Newcastle Red Bulls swoop for ex-Blitz Bok Werner Kok

Ulster winger Werner Kok has signed a one-year deal with Newcastle Red Bulls, which could be a sign that the Gallagher PREM outfit are losing their battle to bring Fehi Fineanganofo to Kingston Park next season.

Hurricanes speedster Fineanganofo, who broke the Rugby Pacific try-scoring record, is keen to rip up his two-year Red Bulls contract after being named as one of four uncapped players included in Dave Rennie’s first All Blacks squad of the year earlier this week.

Kok becomes a free agent on July 1 after being one of 11 senior players recently released by Ulster, despite an outstanding season with the United Rugby Championship outfit, helping them reach the Challenge Cup final.

The 33-year-old, who was the 2015 World Sevens Player of the Year, has won Commonwealth gold and Olympic bronze medals, and scored 12 tries in 19 games for Ulster last season.

Incoming Red Bulls boss Dan McFarland says that he is looking forward to welcoming Kok, the club’s 22nd new signing, to the club ahead of next season when the players report back for pre-season training next month.

“Werner is a proven try-scorer and highly experienced winger who will complement an already-exciting group of back-three players,” said McFarland.

“He is technically excellent around the contact area, a ruthless finisher and plays with the kind of high energy, physicality and optimism that we as a group want to develop.

“We are looking forward to welcoming Werner and his wife Zanyika to Newcastle Red Bulls, and working with him when pre-season gets underway next month.”

Kok, who played for the Sharks and Toulouse before moving to Belfast two years ago, says that he is excited to be involved in the Red Bulls project.

“I’m really excited to be joining Newcastle Red Bulls and the Gallagher PREM. I know there have been a lot of changes made but with that comes a fresh start, and I am really excited to be part of it.

“I hope to contribute in building a great team culture, bringing my energy and work rate, and I really just want to give my everything for the team.

“It’s a new town and a new adventure, and I really look forward to getting to know the people of Newcastle and the fans around the stadium,” he said.