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Clermont lands All Black Moala from the Blues
By Peter Thompson
George Moala will leave Blues to join Clermont Auvergne on a three-year deal after the 2018 Super Rugby season.
The versatile Moala, who can operate on the wing or as a centre, has agreed a contract with the Top 14 champions until June 2021.
Moala was the stand-out player in the Super Rugby 2015 season, notching up approximately 60 tackle busts, covering 900m with ball in hand and continuously being a threat to the opposition.
In the final match of the 2015 season against the Highlanders, former All-Black Jeff Wilson compared Moala to Ma'a Nonu, due to similarities in physic and playing style but also the fact that Moala, like Nonu, originated playing on the wing and then transitioned into center.
Moala earned four caps for New Zealand but has been overlooked since facing Ireland in Chicago in November 2016.
Clermont confirmed the signing of Tim Nanai-Williams earlier this month and will add another New Zealander to their ranks next year in the form of Moala.
Franck Azema, the Clermont boss, said: "With nearly 70 matches in Super Rugby and four caps for the All Blacks, he is an experienced and very high-level player."
Moala has been unable to force his way back into the All Blacks reckoning due to the form of Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Ryan Crotty, Ngani Laumape and Jack Goodhue.
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Latest Comments
Does anyone know a way to loook at how many mins each player has played whilst on tour?
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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