Sale Sharks add depth to forwards pack with the signing of Onosai Tololima-Auva'a – Rugby News
Stockport based English professional Rugby Union outfit, Sale Sharks, has strengthened their forwards pack with the signing of Super Rugby back row forwards player, Onosai Tololima-Auva'a. Officials at the club have confirmed the signing of Tololima-Auva'a
in a statement released on their website on Thursday, September 29.
Sharks have signed Tololima-Auva'a to a short-term deal, which will keep the Super Rugby flanker at the club until February 2012.
Sale Sharks head coach, Tony Hanks has expressed his delight on acquiring the services of the talented back row player. It is reported that Hanks was the major force behind bringing Tololima-Auva'a to Edgeley Park.
Hanks stated that he has worked Tololima-Auva'a when the player was just 13-years-old. He added, “He's always been a good player. He's come through the Auckland system like Sammy Tuitupou and Tasesa Lavea, so he knows those guys and will be familiar with
them.”
Hanks has also said that he is confident Tololima-Auva'a will quickly adapt to the conditions in the Northern Hemisphere and contribute positively to the team. He added, “When you are bringing someone in the middle of a season, you are looking for someone
who can slot in seamlessly and that's what Onosa'i will be able to do.”
The coach has down-played the injury problems faced by Tololima-Auva'a and its effect on the flanker’s rugby playing skills. He continued, “It's good timing for him, too, as he's had a few niggles over the past couple of years, so he hasn't had the consistent
game time that he would have liked. It's a nice fit for him as much as us, as we're going to get someone who is really motivated.”
The 26-year-old Tololima-Auva'a has expressed his delight with his new short-term deal with the Sharks. He added that the deal will allow him to play in Europe and compete with European players.
The Auckland born Tololima-Auva'a is a New Zealand based player. He started his professional career with New Zealand’s provincial Rugby Union side, Auckland, in 2006. He so far has made approximately 52 appearances for Auckland in the Air New Zealand Cup.
Tololima-Auva'a made his Super Rugby debut for the Auckland based New Zealand Super Rugby franchise, Blues. He so far has made 18 Super Rugby appearances for Blues and has scored 10 points. He also represented New Zealand national sides at the under-19s
and under-21s level. He was also part of the All Blacks seven team, which took part in the 2006 Common Wealth Games, held in Melbourne, Australia.
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