Force dip into Kiwi talent pool
Young New Zealand backs Albert Nikoro and Tino Nemani have signed for Australian Super Rugby franchise the Western Force.
Former Blues utility back Nikoro, as well as former Chiefs and Highlanders wing Nemani have both put pen to paper for two seasons.
Force head coach Michael Foley said the signings continue a recruitment strategy for the 2015 season.
"Albert and Tino are both fast with the ability to beat defenders," he said.
"Tino is a powerful wing who is very physical both with ball-in-hand and in defence while Albert has a strong running game and is a goal kicker that can play at No.13, No.15 and on the wing."
Western Force had an improved season this year finishing eighth, two points outside the play-offs.
"Our squad planning for 2015 has focused on three key areas," Foley said.
"Firstly, rewarding a number of younger players who have earned opportunities through their performances on and off the field during the 2014 season. Secondly, we've targeted the recruitment of a ball-running lock/back row forward and finally, we've looked to add depth in our outside backs.
"Signing Stevie Mafi after four seasons in the UK was a big plus and we've followed that with two young and exciting talents like Albert and Tino, who've had some Super Rugby experience."
Tino Nemani joins the Force from NPC side, Bay of Plenty, having previously represented the Chiefs and Highlanders in Super Rugby.
The powerful wing represented the New Zealand Schoolboys in 2009, and the Fijian Under-20 side at the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship, alongside Western Force centre, Junior Rasolea.
Nemani says he's looking forward to working towards adding to his seven Super Rugby appearances.
"I'm excited about joining the Force and getting into Super Rugby again," he said.
"I've played with Junior and Alby [Mathewson] before. I asked Junior about the team culture, playing at the Force and living in Perth, and he said he loved it which made signing very easy.
"I'd like to think I can bring some aggression and an attacking mindset to the team with my style of play. They had a mean season this year and I'd love to do anything that helps that next season.
"The best thing about the Force last year was their team play. They'd had some pretty quiet seasons before that but last year you could really see they wanted to play as a team."
Albert Nikoro heads across the Tasman to join the Force having been a member of the Blues' Super Rugby squad for the past three seasons.
In a period disrupted by a knee injury, the 22-year-old played five caps for the Blues and has represented Waikato in this season's NPC, having represented Auckland for the previous two seasons.
Nikoro made his debut for the Mt Albert Grammar School 1st XV as a 14-year-old in 2007, in a side that finished runners-up in the New Zealand Secondary Schools Top 4 competition, before claiming the title in 2010 when he went on to represent the New Zealand Schoolboys.
Nikoro says he's looking forward to being a part of the Western Force in 2015.
"I'm really excited about joining the Force; it's a great opportunity for me and there's a lot of talent that I'm really excited play and train with," he said.
"From the outside, you could tell that the Force was a tight group last season. There was an understanding between each other of how they wanted to play and that they wanted to play for each other. They looked like a good ‘team' and one I'm excited to be a part of."
The Western Force will commence pre-season training on Monday, December 1.
