Italian job for Halangahu
Former Waratahs utility back Daniel Halangahu has joined Italian club Zebre ahead of 2012/13 PRO12 and Heineken Cup campaigns.
“I am very excited to be joining Zebre rugby. At this stage of my career I believe my best rugby is still ahead of me and I intend to show this during my time with the club. Being immersed in such a wonderful culture is another great aspect of this opportunity, with my partner, Nadia, and I am very much looking forward to living the Italian way,” said Halangahu.
“I hope to be able to utilise my years of Super Rugby experience to assist in the development and growth of the exciting backline prospects within the playing squad. I come to Zebre rugby hoping foremost to have many successes on the field, to learn a new way of rugby, a new way of living and to also reward the club for giving me this wonderful opportunity,” he added.
Zebre director of rugby Roberto Manghi said: “There’s no doubt Daniel is a high-level player. We’re enthusiastic he accepted to join the team ahead of our first season in the RaboDirect PRO12 and Heineken Cup.
“We were looking for a utility back who can bring quality and experience to our backline and who can play in many key positions: Daniel is the right man and we’re confident his Super Rugby experience will contribute in developing our many young Italian backs.”
28-year-old Halangahu played 75 Super Rugby matches for Waratahs since 2005, skippering the Sydney team four times in 2012 and becoming one of the ten top-scorers in the team’s history.
He represented his country as a Schoolboy and played for the Australian Under-21s, Australian Sevens and Australia “A” in the 2008 Pacific Nations Cup.
During his seven years with the Waratahs he played most of his rugby as a flyhalf, but is equally adept at inside centre and fullback.
Name: Daniel
Surname: Halangahu
Birthplace: Belmont (NSW, Australia)
Birthdate: March 6th, 1984
Height: 178cm
Weight: 90kg
Position: utility back
Status: engaged with Nadia
Education: Master in Commerce – Sydney University
Honours: Australia A/7s/U21/Schoolboys
Previous clubs: Waratahs, Sydney University
