Wallabies hooker Folau Fainga’a has signed with French giants Clermont in a deal beginning at the end of 2023.
The 27-year-old makes the move, despite having recently signed a new one-year deal with Super Rugby Pacific side Western Force.
Powerful player
Clermont coach Jono Gibbes is delighted to have Fainga’a on his way to the club at the end of the year and looks forward to the ball-carrying ability and physicality that the Wallaby will bring to his side.
“We were looking for an experienced player who could carry the ball and energize the game of our front five. Folau ticks all the boxes,” said Gibbes.
“At 27, he has very solid experience at the top level with fifty Super Rugby matches with the Brumbies and 38 selections with the Wallabies.
“He is someone who can bring us a lot in the physical dimension.”
Fainga’a was not the only player to put pen to paper over a move to Clermont, as the club snapped up French international Mohamed Haouas as well.
Strengthen the tight five
Gibbes is hoping his new signings will strengthen their tight five stocks and power the team in the coming seasons.
“These two arrivals will breathe new life into our front five with the ambition of producing an even more assertive pressure game in the coming seasons,” Gibbes added.
“(Haouas) is also a very mobile pillar capable of carrying the ball and endowed with good technique allowing him to intervene in the line.
“These two arrivals will breathe new life into our front five with the ambition of producing an even more assertive pressure game in the coming seasons.”
Clermont are also reportedly looking for a loose forward, and according to Midi Olympique, Waratahs star Ned Hanigan is the club’s priority.
READ MORE: Australia: Dave Rennie unveils first Wallabies training squad for 2023
The article Folau Fainga’a: Wallabies hooker to trade Western Force for Clermont after the World Cup appeared first on Planetrugby.com.
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