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Ealing Trailfinders sign 138kg cousin of the Vunipolas
By Online Editors
Ealing Trailfinders have confirmed the next two members of the Trailfinders Rugby Academy with Brunel University London - and one of them is a 138kg cousin of the Vunipolas.
According to the club website, Sione Funaki and Harrison Obatoyinbo have arrived and have gone "straight into training alongside the first-team squad as they begin their journey with the club".
Harrison Obatoyinbo joins from Saracens Under 18s where his brother Elliott was also part of the Academy, and the full-back will bring plenty of excitement to the back-line. He attended Harrow for his school and sixth form studies, and also played for their first team during that time.
Sione Funaki is another addition to the back-row which boasts significant depth, and the Tongan who is the cousin of the Vunipola brothers joins from the Exeter Chiefs Academy. He attended Sixth Form at Shebbear College, and represented Somerset at Under 16 and 18 age groups.
Brunel Head of Rugby Gareth Rise says these new arrivals are another statement of intent for the ever-growing programme.
“Harrison has fantastic footwork and ability on the ball. Both Saracens and Harrow spoke very highly of him as a player and a person.
"Sione brings a huge physical presence at 138kg and we are very excited about where he can get to.”
Source: Ealing Trailfinders
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Latest Comments
My ‘fantasy’ team V Ireland,
Including options from ABXV if needed, as V Mun better V Ireland better prep than England.
The most important aspect V Ireland is AB need ALL their loosies AND 'loosie capable locks' on ALL match [except IF(?) any tiring ie the aging & slowing eg Cane]. As follows,
{starting} bench (3rd choice)
1 {De Groot} / Tu’ungafasi (Williams)
2 { anyone that can throw!! }/ Aumua (Brodie McAlister)
Ryan! coach lineouts & Aumua to throw!
3 {Lomax}/ Tosi (Newell )
Tosi immense strength V England
4,5 Locks { P.Tuipulotu, S.Barrett }, Vaa’i, Darry
( Isaia Walker-Leawere)
Vaa’i off V Eng. Assumed due to leg injury(?)
6,7,8 Loose forwards { Sititi, A.Savea, Cane } Vaa’i, S.Barrettm, P.Tuipulotu back up (Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi )
9 {Roigard } Ratima ( TJ )
10 {D.McK} Perofeta ( Plummer)
12 {J.Barrett } ALB ( Q.Tupaea )
13 {Proctor} Ioane ( AJ Lam )
Ioane (off V England ) but Irish experience (NO not Sexton!)
14 { Tele’a} Reece (bkup W.Jordan )
11 {C.Clarke} Narawa (K.Naholo)
15 {W.Jordan} Love (Stevenson)
Go to commentsI guess the other option would be to start ALB, he's looked good in the 12 so far when he starts and sets up those outside him. But that would mean putting the vice captain on the bench, which is unlikely. Another option would be to drop Reiko to the bench and play Proctor, though he's gone home so that's not going to happen either.
Both of those players just offer more of the soft distribution skills good centres learn from playing their careers there. Unfortunately that's what's lacking with the current combo.
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