Ospreys have secured the signing of versatile Crusaders back, Kieron Fonotia.
Capable of playing on the wing or in the centre, Fonotia will join up the Pro12 outfit later on this year, ahead of the 2016/17 campaign.
The 28-year-old was born in Christchurch, New Zealand and has been a very useful asset for the Crusaders for the last two Super Rugby seasons. He helped the club to a Super Rugby final in 2014, although the Crusaders lost to Waratahs.
With Ospreys currently struggling with some injures in the backline, Fonotia will come in and help the Welsh club add depth and quality.
Ospreys general manager has expressed his delight about the capture of Fonotia:
We are delighted to be able to announce the signing of a player who has made a huge impact in Super Rugby over the last few years alongside some of world rugby’s most exciting backs, and whose versatility will make him a huge asset for us over the coming seasons.
He will bring a positive mindset and a willingness to challenge defenders with a dynamism and skill set that can grow our game and complement the players around him.
The powerful runner is a tremendous coup for Steve Tandy’s men and shows a statement of intent to their Pro12 rivals, with their second Southern Hemisphere signing of the season – South African international JJ Engelbrecht being the first.
