Munster have officially announced the anticipated signing of All Blacks centre Malakai Fekitoa from Wasps.
We reported weeks ago on the rumours of Fekitoa’s likely departure from Wasps and Munster as his probable destination.
Munster Rugby have now confirmed that he will be coming to the south of Ireland next season where he will replace the outgoing Damian De Allende.
📢 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: @MalakaiFekitoa
Munster Rugby are pleased to confirm that Malakai Fekitoa will join the province ahead of the 2022/23 season on a two-year contract 😍😍😍
See full details ⤵️#SUAF 🔴— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) February 2, 2022
Fekitoa is a major coup for Munster. The New Zealander has 24 caps and eight tries for his country, and was part of the All Black squad that won the 2015 World Cup, and drew the 2017 Lions Series.
However, Fekitoa will likely make use of World Rugby's eligibility rule changes, and line out for the country of his birth, Tonga, at the 2023 World Cup.
It is another blow Munster have dealt to Wasps this season having already beaten the English side twice in this season’s Champions Cup. Wasps, who are suffering from financial woes, are also expected to lose another star player in Jimmy Gopperth.
With RG Snyman recently announcing that he would be staying with Munster, and the host of young talent coming through at the province, there is plenty of reason to be hopeful despite the difficulty of losing their coach and two of his assistants for next season.
After much speculation, Munster’s head coach Johann Van Graan confirmed he will be leaving for Bath at the end of the season where he will be joined by Munster’s defence coach and fellow South African JP Ferreira.
Munster’s senior coach Stephen Larkham has also announced he will be leaving to go back to his home country Australia and take up the role as head coach of the Brumbies.
One man down in Munster who may not be too pleased with the news of Fekitoa’s arrival is Munster centre Rory Scannell.
The homegrown Scannell has been consistently reliable for Munster for a number of seasons but lost his place in the first choice XV to the world class South African Damian De Allende.
Despite a number of excellent performances from Scannell in recent weeks, he will likely remain third choice next season behind Fekitoa and Chris Farrell.
See Also: Quiz: How Well Do You Remember The 2021 Six Nations?
