Harlequins bolster their engine room with signing of Big Tex, the 125kg Fijian lock

Harlequins have confirmed a second successful Wednesday raid of the relegated Newcastle Falcons, revealing that they have signed Fiji international Tevita Cavubati just house after announcing a deal for his club and country colleague Vereniki Goneva. 

Second row Cavubati, who has been capped 23 times for his country, is the brother of legendary prop Bill Cavubati. The 31-year-old made his professional rugby breakthrough with Tasman Makos in New Zealand’s ITM Cup, having previously played for Taranaki and Welsh PRO14 side, Ospreys. He then moved to England ahead of the 2015/16 season to join Worcester and signed for Newcastle Falcons in May 2017.

Harlequins boss Paul Gustard said: “Big Tex is an excellent signing for the club and I’m delighted he is joining us for the new season. I have been looking to add a lock for some time and when Tevita’s name was proposed he was a standout candidate for us.

“He is an impressive and destructive ball carrier with outstanding skills and I am sure his natural game instinct and ability to free his arms through contact will dovetail beautifully with many of our other instinctive players. 

“I’m sure our crowd will love seeing him play and take off up the field on a big rampaging run. He has had a frustrating time with injuries, but I know that he is motivated, excited and passionate to be a Quin and very keen to make up for lost opportunities.

“When I spoke to him, I knew he would be the perfect fit for us. At 125kg and over two metres tall he is a big man, with a big personality and really big potential to kick on individually and help us move forward to where we aspire to be. On behalf of the club, we are simply delighted he is going to be in the Quarters this season.”

Cavubati added: “I’m really excited to be joining Harlequins. It is one of the biggest clubs in rugby - I grew up in Fiji and I had heard of Harlequins and seen the jersey around the villages, so when I had the opportunity to come here, I was really happy.

“I’ve come up against Harlequins a few times since moving to England. They have always been a very well-drilled side, but they’ve always had a bit of ‘razzle dazzle’ which I like. They are one of those teams that don’t stick to script in the way that others do and that’s why my eyes lit up when I heard that I had the chance to play here.

“Paul has a very good rugby brain and he is bringing together a really good group of players who I can’t wait to join. I couldn’t ask to be involved in a better club.”

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