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Toulon seal deal for giant 6 foot 8, 138kg Samoan secondrow

By Online Editors
Brian Alainu’uese in action for Glasgow Warriors against Saracens. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Glasgow Warriors have reached an agreement to release Brian Alainu’uese from his contract seven months early, allowing the second-row to complete his move to the French Top 14 side Toulon.

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The 24-year-old brings to an end a two-year spell in Glasgow where he made 22 appearances for the Warriors.

Alainu’uese will certainly add considerable bulk to Toulon’s pack, weighing in at 138kg and towering at 2.07 metres.

The 24-year-old played five times for Samoa’s Under 20’s, scoring one try.

He joined the Scottish club in 2016 from Waikato. He also has Super Rugby experience, with two appearances for the Chiefs when they were coached by current Warriors head coach Dave Rennie.

Rennie reflected on the reasons to allow Alainu’uese to move to France: “It’s a decision that’s in the best interest of both the player and the club.

“Brian’s had a number of injuries over the last couple of years and we’ve not been able to play him as often as we would have liked, but he’s a good man, is very popular among the squad and will be missed.

“When he’s fit and firing he’s an excellent player and we wish him all the best in France.”

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Glasgow Warriors Managing Director, Nathan Bombrys, added: “This move gives Brian an opportunity to secure a longer-term contract and will allow us to strengthen our squad in other key areas.”

Brian Alainu’uese, said: “I’ve really enjoyed my two years in Glasgow. They’re a good bunch of boys and everyone made me feel very welcome. I hope the club goes on to have a lot of success in the future.”

Toulon have had a poor start to the season, they’re third from bottom in the Top 14 with just two wins and from their seven matches so far. They are also bottom of Pool 5 in the Heineken Champions Cup having lost at home to Newcastle Falcons in the opening round, followed by a 40-14 thrashing at the hands of Edinburgh.

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Meanwhile, Glasgow Warriors have agreed to an early release for Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach, Phil Healey to return home to New Zealand for personal reasons.

Phil will take up a position with Super Rugby side, the Blues, next month and leaves with the club’s best wishes for the future.

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Trevor 57 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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