All Black completes Bristol move - Ruck

All Black completes Bristol move

  • Bristol have signed New Zealand international Steven Luatua
  • The 25-year-old will team up with Pat Lam for the 2017/18 season
Bristol have announced that All Blacks back-rower Steven Luatua has agreed terms to join the club next season.

Among the most significant signings in the club’s recent history, the 25-year-old will arrive ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.

Regarded as one of the most destructive players in the Southern Hemisphere, Luatua has fifteen international caps for New Zealand, touching down in the victory over Italy in November 2016.



“Since bursting onto the scene as a 19 year-old, Steven has been a consistently formidable presence, both at Super Rugby and for the All Blacks,” head coach Mark Tainton said.

“He’s a hungry, ambitious 25-year-old and a standout performer at the very highest level.”


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Luatua, who can also play in the second row, has made over sixty Super Rugby appearances for the Blues.

He added: “I have a fantastic relationship with Pat [Lam] and I enjoyed working with him at the Blues. I’m looking forward to taking on a new challenge with Bristol and contributing to the long term vision of the club.

“Bristol Rugby is one of the most ambitious clubs in the UK and that’s backed up by a really passionate fan base. I’ve heard great things about the environment that is being built there and the plans in place, so I can’t wait to get started in the summer.”