1
Racing 92 swoop for 6'8, 130kg Veikoso Poloniati - report
By Ian Cameron
Racing 92 seems to have apparently successfully lured another massive body to Paris, in the shape of New Zealand born second row Veikoso Poloniati.
According to Midi Olympique, the 6'8, 130kg giant is set to pen a two year deal to join the Parisians. Poloniati has just come off season playing in the inaugrual Super Rugby Pacific competition for Moana Pasifika.
Prior to Moana Pasifika, Poloniati played for Manawatu. He is yet to be capped by Tonga, but has been named in the squad for the PNC. Should he join Racing he will link up with the likes of Namibian Anton Bresler and French internationals Boris Palu and Baptiste Pesenti in the second row. Veteran lock Yoann Maestri is retiring.
According to Midi, Toulouse were also looking at him as a potential replacement for 6'10, 120kg Wallaby Rory Arnold, who is off to Japan.
If he does move, his will be the latest in the continuing fashion for signing outsized southern hemisphere second rows for the Top 14. Toulouse have had great success with 6'8, 145kg Emmanuel Meafou, who was overlooked by Super Rugby's Melbourne Rebels, while South African born Paul Willemse is arguably the league's premier second row.
Will Skelton (6'8, 145kg), who had fallen out of favour with Wallaby selectors, has also been pulling up trees since moving to Europe with Saracens and latterly La Rochelle.
All follow in the footsteps of mammoth French internationals Romain Taofifénua and Sebastien Vahaamahina before them.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Initial Immanuel Feyi-Waboso injury update does not sound promising
3
Ex-Wallaby explains why All Blacks aren’t at ‘panic stations’
4
Leinster player ratings vs Connacht | 2024/25 URC
5
Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to comments