WALLABIES STAR SIGNS WITH FORCE

Sep 21 • Australia, General News, International, National • 963 Views • Comments Off on WALLABIES STAR SIGNS WITH FORCE

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Super Rugby AU champion Tevita Kuridrani will move west to join the Western Force for the 2021 season.

Kuridrani burst onto the international scene just a year after making his Super Rugby debut in 2012, winning his first Wallabies cap in 2013 against the All Blacks in Sydney.

The Fijian-born centre joins the club from the newly-crowned Super Rugby AU 2020 champions, the ACT Brumbies, where he has spent his entire illustrious Super Rugby career so far.

Kuridrani established himself as Australia’s premier number 13, scoring a try against New Zealand in the 2015 World Cup final and finishing as the Wallabies’ top try-scorer during the 2016 season after a world-class Spring Tour.

In 2017, he enjoyed a historic Wallabies campaign as he became the 28th player to score 100 career Test points for Australia.

The powerful 29-year-old, known for his explosive running and elite off-load skills, has won a total of 61 caps for the Wallabies, while also earning selection for coveted invitational side the Barbarians.

Kuridrani says he can’t wait to begin a new chapter in his career and take on the fresh challenges that await him at the Force.

“I’m really excited to be joining the Western Force and being in a new environment,” Kuridrani explained.

“I played with Kyle Godwin at the Brumbies, so I’m looking forward to playing alongside him again.”

Head of rugby Matt Hodgson believes Kuridrani is a massive addition for the club.

“This is a top-class signing that further bolsters our midfield,” Hodgson said.
“He brings a wealth of experience, professionalism and athleticism to the squad. To have made over 60 appearances for the Wallabies and scoring 100 points is no small feat, so to have a player of Kuridrani’s stature at the Western Force is simply fantastic.”

Head coach Tim Sampson echoed Hodgson’s thoughts.

“We are delighted to have secured a player of his calibre for next season,” Sampson said.

“Tevita is a class player and has contributed immensely to Australian rugby over the years. I remember watching him when he first came onto the scene as a youngster in Brisbane and suspected then he was a player who was going to go all the way.

“The discussions I have had with Tevita, he is very excited about moving to Perth, knuckling down and starting fresh at a new club.”

More player announcements can be expected in the coming weeks.

Australia Force Tevita Kuridrani western force