Warriors keep their Tongan star
Legendary prop Tevita Taumoepeau will continue packing down for the Worcestor Warriors after the Tongan star signed a new deal at Sixways.
Front row giant Taumoepeau has enjoyed another superb season at Warriors, making 22 appearances, and enws of his extension has been greeted with joy at the Premiership club.
Taumoepeau – a cult hero at Sixways and known as Dave to his army of fans – has played a total of 178 games for Warriors and has become a rock in the Worcester scrum since joining the club in 2005 from French outfit Bourgoin.
The Tongan international, who has played 29 times for his country, is firmly regarded as one of the best signings at Warriors in recent times as he has gone on to dominate front row battles in both the Premiership and RFU Championship.
Taumoepeau, who has previously played for Chiefs and Blues, underlined his importance when he was named Players’ Player of the Year in 2007/008.
Warriors head Coach Richard Hill said: “The big man has signed for us which is fantastic news and completes our front row plans with Rob O’Donnell and John Andress at tighthead.
“He is, in my view, still one of the top three best tighthead scrummagers in the Premiership. He has one or two man-of-the-match awards this season, which is unusual for tighthead props but shows his importance to us.
“Tevita is now in better shape and playing better than when I first arrived. The conditioning staff have done a superb job to get him playing for 80 minutes. He keeps going and we see him carrying ball, he has improved his game.
“He is also very important for the squad. The team has huge confidence when he is playing, they know that when he plays in the scrum it will not move. Against big scrummaging teams you need someone who can lock out the tighthead and give you a platform,” Hill explained.
Taumoepeau said: “I am very happy to sign a new contract with the Warriors. We have played well this season and the club has big plans for the future.
“I have good friends in the squad here and the supporters have always been fantastic with me so I am very pleased to agree new terms and to be able to plan for next season at Sixways.”
