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Fijian Kunatani quits Harlequins to become one of 13 new signings at Castres

By Online Editors
Fijian Sevens star Semi Kunatani. (Getty Images)

Semi Kunatani of Harlequins is one of 13 players unveiled by French Top 14 side Castres as a new signing for the 2020/21 season. Before Kunatani left for the shutdown, there was no firm indication that he would be exiting Harlequins following a two-season stay.

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However, it has now emerged that a February 29 appearance in the Gallagher Premiership in the win over Exeter Chiefs was his final outing for Paul Gustard’s side. 

Having previously spent three years in the French Top 14 with Toulouse before his switch to England, the 29-year-old now heads back across the Channel to link up with a phalanx of new players signed by the 2013 and 2018 champions.

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Kunatani said: “I’ve been honoured to play for a club as famous as Harlequins over the last two seasons. Even as a young kid in Fiji, I grew up knowing about the famous jersey. It is a great source of pride to me to have worn the colours and be able to call myself a Harlequin.

“I want to thank all my teammates, coaches, and staff for making my time here so enjoyable. Knowing the squad as I do, I’m excited to see what they can go on to achieve with so many exciting young players.”

Kunatani, who played for Fiji at the recent World Cup in Japan, isn’t the only Fijian incoming at the club as centres Vilimoni Votitu (21, Fiji Sevens) and Adrea Cocagi (26, Perpignan), as well as wingers Bastien Guillemin (22, Grenoble) and Osea Waqaninavatu (20, Fijian Drua) have also been signed for the new season.

Castres’ other recruits are Julius Nostadt (27, Aurillac), Gaetan Barlot (23, Colomiers), Tyler Ardron (28, Chiefs), Ryno Pieterse (21, Bulls), Florent Vanverberghe (19, Toulon), Kevin Kornath (23, Montpellier), Stephane Onambele (27, Toulon) and Santiago Arata (23, Penarol).

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“This recruitment started early in the season because we knew that we had to renew part of the workforce and replace emblematic players of the club, champions of France with Castres, such as Rodrigo Capo Ortega, Christophe Samson, Robert Ebersohn, Jody Jenneker, Alex Tulou and Julien Caminatu and to replace others who, for different reasons, had not been able to fully assert themselves in our workforce or wished to give a new orientation to their career,” explained president Pierre-Yves Revol in a statement. 

In addition, Castres also announced the signing of first professional contracts for two young hopefuls at the club, second row Dorian Clerc (22) and scrum-half Jeremy Fernandez (23).

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Bull Shark 44 minutes ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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