New Zealand and Hurricanes back-rower Vaea Fifita is reportedly considering a move to the Premiership with Exeter Chiefs keen to recruit the powerhouse.
Fifita, who has expressed disappointment at not making the All Blacks squad for this year’s Rugby Championship, would join last seasons runners-up on a short-term deal until January.
The 26-year-old would then return to New Zealand ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup next September.
TRANSFER RUMOUR: We have been informed that Exeter Chiefs are looking for cover at lock and backrow.
We have also been told that this could be in the form of All Black Vaea Fifita until January.
Fifita has expressed disappointment at not making the All Blacks squad. pic.twitter.com/pprWTY8yUv
— RugbyInsideLine (@RugbyInsideLine) August 19, 2018
Born in Tonga, the raw-boned Fifita moved to New Zealand to attend Auckland’s Tamaki College after visiting with the Tongan Schools side in 2010. He moved to Wellington and made his provincial debut there in 2013, played for the National Sevens-winning Wellington Sevens team in 2014 and then debuted for the Hurricanes in 2015.
Born in Tonga, the raw-boned Fifita moved to New Zealand to attend Auckland’s Tamaki College after visiting with the Tongan Schools side in 2010. He moved to Wellington and made his provincial debut there in 2013, played for the National Sevens-winning Wellington Sevens team in 2014 and then debuted for the Hurricanes in 2015.
While he has also played lock, Fifita is a skilful loose forward, who started playing rugby in the backs. While his height and agility make him a useful lineout option, he is a potent attacking weapon, with ball in hand.
His hurdling of an opposition player during a provincial match in 2016 stunned rugby fans, with TV footage of the feat going viral, while his 60-metre try against Argentina earlier this year again had commentators reaching for the superlatives.
Fifita was first called into the All Blacks as a replacement on the European Tour in 2016, but didn’t play, and eventually made his debut against Samoa in 2017.