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Munster statement: World Cup winner Malakai Fekitoa is leaving
By Liam Heagney
Former All Blacks midfielder Malakai Fekitoa will exit Munster after just a single season at the club. The 30-year-old was a high-profile signing from Wasps on a two-year deal that was announced on February 2 last year, but the Irish province are now planning to do without him for the 2023/24 season.
A statement read: “Munster Rugby can confirm that Malakai Fekitoa will depart at the end of the campaign after one year at the province. So far this season, Malakai has made 11 Munster appearances including nine starts, playing at inside centre and outside centre.
“He made his Champions Cup debut for Munster away to Toulouse last month and featured in the historic victory over South Africa at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in November. A World Cup winner with New Zealand in 2015, Malakai now represents his native Tonga at international level.”
Fekitoa won 25 caps for the All Blacks between 2014 and 2017 before moving to Europe where he spent two seasons at Toulon and three more at Wasps before taking up an offer to join Munster. That was a timely move for the centre as Wasps financially collapsed not long after he had left the English club.
Having served the mandatory stand-down period, Fekitoa changed national team allegiance from New Zealand to Tonga, the country of his birth. He initially represented them at an Olympics 7s qualifier on 2021 before going on to play Test XVs last year.
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Latest Comments
HAHAHAHA typical.. there is no where near 90% of the top players in Europe Nick. Those playing in Brazil and Argentina still are probably better that 90% of the none top 5 european leagues.
Even just because these australians are in Europe, does not make them better than those at home. And that goes for nearly all the nations with heavy representation in europe.
What you're trying to say is europe is were 90% of the money in football is, that would get your point across better.
Go to commentsScott Robertson wants his men to push through and sight their targets to help minimise errors from rushed and frustrating brain explosions.
This test match will highlight if the entire coaching staff can select from the All Blacks sqaud, a team capable of producing the necessary and silencing their critics.
Go the All Blacks...looking to have the rub of green again vs Ireland... onwards and upwards.
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