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Leinster set to sign former All Blacks centre Charlie Ngatai
United Rugby Championship side Leinster have been linked to former All Blacks centre Charlie Ngatai.
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The French press are reporting that Ngatai has turned his back on an extension with Lyon, with Leinster the side said to be favourites to sign the 31-year-old centre.
It’s a fascinating signing for Leinster, who already boast British & Irish Lion Robbie Henshaw and Ireland centre Garry Ringrose among their midfield riches.
The Irish giants are renowned for producing homegrown talent and only dipping into the international market occasionally for the odd star signing.
It’s very possible Leinster are looking at Ngatai as a depth addition that will give Leo Cullen’s side more firepower during international windows, especially given the Rugby World Cup in France just around the corner.
They are also set to lose the services of stalwart Rory O’Loughlin, who will join Gallagher Premiership side Exeter Chiefs next season.
RugbyPass understands that the province had budgeted for a major second-row signing, but that with the transfer of one cap Springboks lock Jason Jenkins from Munster, there was plenty left in the purse for the high profile centre.
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With the exception of the incoming Jenkins, there was also room in for another overseas signing, with just one non-Irish qualified player – Samoan Michael Ala’alatoa – on the current roster, potentially allowing IRFU performance director David Nucifora the room he needs to greenlight the addition.
While Ngatai was only capped once for the All Blacks, he was highly rated in New Zealand before he made the decision to up sticks to Europe in 2018.
Former Leinster hooker turned pundit Bernard Jackman sees his addition as a smart signing for the Irish province, writing: ‘Great recruit for Leinster with former All Black Charlie Ngatai joining from Lyon in the Top 14… he is a proven top end player. Leinster produce lots of talent. It’s in show for the 4 provinces each weekend. I believe it’s a good thing for all 4 to be allowed add Quality where the coaches feel they need it. Vermeulen at Ulster, Synman at Munster etc’
Because he is a proven top end player. Leinster produce lots of talent. It’s in show for the 4 provinces each weekend. I believe it’s a good thing for all 4 to be allowed add Quality where the coaches feel they need it. Vermeulen at Ulster, Synman at Munster etc
— Bernard Jackman (@bernardjackman) March 27, 2022
The 6’2, 104kg centre made 51 appearances for the Chiefs in Super Rugby.
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Comments on RugbyPass
smith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
36 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.
9 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.
36 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.
2 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
36 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 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
36 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.
36 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.
36 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.
36 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 commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
36 Go to comments