Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France
27 - 10
FT
Gallagher PremiershipBath

'We're grateful': Bath sign Tongan Ma'afu Fia with immediate effect

(Photo by Buda Mendes - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Bath have signed Tonga international Ma’afu Fia on loan from Ospreys, the Welsh URC club, until the end of the current Gallagher Premiership season. A Bath statement read: “A 2009 Junior World Cup winner with New Zealand U20s, Fia played provincial rugby for Manawatu before spending three seasons in the Highlanders’ Super Rugby squad.

ADVERTISEMENT

“He switched to Wales with the Ospreys in 2015 and his performances for the Swansea-based outfit saw him earn his first of eleven Tonga caps in 2018, before representing his country at the World Cup a year later.

“Fia has been a consistent member of the Ospreys squad for the past seven years and has amassed over 100 appearances for the Welsh region. He links up with Bath with immediate effect and will be available for selection for this weekend’s match against Leicester Tigers in the Gallagher Premiership.”

Video Spacer

RugbyPass Insiders | Tonga | Road to Japan

Current Time 0:00
Duration 33:22
Loaded: 1.50%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 33:22
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
    • en (Main), selected
    Video Spacer

    RugbyPass Insiders | Tonga | Road to Japan

    Bath head coach Neal Hatley said: “We are grateful to Ospreys for allowing Ma’afu to join us as injury cover until the end of the season. He is a strong scrummager with international experience and will add value to our tighthead options alongside Will Stuart, D’Arcy Rae, Johannes and Kieran Verden.”

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo vs Kubota Spears | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 Final | Full Match Replay

    Saitama Wild Knights vs Kobe Steelers | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 Bronze Final | Full Match Replay

    Boks Office | Episode 42 | Investec Champions Cup Final Review

    Spain's Incredible Rugby Sevens Journey to the World Championship Final | HSBC SVNS Embedded | Episode 14

    Australia vs USA | Pacific Four Series 2025 | Full Match Replay

    New Zealand vs Canada | Pacific Four Series 2025 | Full Match Replay

    South Africa vs New Zealand | The Rugby Championship U20's | Full Match Replay

    The Game that Made Jonah Lomu

    Trending on RugbyPass

    1

    Pat Lam blames Bath ticket prices for raining on Bristol's parade

    2

    All Blacks vs France series enhanced by landmark agreement

    3

    South African players dominate URC Elite XV vote

    4

    Ireland record holder and All Blacks forward added to Barbarians squad.

    5

    ‘He’s a freak’: Wallabies fly-half reacts to Nathan Cleary code switch talk

    6

    Stuart Lancaster heads up new multi-national coaching team at Connacht

    7

    Leicester could be set for James O'Connor tug-of-war

    8

    'It's crazy what you hear on that mic': Jacques Nienaber on 'wink-gate'

    Comments

    0 Comments
    Be the first to comment...

    Join free and tell us what you really think!

    Sign up for free
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Latest Features

    LONG READ

    Why Brumbies could be key to avoiding a Lions tour cricket score

    Combinations and form in Canberra could yet compel Joe Schmidt to back the men from the capital as he prepares to face Andy Farrell's tourists.

    LONG READ

    ‘Title win could set Chiefs up to build a Super Rugby dynasty’

    With a sweeping style, strong culture and host of top players locked in, everything is in place for the Chiefs to dominate Super Rugby.

    LONG READ

    Alfie Barbeary: 'When I was younger I was painful, I'd have hated to coach me'

    With his mop of curls and barnstorming carries, the number eight has emerged as a central figure in Bath's treble bid.

    Comments on RugbyPass

    S
    SC 59 minutes ago
    ‘Title win could set Chiefs up to build a Super Rugby dynasty’

    Any talk about a dynasty before winning one championship is quite frankly ridiculous.

    1 Go to comments
    S
    SC 1 hour ago
    Wallace Sititi drops to bench, Quinn Tupaea ruled out for Chiefs

    How many seasons does Finau get a free pass into All Blacks based on his physical profile (height/weight/speed)?


    Every highlight he makes is hitting smaller 10s. When have you seen him knock a prop or big lock on his ass? Never.

    6 Go to comments
    B
    BA 1 hour ago
    Wallace Sititi drops to bench, Quinn Tupaea ruled out for Chiefs

    Big game for Parker at 8 if he can go alright would def save ABs selectors a headache I have both him and Finau in squad

    6 Go to comments
    I
    IkeaBoy 2 hours ago
    'Bloodgate' vs 'Crampgate' - a classic case of rugby's moral panic

    My life is a constant comedy!


    Work life anyways.


    Your sense of humour is a credit to you, Ed!

    20 Go to comments
    F
    Fishman 2 hours ago
    Why Brumbies could be key to avoiding a Lions tour cricket score

    Hey Nick. Foketi an improvement at 12? I think that’s a bit unfair on Feliuai, who’s been really impressive this year… at least to my eye

    3 Go to comments
    I
    IkeaBoy 2 hours ago
    'Bloodgate' vs 'Crampgate' - a classic case of rugby's moral panic

    I'd never block you!!!! That's what I meant.


    Ah, Mary! The one time I actually re-read my post and I was horrified.


    I thought it could easily be misinterpreted. Bruising and stuff. Not cool.


    I'm too afraid to re-read any of my other posts!


    The fear, Ed🤒

    20 Go to comments
    A
    Andrew Nichols 3 hours ago
    Defending champions Blues embrace ‘clean slate’ before Qualifying Final

    Pretty average? What do you base that on? Wrampling has looked very sharp in his appearances and Rona is solid.

    5 Go to comments
    H
    HitchikersPie 3 hours ago
    300,000 tickets sold and counting for 'era defining' Rugby World Cup

    Yeah, I recall Sue Day mentioning that they thought the whole event is projected not to make a profit, but with these numbers they might actually spin one anyway. Especially if they get merchandising right I imagine those cowboy hats and red rose leaves will turn a tidy number for the accounts department.


    My only complaint was the lack of fixtures in Welford Road and sure enough they have their warm up game vs Spain there, honestly huge props to the entire team behind it, they’ve done so many things right, including probably the boldest one to open in Sunderland where rugby’s never been before. Selling out Twickenham for a Final seems like child’s play.

    11 Go to comments
    E
    Ed the Duck 3 hours ago
    ‘This may be the end of an era at Leicester but the future looks bright’

    So you don’t reckon mssrs. Cole, Youngs, Brown, Montoya and Pollard provide leadership within Tigers squad, seriously?


    Parling is absolutely a rookie HEAD coach and it’s a very different gig compared to the safe distance as an assistant when the sh1t is flying. As many have found before.


    Glass half full? For next season they haven’t even got their key playmaker sorted, with reports ranging from Paddy Jackson to Orlando Bailey to Owen Farrell!


    So yeah, against that backdrop, a mid table finish in what is a clear and significant transition would be a decent result.

    5 Go to comments
    J
    Jackal 3 hours ago
    All Blacks trio return for Crusaders' Qualifying Final against Reds

    Christie has played so well the last month you cant drop the guy, has almost single handedly defended them to wins across that period

    3 Go to comments
    E
    Ed the Duck 3 hours ago
    'Bloodgate' vs 'Crampgate' - a classic case of rugby's moral panic

    “She just got unreasonably angry”


    Ike you’ve got to stop, you’re killing me here…😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

    20 Go to comments
    Y
    YeowNotEven 3 hours ago
    Wallace Sititi drops to bench, Quinn Tupaea ruled out for Chiefs

    Samipeni is very lucky to be starting. He has to make it count. Parker must be ahead of him in the ABs pecking order, surely.

    6 Go to comments
    E
    Ed the Duck 3 hours ago
    'Bloodgate' vs 'Crampgate' - a classic case of rugby's moral panic

    I’m sure it’s coming! Didn’t you say something about having had a few identity changes on here?


    Ps why did you edit out your comment about Mary?

    20 Go to comments
    Y
    YeowNotEven 3 hours ago
    All Blacks vs France series enhanced by landmark agreement

    Oh. Yeah. France it is then. We’ll have to dial up the insults to UFC levels in order to fire aframce up to a decent level.

    It can be done.

    18 Go to comments
    C
    Chiefs Mana 3 hours ago
    All Blacks vs France series enhanced by landmark agreement

    I agree but we need (expect) a home series against a NH team….coinciding with Lions, doesn’t leave too many options.

    18 Go to comments
    C
    Carlos 4 hours ago
    Why Brumbies could be key to avoiding a Lions tour cricket score

    Talking about Test rugby or Finals rugby, where did the Brumbies spend the last 2 to 3 minutes of the game with the Crusaders? Under the posts, inside the 22 m.,just pounding uselessly and none of these Test quality players thought of a drop kick? They were losing by ONE point and no one thought of a drop kick? ABs in 2007 memories…

    If Sevu Reece can figure out to kick one, where were these Wallaby leaders?


    Give me a break. The refs blew it, but the Brumbies lost the game due to their lack of cold thinking.

    3 Go to comments
    Y
    YeowNotEven 4 hours ago
    All Blacks vs France series enhanced by landmark agreement

    I blame NZR for this.

    If France don’t have the basic respect and pride in themselves to send their best team, then do not invite them to come play.

    They can make excuses all they like, but they do not deserve to play the All Blacks.

    18 Go to comments
    O
    Otagoman II 4 hours ago
    Why Brumbies could be key to avoiding a Lions tour cricket score

    Cheers NB. Super has been a great watch this year even though the Highlanders got the spoon. It might of been a bad miss over the Reece fumble but it would of likely been a Crusaders penalty with the Brumbies player offside at the ruck and playing the ball and half. I will take the bum calls if the game flows.

    3 Go to comments
    I
    IkeaBoy 4 hours ago
    'It's crazy what you hear on that mic': Jacques Nienaber on 'wink-gate'

    I wish I could disagree…but I can't!

    82 Go to comments
    I
    IkeaBoy 4 hours ago
    'Bloodgate' vs 'Crampgate' - a classic case of rugby's moral panic

    She has, that’s on her. She just got unreasonably angry so I didn't want to escalate.


    Honestly enjoyed the article, as always.


    Top man.

    20 Go to comments
    LONG READ
    LONG READ Why Brumbies could be key to avoiding a Lions tour cricket score Why Brumbies could be key to avoiding a Lions tour cricket score
    Search