Tongan international Nafi Tuitavake one of two players released by Northampton
Tongan international Nafi Tuitavake is finishing up at Northampton, Saints confirming that the 30-year-old will leave Franklin’s Gardens at the end of the season along with Aussie Andrew Kellaway.
The versatile centres can both fill several roles across the back line and have made 32 and 19 appearances respectively in the Northampton colours.
Tongan Test player Tuitavake joined Saints just after the start of the 2016/17 season from Narbonne, having also played for ITM Cup side North Harbour and Super Rugby for the Crusaders.
Kellaway, 23, has spent one campaign at Franklin’s after arriving from the Waratahs last summer – scoring four times to date including two vital tries in the Gallagher Premiership against Bristol Bears and Wasps.
“I’m really proud to have played for a great club in Northampton Saints and I want to thank all the supporters here at Franklin’s Gardens for their encouragement over the last three seasons,” said Tuitavake.
“The time has come for me to move on, but while I wish the rest of the squad and the coaches the very best for the future, for now I’m focused on finishing off the season as strongly as possible.”
Kellaway added: “I’ve had a great time during my year with Saints; I really think this rugby community in Northampton is special and unlike anything else in the world.
“It’s been an amazing experience for me coming across the globe to play a completely different style of rugby, and I’ll remember the feeling of running out in front of an amazing crowd at Franklin’s Gardens with huge fondness.” ?
Saints claimed a vital 20-19 victory over Harlequins last weekend to close the gap on the top four and keep their Gallagher Premiership play-off hopes alive. Kellaway, who broke a try-scoring record for a single tournament at the under-20 World Cup in 2014, was a replacement in that game, but Tuitavake didn’t make Chris Boyd’s squad.
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They lost the game period move on
Go to commentsI'm happy for the people of SA to get a second WC. And I mean that. I was very disappointed with this man's “stand on the hand” incident with Josh Van Der Flyer (Ireland). Ireland's downfall in the last WC was they did not rotate their first 15 as the head coach probably should have. That said, I'm happy for SA and genuinely hope it lifts the mood in their country. Ireland did beat them in the first match of the tournament. And before the trolls start trolling ….. please don't bother. Etzbeth said recently that the Irish players said after the match “see you in the final”…..this was actually wishing the SA team the best of luck in the rest, the Irish team were not dismissing the AB’s. This is what Etzbeth was implying. But he was wrong. I no longer live in Ireland. But I hope to see them lift that cup before I pass. Anyway, congratulations SA. 👍
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