Wasps sign another All Black
TRANSFER NEWS: English club Wasps have signed another All Black.
Highly-rated All Black tighthead Jeff Toomaga-Allen will join Wasps from Super Rugby outfit the Hurricanes.
This latest signing comes after Wasps confirmed that talented New Zealand centre Malakai Fekitoa will join them from French giants Toulon.
Toomaga-Allen, who picked up a New Zealand cap against Japan in 2013 and was also named in the 2017 Rugby Championship squad, will make the switch to the Ricoh Arena after Super Rugby.
The 28-year-old burst onto the Super Rugby scene with the Canes in 2012 and has gone on to make 101 appearances for the franchise, helping them win the title in 2016 as they defeated the Lions 20-3 in the final.
🥁 It is of course… 🥁
JEFF TOOMAGA-ALLEN!
Welcome the All Black tighthead to the #WaspsFamily! 🐝🐝🐝 pic.twitter.com/yTk8sJtHNw
— Wasps Rugby (@WaspsRugby) January 17, 2019
He was also part of the Wellington-based side’s charge to 2015 final while they have also made the semifinals in the last two campaigns.
Toomaga-Allen will link up with former teammate Brad Shields at Wasps, with both having made their Hurricances debuts back in 2012, and both also reaching the 100-appearance milestone for the franchise in 2018.
On the New Zealand domestic stage, Toomaga-Allen has represented Wellington 34 times in the NPC, helping them to the final of the competition back in 2013 and was also named as their Top Player in 2012.
Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “To bring someone of Jeff’s calibre to the Club is fantastic news.
“Jeff is a solid scrummager while also being strong in defence, and like most New Zealanders, he is gifted with ball in hand so he’s a terrific all-round player.
“We’re looking forward to him joining us next season as he’ll provide a real wealth of experience to the front row.”
Toomaga-Allen added: “I’m really excited to be joining Wasps later this year. It’s a fantastic club with a lot of history.
“I want to help the club compete at the very top of the Premiership and European competitions, and hopefully I can be part of something special in winning trophies.”
The club also confirmed the signing of promising Exeter Chiefs tighthead prop Jack Owlett.
The 23-year-old will make the switch to Ricoh Arena in the season after spending two seasons with the 2016/17 Premiership champions.
Owlett was a key part of the University of Exeter side which lifted the BUCS title at Twickenham in 2016, with his on-field displays catching the attention of the Chiefs, who used the A League as an opportunity to look at the tighthead’s potential.
The former Scotland Under 20s international was offered a senior Academy contract with the club following his full-time education and has since gone on to make six first-team appearances.
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