Jersey have signed hooker Elvis Taione on a
15-month deal.
The 29-year-old agreed terms with Jersey and completed
registration and visa formalities in time for the transfer deadline
on March 1st. He is expected to arrive on the Island later this
week and will be in contention for a place in the squad for the RFU
Championship game against Plymouth this Saturday.
"We have been looking to add another front-row specialist to our
squad and have been working to secure a deal for Elvis for some
time," stated Director of Rugby Ben Harvey. "Unfortunately it took
a while to secure the necessary clearance, but I'm delighted this
was obtained in time.
"Elvis is an experienced operator who has played with and
against some of the world's leading players in Super Rugby, and we
are confident he will bring an additional edge to our forward play
as the Jersey squad continues to evolve."
Taione made his debut in top-flight rugby when he was selected
for the Sydney-based Super Rugby team the Waratahs for a play-off
match against Auckland Blues in June 2011, having formerly played
grade rugby in Australia for Manly.
In 2012 Taione was contracted to the Western Force franchise in
Perth, Australia and made six Super Rugby appearances. He was
subsequently selected to make his international debut for Tonga and
won three caps in the autumn international series, including a
historic win over Scotland in Aberdeen.
Taione will be the second Tongan international at St Peter,
joining former Jersey captain Talite Vaioleti, who won two caps for
his country.
Notes:
Elvis Vaea Taione stats: born Nukualofa, Tonga, 25/5/83; 5ft 11ins
(180cm) tall; 17st 8lbs (112kg) in weight.
