Japan bound: Todd Clever
American Eagles skipper Todd Clever has signed with Japanese club Suntory, ending a three-year stint in South Africa with the Lions.
Clever is the latest is a long list of players to leave the Super 14 strugglers from Johannesburg, who failed to win a single fixture in the southern hemisphere competition this year.
The 27-year-old explained that his desire to prove himself in another league and to spend more time playing and promoting the game in his home country were the main reasons for his move.
"It is now time to take the next step in my career and explore new challenges," Clever told eaglesxv.com.
"I am thankful for the opportunities that the Lions have given me," said Clever, the only American playing Super Rugby.
"I have had the best teammates a player can ask for, and I am excited for their future progress. The team is about to turn the corner. Though I am sad I can't take the ride with them, I will always be a Lions supporter. Thanks to the Lions as I leave with the door open for future opportunities with Super 14!"
Comments
5Lock4ward says...
Looseheadcannon, Bravo my friend. My thoughts exactly on capitalizing on NFL labor unrest to create pro rugby in the USA, hell we should include Canadian teams as well. Word is Mark Cuban played college rugby and would help finance a league if he had some interested business partners. I wish Clever would have stayed on in the Super 14, either with the Golden Lions or jumping onto Melbourne Rebels. I also wish Louis Stanfill could break into Super Rugby. Another option for both of them would have been to get onto one of the teams that was promoted back into Premiership rugby like Exeter, just for some starting game time minutes. We also need to stop importing C side southern hemisphere players ASAP! We're coming though, you and I will be alive to witness the emergence of USA rugby.
Posted 17:22 17th August 2010
looseheadcannon says...
So where do I get my SunGoliath gear?
Im not sure how this helps USA rugby. I understand how it helps TC...more money and more playing time. Good for him! But outside of Clever and Ngwenya,we need 28 other guys who can play this game,and one guy who can coach. And while I'm asking for the impossible,a national rugby union that has a clue.
USA Rugby is asleep! With labor unrest on the NFL horizon,there's no better time to start a professional rugby competition in the US. Rugby will never beat the NFL,but it can succeed. Americans need teams they can root for,and Suntory probably wont be one of them. Anyone?? Buehler???
Posted 20:57 21st June 2010