Lealiifano to Waikato

[fatprop]

Waikato sign Lealiifano for ITM Cup
Published: 8:38AM Saturday May 29, 2010
Source: ONE Sport

Brumbies first-five eighth Christian Lealiifano will become a Mooloo man for the 2010 Waikato ITM Cup campaign.

The 22-year-old, who was born in Auckland, will arrive in the Waikato early next month to embark on a one-off campaign with Waikato.

Waikato coach Chris Gibbes says it is a unique opportunity to have a proven, quality Super 14 player from outside our region wanting to play for Waikato.

He is keen to carry on his good Super rugby form into our national provincial rugby competition.

Christian is a skillful player, and he is the type of guy who Im sure will help inspire a lot of young players in our squad.

Lealiifano played six Super 14 games for the Brumbes this season before being sidelined with a knee injury.

He is now recovered from the rupture to his posterior cruciate and will be fully fit for the ITM Cup campaign which kicks off at the end of July.

He has played 28 Super 14 games for the Brumbies, scored 41 points - made up of seven tries, and two drop goals.

 

[Moses]

Re: Lealiifano to Waikato

Good to hear his knee is better, and great he's getting some gametime in the off season as well. Worked wonders for Tomura last year.

 

[tranquility]

Re: Lealiifano to Waikato

and Chibba Hanson. Should be a very positive experience

 

[louie]

Re: Lealiifano to Waikato

great news. should do wonders for him

 

[Scarfman]

Re: Lealiifano to Waikato

good on him for organising this.

 

[en_force_er]

Wonder if he plays 10,12 or 15. Still a good chance for a Spring Tour I'd say.

Shame as the only really good Victorian running around in the S14 he didn't sing with the Rebels.

 

[Scorz]

Well I hope he gets bored sitting on the bench while Trent Renata gets extensive game time. I'm even contemplating a banner. Really am quite disturbed by the WRU pissing around letting some foreigner play in a position NZ and the Chiefs are weak in.

 

[en_force_er]

Well I hope he gets bored sitting on the bench while Trent Renata gets extensive game time. I'm even contemplating a banner. Really am quite disturbed by the WRU pissing around letting some foreigner play in a position NZ and the Chiefs are weak in.

Surely they aren't harming depth bringing in someone like Christian who can fulfill a utility role. Wherever you are missing a player that week you can slot him in.

He'd be great to have around, even if you are developing players. He is young/enthusiastic and would add to the team environment.

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

Agree with Scorz. Don't like it, but I don't blame CL for getting it and I'm actually quite happy for him as a player I enjoy watching.

But spots like this should go to up and coming players, the grafters at club level who deserve the reward & other players who are committed to the NZ cause.

In all likelihood, my reasoning is probably just a mental scarring from being the hard working, never miss a practice, never miss a game unco kid, who constantly only made 20 min appearances, for the bigger, better fella who never went to training and never really gave a shit.... Would piss you right off if your the best fly half in the Waikato comp & you don't get to play NPC due to an import who in all honesty, has no real connection or desire to win for Waikato sake.

 

[Viking]

Wonder if he plays 10,12 or 15. Still a good chance for a Spring Tour I'd say.

Shame as the only really good Victorian running around in the S14 he didn't sing with the Rebels.

Im a brumbies fan and im actually dissappointed that both To'omua and Lealiifano stayed at the brumbies. I think they both deserve regular starting spots but one of them will always be left behind Gits which is a real shame.