All Black set for sensational switch to England's Premiership
NEWS: Malakai Fekitoa is set for a sensational switch to the Premiership, with Wasps to land the All Blacks centre according to reports.
He would link up with his former Highlanders teammate Lima Sopoaga, two key members of the team’s first ever Super Rugby success in 2015. He would also have regularly played against former Hurricanes captain Brad Shields.
Fekitoa’s arrival comes just hours after the shock departure of Christian Wade, who has decided to make a code switch to the NFL.
Fekitoa lifted the World Cup with the All Blacks in 2015, scoring two tries during their title-winning campaign. He has eight tries in his 24 tests for New Zealand.
Rumours over Fekitoa have gathered pace with Alex Lowe from The Times stating that the deal for Fekitoa had been done.
The 26-year-old joined Toulon in 2017, signing a two-year deal and formed a successful partnership with French international centre Mathieu Bastareaud.
The departure represents a massive blow for Toulon, who lost another All Blacks centre, Ma’a Nonu, last year. They have been struggling in the Top 14 this season too and currently sit third from bottom with just two wins from their seven matches so far. They also slumped to a shock 25-26 home defeat to Newcastle Falcons in the Champions Cup last Sunday.
The Tongan-born player had also been linked to Northampton Saints and Saracens and would join Wasps for the start of the 2019/20 season and as a result would continue to be ineligible to represent the All Blacks.
The signing is a welcome bit of good news for Wasps, who suffered a record European defeat to Leinster last week and are missing several key players to injury and suspension including Joe Launchbury, Nathan Hughes and Dan Robson.
@RugbyPass
