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London Irish sign rugby league star Sa
By Alan ManicomMay 02, 2012
London Irish have snapped up New Zealand rugby league world championship winner Setaimata Sa.
The 24-year-old centre will join in the summer from Perpignan-based Catalan Dragons on a three-year deal.
Exiles’ director of rugby Brian Smith said: “We’ve needed to replace Seilala Mapusua in midfield for some time now and Sa fits the bill perfectly.
“He is an outstanding defender and a powerful runner with great physical and technical abilities and is going to take the Aviva Premiership by storm."
Sa’s impressive combination of speed, agility, skill and physicality enable him to play a number of positions.
He is equally comfortable breaking the line as a power runner or using his play-making skills to release his team mates in the wider channels.
As a schoolboy rugby union star in New Zealand, he was scouted by NRL club Sydney Roosters in 2006, and subsequently moved to the Super League and Catalan Dragons in 2010.
He scored 13 tries in 66 games for the Sydney Roosters and 10 tries in 39 games for the Catalan Dragons.
A dual rugby league international, he has been capped three times by New Zealand, helping them to win the world championship title in 2008, and five times by Samoa.
Smith continued: “He is an exciting and wonderfully skilful player and we’re delighted that he will be joining the squad next season.
“I have followed his NRL and Super League career very closely.
“He was coached at the Roosters by my good friend Richy Stuart, the current coach at New South Wales State of Origin.
Sa said: “I’m really excited about joining London Irish.
“Returning to rugby union is something that I have been considering for a while.
“It has always been in my blood and testing my skills in the Aviva Premiership will be the ultimate challenge.
“The style of rugby that the Exiles play and the family values of the club suit me and my family well.
“I’m looking forward to getting down to it in the summer.
“I hope to be able to make an immediate positive impact.”
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