Fijian Kunatani quits Harlequins to become one of 13 new signings at Castres
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.
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.
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).
“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).
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments