Ospreys chasing Nutbrown
Ospreys bosses have confirmed that they are in discussions with rugby chiefs in New Zealand with a view to securing the early release of New Zealand A scrum-half Jamie Nutbrown, after the 27-year-old agreed in principle to a two-year contract with the region.
Ospreys bosses have confirmed that they are in discussions with rugby chiefs in New Zealand with a view to securing the early release of scrum-half Jamie Nutbrown, after the 27-year-old agreed in principle to a two-year contract with the region.
Nutbrown has twelve months remaining on his New Zealand Rugby Union contract and has been hotly-tipped in his home country for a call-up to the All Blacks' end-of-year tour of the UK and, if negotiations progress, is expected to provide a stern challenge to Mike Phillips for the number nine shirt at the Ospreys.
A former Super Rugby winner with the Crusaders, Nutbrown has spent the last three seasons at the Chiefs where he has been involved in a keenly-contested battle for a starting place with All Black half-back Brendan Leonard.
The Ospreys are hopeful that an agreement can be reached in time to allow the player to arrive at the Liberty Stadium at the end of August, ahead of the new season.
Standing 1.79m tall and weighing in at 87kg, he has represented New Zealand at all age groups.
He moved to the Chiefs in 2006, where he has made 22 Super 14 appearances.
Having suffered a knee injury in the opening game of the 2008 campaign, he spent eight weeks on the sidelines before returning to the starting line-up in the closing month of the Super 14, starting three of the last four matches.
In recent weeks he has worn the captain's armband for Bay of Plenty in the Air New Zealand Cup.
“We are currently in discussions in New Zealand and are hopeful that we will shortly be able to confirm the signing of Jamie Nutbrown,” said Ospreys Elite Performance Director Andrew Hore, who is currently in New Zealand meeting rugby bosses there to discuss the issue.
“He is a highly rated scrum-half who has been on the verge of a call-up to the All Black squad on a number of occasions, as recently as this year's Tri-Nations.
“He has been hotly-tipped for the tour squad in November having gained extensive experience with both the Chiefs and the Crusaders, including being involved in winning a Super 14 title.
“The coaches we've spoken to have all said the same thing about him, he is a fantastic person to have around a squad as his enthusiasm and professionalism rub off on others and help to raise standards, whilst his rugby ability speaks for itself.”
Should the Ospreys successfully agree his early release, Jamie Nutbrown will become the fifth overseas player at the Ospreys, still two short of the limit for the coming season.
He will be reunited with his former Chiefs team-mate Marty Holah, and fellow New Zealander Filo Tiatia, as well as Scotland wing Nikki Walker and Ireland winger Tommy Bowe, who has joined the region this summer from Ulster.