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#Post#: 73002--------------------------------------------------
Viliami Taulani
DIR By: honkytonk
Date: August 11, 2021, 6:05 am
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HARLEQUINS IS DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE THE SIGNING OF TONGAN
INTERNATIONAL BACK-ROW VILIAMI TAULANI FROM THE WAIKATO CHIEFS
A powerful back-row, Taulani joins Harlequins fresh from
international duty with Tonga having faced the All Blacks and
Samoa in July.
Versatile with the ability to cover the second row, Taulani
featured twice for the Chiefs during their 20/21 campaign,
playing in both the Super Rugby and Super Rugby AOTEAROA
competitions.
Taulani, 24, was also a member of the Counties Manakau 2020
Mitre 10 Cup squad, having played for the side on 19 occasions
since 2016. A strong lineout operator that has impressed during
his time in New Zealand, Quins’ latest squad addition weighs in
at 118kg, standing at 6’3”.
Excited to join the Gallagher Premiership champions, Taulani
said: “I’m stoked to be joining Harlequins, the 2020/21
Premiership Champions. Coming from a small nation like Tonga,
there were very few opportunities to live out my dream. I have
had awesome opportunities in New Zealand, having played for
Counties Manukau since 2016 and with the Chiefs in the 2021
Super Rugby Aotearoa competition.
“However, I am looking forward to meeting new teammates,
developing my skills from a fantastic coaching setup, getting
the chance to play in Premiership, and the opportunities that
being part of Harlequins will bring for myself and my family.
“Quins are a world-famous team with a clear culture and
identity. I’m excited to become part of that and put my best
foot forward. I’m looking forward to working under Tabai Matson
again, too. Tabai is a great coach and someone I know will help
Quins to go to the next level.”
Welcoming the explosive back-row, Senior Coach Tabai Matson
said: “It’s great to welcome Viliami to Harlequins. He is a
player I came to know during my time in New Zealand and has a
great ability to put his team on the front foot.
"He is a guy that plays some abrasive rugby and will fit in well
with how we like to do things at Harlequins. We’re looking
forward to seeing him play the Harlequins Way.”
#Post#: 73004--------------------------------------------------
Re: Viliami Taulani
DIR By: honkytonk
Date: August 11, 2021, 6:16 am
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Sounds like the kind of chap we need to boost the BR. Id say
that is us done now, and looking pretty good
#Post#: 73005--------------------------------------------------
Re: Viliami Taulani
DIR By: Lexx
Date: August 11, 2021, 6:19 am
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This one has come out of the blue! Not on any radar or anything.
Welcome VILIAMI!
#Post#: 73006--------------------------------------------------
Re: Viliami Taulani
DIR By: Twickersman
Date: August 11, 2021, 6:21 am
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A welcome addition to the back row stocks. Tabai seems to know
him from NZ days, so that should mean he is a promising player.
Looks like he could potentially play 8 and 6. We defo need more
than J Chisholm as cover, Lawday is not up to it in my eyes. He
has been taken over by Keningham.
Cant wait to see a back row of Dommers, Evans and Keningham.
#Post#: 73007--------------------------------------------------
Re: Viliami Taulani
DIR By: Banstead Quin
Date: August 11, 2021, 6:21 am
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Welcome Viliami to you and your family. Can we hope you are the
2021 incarnation of Big Mo?
#Post#: 73008--------------------------------------------------
Re: Viliami Taulani
DIR By: NickPRFC
Date: August 11, 2021, 6:25 am
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HTML https://www.rugbyworld.com/countries/new-zealand-countries/kieran-read-on-tmos-all-blacks-and-japan-128698
If Mr Reed considers he has potential then that will do for
me!!!
#Post#: 73009--------------------------------------------------
Re: Viliami Taulani
DIR By: JammyGit
Date: August 11, 2021, 6:28 am
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Ehh....
"So is loose forward Viliami Taulani, closer to realising his
full potential?
I hope so. I see he made his Chiefs debut this season (and then
represented Tonga in July). The thing is with some of these guys
coming into NPC is that they come in from full-time jobs and
just don’t know any different. To be able to train
professionally and have a full pre-season under their belt, it
does wonders for any young player. Someone like Viliami has a
massive future if he can keep himself in the right frame of
mind."
that's a pretty generic response...
Anyway, sounds like an excellent signing that eases the pressure
on the existing back row, I'm sure he'll bring a good combo of
physicality and flair, and hopefully gets some good development
under our coaches
#Post#: 73010--------------------------------------------------
Re: Viliami Taulani
DIR By: honkytonk
Date: August 11, 2021, 6:33 am
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I think the impact Chisholm had at the end of the season was
huge. Lawday is game but he just does not have the power.
Chisholm helped get us on the front foot when he played and that
was what we was missing. Thats why I wanted another bulky BR
option. Hoping this chap is the one, sound promising
#Post#: 73012--------------------------------------------------
Re: Viliami Taulani
DIR By: quins4life
Date: August 11, 2021, 6:49 am
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Sounds like an interesting signing, I did think we were missing
one last beastly back row so this covers that. Think our
starting back row once everyone is fit would be Chisholm, Evans,
Dombrandt. But Taulani, Kenningham, lawday, Wallace and white is
great depth. Can’t wait for the new season to start!!!
#Post#: 73014--------------------------------------------------
Re: Viliami Taulani
DIR By: honkytonk
Date: August 11, 2021, 7:04 am
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Its tough
Dombrandt is nailed onto start, but after that who do you pick -
Evans, Kenningham or Chisholm for the last 2 spots?? thats
without seeing what the new chap can do (and White, Wallace and
Lawday are able back ups)
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