Scarlets confirm Maori All Black replacement for Beirne
Scarlets are delighted to announce that Maori All Black Blade Thomson will join the region in time for the 2018-19 season.
A Junior World Championship winner, international and seasoned pro in Super Rugby, 27-year-old Thomson currently plays for the Hurricanes. He was a member of the New Zealand Under 20s team that won the Junior World Championship in 2010. He was first called in to the Maori All Blacks in 2013.
His versatility as a loose forward means he play at number 8, six and in the second row. His impressive 198cm (6’ 5″) frame will add another lineout option to Scarlets’ pack.
Thomson made his Super Rugby debut in 2013, where he played alongside Scarlets centre and Wales international Hadleigh Parkes, and has proved himself to be a dynamic, quick and skilful loose forward scoring seven tries.
Commenting on the news Head Coach Wayne Pivac said; “Blade’s Super Rugby experience will a welcome addition to the pack and the squad as a whole. He is a very athletic, no-nonsense player with a big engine who will be an effective ball carrier both in the wide channels as well as in the middle of the park.
“Blade is highly regarded in New Zealand whilst an untimely injury impacted on his rugby in the last six months but he’s certainly a physical player who possess the skillset to play the Scarlets way.”
Jon Daniels, Scarlets General Manager of Rugby, said; “We have ambitions of competing in the knockout stages of the Guinness PRO14 and European Rugby Champions Cup season to season where strength in depth in the squad plays a huge part. Blade will bring a wealth of experience and will bring an additional physical edge to the pack. We very much look forward to welcoming him to Parc y Scarlets.”
Blade Thomson added; “I’m really looking forward to heading north to join the Scarlets for the 2018-19 season. They play an exciting brand of rugby, finished last season as champions and are continuing to push for silverware in both competitions. I’m excited to join such a world-renowned club but my focus is fully on finishing the current season on a high with the Hurricanes and hopefully lifting some silverware.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Bath Fan acting all innocent, like Hill would just walk up and casually do that without a reason too 😂
1 Go to commentsDrua have been a fantastic addition to Super. Aus now down to 4 teams. Bring the Jaguares back in, they were Finalists in their last season. Super crowds are rising with afternoon KO’s, not having to cowtow to viewer schedules in UK/SA. win-win.
1 Go to commentsHamilton is an idiot. This cringeworthy desperation of journalists to enter the ‘GOAT’ debate. Have they lost the ability to think of something new and interesting to write about ? Its a pointless argument. Even using the eg of McCaw and Carter. One is a back, the other a forward. 2 totally different skill sets. Impossible to compare. Does a player need to win gold to be considered a ‘GOAT’ or is his skill evaluated independently of trophies ? And why compare Dupont, still at the start/mid of his career with 2 players with 150 caps each (approx) ? are Gareth Edwards and Pinetree Meads and Danie Gerber and David Campese not considered because they were amateurs ? Maybe let Dupont have his career first. And then compare him with others in his position, only.
27 Go to commentsJapan deserves better than this.
3 Go to commentsLove watching this kid play. He’ll be wearing black at some stage.
3 Go to commentsNoah Hotham has put in some stellar performances at halfback for the Crusaders. Especially home win against the Chiefs, loss to the Highlanders and the last two home wins against the Blues and Moana Pasifika. Confidence and skill set. Well summed up by coach Rob Penney. Noah is a All Black in waiting.
3 Go to commentsIf you want to bugger up a game give it to O’Keefe. Inconsistent advantage rulings for knock ons, an unfortunate propensity to use cards instead of player management. Ross may well have been offside but he had no influence on that phase of play. Its a pity O’Keefe is not Australian and then he would not be reffing the Wallabies - at least we are saved from Berry!
1 Go to commentsRachel Burford had the best pass in women’s rugby and was a class act. Jill Scott would have had many more England caps if the competition for places had not been so keen. Many other nations would have welcomed her.
2 Go to commentsAn SA team tops the log again
3 Go to commentsMarius Louw used to be the guy who couldn’t catch a ball. But this season he seems to be the guy suffering from ‘roid rage. There was no need at all to shove Davids and if he hadn’t, his team would’ve had 15 players on the field for the entire match. How does it feel to be the probable cause for your team not qualifying for next season’s Champions Cup? Hmm Marius, how does it feel?
2 Go to commentsHow to watch it??
3 Go to commentsHaven’t heard of any of em
3 Go to commentsIt was high. But unfortunate. Difficult to tackle a guy who’s knee-high.
2 Go to commentsGo Ulster!
3 Go to commentsPhepsi Buthelezi must surely get a crack at Wales. Masuku too.
1 Go to commentsI don't want to say there's a curse but Aussie Props are dropping like Spinal Tap Drummers this year
1 Go to commentsCorrection; Wacokecoke signed for Doncaster the other day
3 Go to commentsThis kid will be an All Black sooner rather than later. His ability to extract the most from any situation is unbelievable. Come next season he could be no. 2 behind Roigard. Another damn Crusader lol, out of Hamilton.
3 Go to commentsMngomezulu looking good at 15. I maintain, Evan Roos is much more effective at 6 than an 8. JC Pretorius is a damn good 6 too.
1 Go to commentsThe smoke and mirrors begin.
3 Go to comments