Newcastle tap into New Zealand's reserves with immediate signing

Newcastle Red Bulls have made the immediate signing of North Harbour hooker Bryn Gordon until the end of the season as cover for the injured Hame Faiva.

The English-qualified front-row’s arrival continues a bumper week for the Red Bulls, who recently confirmed the signing of England scrum-half Raffi Quirke from Sale Sharks ahead of next season.

Gordon, 24, will join fellow Kiwi Tom Christie at Kingston Park this season, with former Blues team-mate Hoskins Sotutu set to join next season. Sotutu, another English-qualified option, played alongside Gordon in his sole Super Rugby Pacific appearance for the Blues last season against the Crusaders.

With summer signing Faiva still sidelined with a neck injury sustained in November, Gordon will be competing with George McGuigan and Ollie Fletcher for a place in the Newcastle front-row.

Though the Red Bulls currently sit at the bottom of the Gallagher PREM table, the club have already qualified for the Challenge Cup round of 16 with a game to spare, against the Dragons this Friday.

Fixture

Challenge Cup

Dragons RFC

12:00

16 Jan 26

Newcastle

All Stats and Data

“I’m very excited to be here, experiencing a new environment and a different brand of rugby,” Gordon said.

“It’s a great chance to continue learning and developing my game with different players and coaches, and I’m determined to make the most of this opportunity.”

Newcastle sporting general manager Neil McIlroy added: “Bryn has been a consistent starter at NPC level for the last few seasons, and been pushing into Super Rugby.

“He gives us another valuable option in a specialist position, Stephen Jones knows him from his time coaching Moana Pasifika and he will help ensure we have the depth and competition we need within the squad throughout the rest of this season.”