Connacht Rugby have
completed the signing of Samoa international James So’oialo.
The utility back, the
younger brother of former All Black Rodney So’oialo and ex-Harlequins scrumhalf
Stephen So’oialo, joins from Wellington Norths on a two-year deal.
The 24-year-old was part of
Samoa’s 2011 World Cup squad and has been included in their party for the
upcoming tour to South Africa.
“James is a superb utility
back who can play all positions but halfback,” Connacht’s new head coach Pat
Lam said today. “He can kick goals from up to 60 metres out and I’m sure with
the Galway wind, we will see him kick from even further out. To have someone in
our squad with so much versatility and who can kick goals from that distance is
a real weapon in our armoury.
“James will join us for the
pre-season straight from his summer duties with Samoa and I’m looking forward
to catching up with him then.”
Leinster’s Amlin Challenge
Cup win against Stade Francais last Friday means Connacht can look forward to a
third consecutive season in the Heineken Cup and Lam is “very excited” by the
prospect.
“We will be competing in the
Heineken Cup again next season and that is fantastic,” he said. “We have seen
the positive impact the competition has had on the community over the last two
years. To be playing against the best teams in the most elite rugby competition
is where we want to be and this is how we grow and build on the work that has
been done over the last number of years.
“Personally, I loved being
part of the Heineken Cup as a player and I am now very excited about my
involvement as a coach for the first time.”
With the addition of
So’oialo, Connacht have now filled “all their non-Irish eligible positions and
have a full quota of special project players with the recent signing of Jake
Heenan”, according to chief executive Tom Sears.
“We are very excited about
the quality and potential of the players we have been able to add to the squad
and, with the prospect of another season of Heineken Cup rugby to look forward
to, next season promises to be a hugely exciting one.”
Incoming
Players 2013/14
Hooker: Sean Henry; James
Rael; Dave Heffernan (Connacht Academy)
Secondrow: Craig Clarke, Aly
Muldowney; Danny Qualter (Connacht Academy)
Backrow: Jake Heenan; Aaron
Conneely (Connacht Academy)
Outhalf: Craig Ronaldson
Wing: Fionn Carr
Utility Back: James So’oialo