Blues and All Blacks winger Joe Rokocoko signs three year deal with Bayonne
– Rugby update
French Top 14 side, Aviron Bayonnais
or commonly referred to as Bayonne, confirmed the signing of the All Blacks star winger Josevata “Joe” Rokocoko on a two-year contract with an option to extend it a third year. Joe Rokocoko will make his way into the Bayonne based club after
the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Bayonne finished the 2010/11 Top 14 season at seventh position with 71 points from the 26 games they have played in the season. Bayonne missed out from making the play-offs of the 2010 Top 14 with a sliver of a difference of two points.
Bayonne’s head coach, Christian Gajan, has welcomed the signing of the All Blacks international and termed him a good future player for the club. Commenting on Rokocoko’s signing, Gajan said, “He's still young and he is going to bring us enormous experience.
He's one of the high level five or six players that we were looking for.”
Last week Bayonne had already signed the former All Blacks loose forward Sione Lauaki and prop Neemia Tialata. Sione Lauaki joins the club from Clermont Auvergne while Neemia Tialata will join from Hurricanes to make his Northern Hemisphere debut for Bayonne.
Commenting on developing the new squad for next season, Gajan said, “We had to compensate for the departure of about ten players. Now we've got a squad of about 30 plus about ten youngsters from ([local clubs] Reichel and Crabos.”
Bayonne’s head coach further added that they are still searching for a player of international repute for their second row. He also added that the club is in talks with some key international players but didn’t provide the name
of players shortlisted by the club that would help bolster the team.
The 27-year-old Joe is an integral part of the Auckland Blues and All Blacks outfit. He made his super rugby debut for the Blues at the age of 20 against the Waratahs in 2003. Joe has used his speed and strength to get 66 caps
and has scored 230 points, with all points coming from tries. He made his international debut in 2003 against the touring England’s side.
Joe is 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighs 98 kg, and has represented New Zealand in 68 tests. He has scored 46 tries including eight Rugby World cup tries. He has also represented the All Blacks in Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations series.
He also has the honour of playing for the Barbarians.
Bayonne’s side is definitely strengthened with the signing of such high profile player and this signing may eventually hand them the domestic and European crowns after so many years.
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