Exeter signs Sireli Naqelevuki
Exeter has signed Fiji international Sireli Naqelevuki on loan from Western Province until the end of the season.
The 29-year-old winger will link up with the squad and provide cover in an important area. He arrives at Exeter with a lot of experience, especially with the Stormers in the
Super 14 competition.
Exeter boss Rob Baxter said: "Obviously we'd have liked
to have got a decent pre-season into him. But the key for Sireli now is to come into the squad, train very hard, show us what he's got and do what everyone else does, which is fight for a place in the side."
Naqelevuki has a number of qualities that will help him have an immediate impact at Exeter. However, it may be a while before he makes his
debut for the club as coaches will want his fitness to improve.
Player qualities
Naqelevuki is very fast and this makes him a dangerous player in the wide areas. He stays on the edge of the team and waits for the ball before
running for a gap in the opposition defence.
He will be used to playing rugby at a very high pace. Very few international teams move the ball slowly and his experience with Fiji should
mean he has no problems coming into the Premiership.
He seems a very hungry player who is grateful to join Exeter. This should help him become popular in the dressing room and it means he has
a great chance of playing as soon as he's fit.
Baxter added: "He's a quality player,
now he's just got to come in, get his head down and work hard. I'm pretty confident he's that kind of a guy, that's what I've heard about him.
I'm confident he'll be a good member of the squad."
Naqelevuki should be very successful at Exeter. Baxter doesn't seem afraid to throw him in at the deep end once his fitness is better and
his position should ensure that he scores a few points.
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