Sale Sharks sign Samoan international centre Johnny Leota - Rugby Union update
Aviva Premiership outfit, Sale Sharks, has announced the signing of the Samoan international centre Johnny Leota to strengthen their squad for next season. The English Rugby Union club, Sale
Sharks, has confirmed the signing of Leota in a statement released on their website on Thursday, August 11. Leota is expected to join the rest of the Sharks side at the end of the 2011 Rugby World Cup tournament.
Sale Sharks Executive Director of Sport, Steve Diamond, has expressed his delight on securing the services of the Samoan. He expressed his hope that he will gel with the players and coaching
staff very quickly. He further praised Leota’s ball carrying skills, defensive skills, tackles quality, and his line-breaks handling attributes.
Diamond termed the New Zealand born, Leota’s signing as a great addition for the team. He added, “He (Leota) is playing well and I have had my eye on him for some time.” Diamond further added,
“Fans will remember when we signed Graham Bond nine years ago and what an impact he had. Johnny is a very similar player and we have high hopes for him."
The 27-year-old Leota started his professional rugby union career with the Manawatu rugby union side, in 2004, during the ITM Cup tournament. He has made 55 appearances for Manawatu and has
scored 15 points for them.
Leota missed out from the 2010 season after sustaining a serious thigh injury. However, he made his comeback for Manawatu during the 2011 ITM Cup competition. He represents Otago Highlanders
in the Super Rugby competition and has made 24 Super Rugby appearances for the franchise.
The Samoan international centre made his international debut for the Manu Samoa in the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) 2011 Pacific Nations Cup. He made his debut against the Flying Fijians
on July 9, at National Stadium, Suva. He has played two international games for the Samoa so far.
Following his impressive performance in the IRB 2011 Pacific Nations Cup, it’s expected that the Leota will be able to secure a place in Samoa’s final 30-man squad for their 2011 RWC campaign.
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