Harlequins Rugby League signs French international hooker Julien Rinaldi on two-year deal
The London based English Rugby League club, Harlequins Rugby League (Harlequins RL), has announced the signing of the French international hooker, Julien Rinaldi, to strengthen their squad for next season.
Officials at the club have confirmed the signing of the utility player Rinaldi on a two-year deal, in a statement released on their website on Friday, August 26. Although he is renowned for his skills at the hooker position, he can also play at the scrum half position.
This will be Rinaldi’s second tenure with the Quins. Earlier he played for them in 2007 and 2008 season. However, the club dropped him following Rugby Football League’s (RFL) strict regulations for overseas players.
Harlequins RL head coach, Rob Powell, has expressed his delight on the signing of the experienced forward. Powell added, “It's great to have Julien back on board. He left the club in 2008 more due an RFL ruling than anything else. He's been exceptional for Wakefield this year and will provide strike out of dummy half with his running, passing and kicking game.”
Rinaldi made his French international debut for the French national Rugby League team in 2000. He has played 35 international games for France and was also named in France’s national side for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.
The French professional Rugby League player made his Super League debut for the Wildcats in 2002 on a short-term contract. In 2006, he joined the Perpignan, based French Super League outfit, Catalan Dragons. He made 24 appearances for the Dragons and scored 14 points.
The 32-year-old Rinaldi, at the start of the 2007 season, joined the Harlequins and made his debut for Harlequins against St Helens. He played 26 games for the Quins during 2007 season and scored 20 points. He made 21 appearances for the Quins in the 2008 season and scored another 16 points.
At the start of the 2009 season, the Villeneuve born Rinaldi joined the Bradford Bulls. He joined the Wildcats at the start of the 2010 season.
In between, Rinaldi worked as player and coach for his hometown club, Villeneuve Leopards.
Rinaldi will join the Harlequins from the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, at the end of the current season. The Wakefield Trinity Wildcats has confirmed the departure of the Rinaldi in a statement released on their website.
Wildcats Chief Executive Officer, James Elston, on behalf of the club has expressed his best wishes to Rinaldi. He said, “Julien has been a great servant to the club and, on behalf of everyone at the Wildcats I would like to wish him every success in London. He will continue to play at Wakefield until the end of the season and will then join Harlequins next season.”
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