correct then I take back my comments about him. That said I think they got rid of him b/c of his stance on Sunday games. But since most of their games are on Sunday I guess I don't blame them. But make no mistake, I do cheer for the Saints. It's just that the Manoa situation leaves a very bitter taste.
Posted 01:34 27th January 2013
bullitt says...
@5lock4ward
Manoa chose to join up with Saints instead of going to the world cup
Murray was busy playing in a European Cup Final when the Lions wanted him for nothing more then a meet and greet for the sponsors benefit.
JVN pulled out of the contract (or rather, his mum did) when saints were relegated.
But say what you think though. Who knows, if you spout enough unsubstantiated rubbish based on a blatant dislike for the club, eventually maybe some fool may believe you.
Posted 09:36 26th January 2013
APV1 says...
He is a top class player and would be an assett where-ever he goes. Good luck to him and Saints.
@ lawynd - most teams have two quality 9s. Except Bath. As Frooschman states, we're struggling to find even one!
Posted 12:06 25th January 2013
5Lock4ward says...
@Bullitt, No sir. I'm remembering Samu Manoa's non-availability for the USA for the past 2 years. I'm also remembering the Saints refusal to let Euan Murray partake in the last Lions tour camp while also not forgetting their shabby treatment of Joe Van Niekerk.
Posted 11:57 25th January 2013
bullitt says...
5lock4ward... forgetting Pisi's winning try at the Millenium are we?
Oh yeah, I forgot. Saints are filth. Must remember to tow the line...
Posted 08:44 25th January 2013
Waz4before says...
well said @dezz ... if wales don't develop home-grown talent where else will tomorrows stars of the T14 come from hey ???
Posted 05:13 25th January 2013
jonesrp says...
One of the better NZ halfbacks in the last 10 years...
Posted 02:39 25th January 2013
5Lock4ward says...
Sorry Samoa fans, this signals the probable end of his international career. Saints only let their English boys off the chain come international tournament time.
Posted 01:41 25th January 2013
kennyisgay says...
dezz... you mustn't have any decent players that's why you suck in both club and country.
Posted 23:37 24th January 2013
Johnny_Guitar says...
Why not join us? We're not that bad a team and we have threatened to do OK in Europe which is more than he has done playing for a Welsh club. He doesn't have to learn a new language, move so far, and will play with a few of guys he probably knows quite well. What happened to us a few years ago against Leinster has taken us quite some time to get over, the bar is constantly being raised and there are quite a few big hitters around Europe now.Remember, Toulouse and Leister are already out so no team is immune.
Posted 22:35 24th January 2013
dezz says...
Chose to represent Samoa. Means not good enough for New Zealand then suddenly remembered his Somoan roots. After all the talk about the big bucks on offer from French clubs why join Northampton? They must be paying a fortune. Glad he's left the Ospreys. Please can we develop our own Welsh players instead of foreigners on huge sums of money.
Posted 21:58 24th January 2013
Johnny_Guitar says...
Love the anti Saints thing!! or is it anti English?? Looks like our next season re-build is taking shape. I think Ford would be a good addition and shows some intent. We then just need players hitting some form and playing to the capabilites. Over to Alex King for that bit...
Posted 21:36 24th January 2013
Ramm83 says...
@jmanngod - yeah we do. It's probably the only reason we beat you in the autumn...
Posted 21:23 24th January 2013