NEWPORT Gwent Dragons, fresh from gaining entry to the Heineken Cup next season, will receive a major boost with the arrival of four players from New Zealand.
An announcement is due next week, but the Argus understands that outside half James Arlidge, hooker Tom Willis, lock Hoani MacDonald and number eight Grant Webb have all signed contracts to play for the Dragons. Willis is a former All Blacks captain with five caps to his name, also proving an inspiring leader for Waikato and the Chiefs while all four have played Super 12/14 rugby.
The Argus forecast the signings of the group last month after coach Paul Turner made two trips to New Zealand in search of New Zealand talent on the budget he had available to him.
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The first time he travelled with the Wales Sevens squad in January and the second a private visit with Dragons chief executive Gethin Jenkins.
The pair met with players and their agents, while Turner also consulted Wales coach Warren Gatland, himself a Waikato man. Since then all the parties have been in regular touch by e-mail.
Willis also played for New Zealand under 16s, 19s and Colts and only last week told the Argus from New Zealand that he was looking forward to a career changing move to the Dragons.
Macdonald and Webb should provide the Dragons with some of the ball carrying power they have lacked. MacDonald is a former Junior All Black and Maori international who, like Webb, played Super 14 rugby for the Highlanders.
Webb has played for the New Zealand Sevens team, Highlanders and Hawkes Bay and more recently has been with Ulster, Turner taking the opportunity to talk to him after their game against the Dragons at Ravenhill during the Six Nations.
Arlidge is the one back from New Zealand joining the Dragons and, along with Shaun Connor should provide more direction and penetration.
Arlidge played for Auckland, but then left to play in Japan and would have been in their World Cup squad last year had he not broken his leg.
He is now completely recovered and is back playing in Japan.
The four New Zealanders, most with a European qualification, will take the Dragons newcomers for next season up to seven, outside half Connor, centre or wing Tal Selley and hooker Duane Goodfield the Welsh signings.
But ten members of the current squad will no longer be with them next season - Michael Owen who is joining Guinness Premiership club Saracens, Ceri Sweeney and on-loan Ospreys wing Richard Mustoe who are going to neighbours Cardiff Blues while Paul Emerick is joining French club Beziers.
Other players being released are outside half Aled Thomas, hookers Ben Daly, Kieran Crawford and Richard Wilkes, lock Peter Sidoli who has been with them from the outset of regional rugby, and number eight Nic Fitisemanu.
It is believed that lock Sidoli and number eight Fitisemanu are heading for Italy and Daly for London while Crawford is joining the Cardiff club in the Premier Division and Wilkes his home town side Ebbw Vale.
Posted by: Exile in Portishead, Portishead on 2:17pm Fri 9 May 08
Good luck to all those players that are leaving. Three 'overseas' players out and four in. Fingers crossed that the Kiwis can add some steel and skill to the team.
Good luck to all those players that are leaving. Three 'overseas' players out and four in. Fingers crossed that the Kiwis can add some steel and skill to the team.
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