Scotland Rugby News Edinburgh Rugby Today announced the signing of Tongan International No.8 Viliami Fihaki from Sale Sharks on a two-year contract.
The signing of the burly backrower is quite a coup for Head Coach Alan Solomons and will add further depth to and competition of the already formidable pack.
He is a big, powerful ball carrier with international experience.
Despite not featuring much for the Sharks last season, he has played for them 25 times since 2013 and has an impressive scoring record of 8 tries in that time. He has also played 8 times for his native Tonga and has scored twice.
His signing replenishes the back row options following the loss of David Denton to Bath last season, and he will now compete with soon-to-be-qualified project player Cornell du Preez, Magnus Bradbury and Nasi Manu for the Number 8 spot. He will also provide 6 Nations cover when the Scotland internationals are away.
SOME OF HIS BEST BITS
Bouncing off Scotland Centre Duncan Taylor
ITM Cup Highlights
What do you think of the signing? Let us know in the comments below.
Another non-Scot FFS, what’s happening to Scottish Rugby?
It’s a fair comment. At least he’s an international though this time. A few years ago it was a load of also rans, who have thankfully moved on.
It’s not really fair comment though, is it? And to answer the chaps question Scottish rugby is finally moving in the right direction and this addition to the Edinburgh squad really isn’t going to affect that.
It is beneficial for Edinburgh and when they win just as Glasgow do, it benefits and credits Scottish rugby as a whole. When the internationals inevitably leave for the Six Nations, these guys are the ones who will keep Edinburgh in the running whilst they’re away. They need to be like Glasgow and have good cover during the period where easier points can be secured. Youth get chances during the year if they’re capable (at least they do at the Warriors). Both Scottish teams are predominantly built on a core of Scots and always will be.
It’s not fair to the clubs to sacrifice their chances of winning the Pro12 just to shoehorn as many Scots into the team as possible. That won’t help us either because how do you expect the guys to learn if they play with Scots exclusively? It’s bad for development and therefore bad for rugby. Look at Finn Russell, played in Christchurch before coming back home and he instantly became our first choice fly half. That wasn’t naturally talent alone, he learned a lot from playing in a different culture with players of many different styles and approaches to rugby.
We support the home lads during the international tests. Clubs are supposed to be more inclusive and varied by allowing people from many nations to play. Favaro for example was our Warrior of the year because of his performances for the team. He loves Glasgow, Sarto is coming too because of him and this benefits Glasgow massively. Another title win and interest in the sport increases, meaning more money and activity for rugby.
If you really want to see more Scots whilst being competitive, the only answer is to allow talents to leave for teams elsewhere, which is poor for clubs. It happens occasionally, Visser, Maitland, R Gray, Jackson, Laidlaw, Cowan, Taylor and Barclay. And these are just from the current day. Lamont for example used to play for the Scarlets a while back. Movement and mixing helps Scottish rugby. A lot can be learned from other people. Quit whinging. You’ve signed Weir, the Bryce bros and no doubt several other faces will appear through good performances and chances given in the 1st team.
Another obstacle for young Scottish talent? Bradbury looked impressive back end of last year why not trust and use him more?
He really was, but he may be pushing for senior international honours soon. As a result having Fihaki for cover may be good.
Another non-scot? A shocking display of lack of faith in scottish young players, this is not building for a future
Was great at sale sharks sad to see him go
Get rid o one (Hugh Blake) away to bay o plenty on loan & get another in if there is no young Scottish talent means the academy’s are not working so spend money on them & get them sorted would help ?
Players like this bring on young players. Get him in the training camps at u20 and 18 and develop those boys ready for four years time.