Prop Fainga’anuku to join Worcester Warriors

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Worcester Warriors

Powerhouse prop Ofa Fainga’anuku is to join Worcester Warriors from next season after agreeing a deal to move to Sixways from RaboDirect PRO12 club Glasgow Warriors.

Giant front row Fainga’anuku – who stands a menacing 6ft tall and weighs 19 stone 10lb –represented Tonga in the 2012 Pacific Nations Cup and has previously had a spell with the Waratahs in Australia.

The 30-year-old, who has also featured for the Central Coast Rays and Eastern Suburbs in Sydney, started out in rugby league, but later switched to union.

Fainga’anuku signed for Glasgow in September 2012 on a short-term contract, but after impressing extended his stay to the end of this season.

Head Coach Richard Hill is delighted with his latest signing and believes the loosehead will be a powerful acquisition for Warriors.

“We looked at a number of props and there were several loose-heads in the market and available,” revealed Hill. “However, when all the coaches sat down and looked at video, it was very clear that Ofa was the one who made us all stand up. We quickly realised there was something special about him. He has that X-Factor.

“He is a big man but moves very quickly, a dynamic ball carrier and very good in defence which comes from his rugby league background.

“Ofa has grown up playing rugby league so has soft hands and likes to pass out of the tackle, but he also has a huge work-rate and the ability to tackle and get back in the line quickly.

“It’s vital that he can be strong in the scrum for us week in and week out. He has learnt very quickly from his spell in the RaboDirect PRO12 and impressed us in the set piece in games against Ulster, Cardiff Blues and Newport Gwent Dragons,” added Hill.

“Ofa is a very powerful man and will be one of the strongest in our squad. The strength and conditioning staff are naturally very excited about working with him.

“He has been to Sixways to see what we are all about and is now very keen to join us. He has been playing at a very good standard in Glasgow, with the Warriors topping the RaboDirect PRO12, and he is an international who wants to become a regular for his country.

“Ofa is an exciting signing for us and we are looking forward to him becoming a Warrior at Worcester.”

Lock legend Gillies signs new Warriors deal

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Worcester Warriors

Long-serving lock legend Craig Gillies will continue his record-breaking career at Sixways after agreeing a new contract at Worcester Warriors.

The vastly experienced lineout king is the club’s record appearance maker in the modern era having already clocked up a hugely impressive 287 games for Warriors since his arrival at the club in 2002.

The Glasgow-born second row remains one of the finest lineout operators in the English game and has now agreed a new deal that will keep him at Warriors until 2014 and extend his Sixways spell into a 12th season.

The 36-year-old, who has won England A honours, has continued to have a towering presence at Warriors this season with 19 appearances in all competitions.

His leadership skills, professionalism and outstanding attitude has seen him become a true Warrior legend and Head Coach Richard Hill believes Gillies can continue to have a huge impact at Sixways.

“Craig has been a tremendous servant for the Warriors and we are very lucky that a player of his qualities will continue to be a big part of our squad,” said Hill.

“As far as the group is concerned, Craig is the consummate professional and extremely dedicated to training. He truly belies his age with the way he keeps himself so fit and athletic.

“He continues to contribute on and off the field, fits in with the culture we want at Warriors and has maintained his level of performance over the years. I don’t see how Craig has dropped off his performance in any way after watching him for the last ten years.

“Craig remains a superb lineout operator, who regularly pinches ball off the opposition, and who continues to work very hard on his game.

“He has not had as many opportunities as he would have ideally liked this season, but he understands it is now a squad game and he gives his absolute all every time he pulls on a Worcester jersey.”

Andrew and Hayes commit to Warriors

Posted on Mar 19, 2013 in Worcester Warriors

Worcester Warriors have announced that exciting young front row duo Paul Andrew and Ollie Hayes have signed deals for next season.

Prop Andrew will make the move to Sixways from RFU Championship side Cornish Pirates.

The 23-year-old, born in Truro, made his league debut for Pirates at the age of 19 and has represented Cornwall, Cornwall U20 and England Conference U18.

Hooker Hayes, who moved to Warriors from Bristol Rugby in 2011, has also pledged his future by putting pen to paper on a new contract.

The 22-year-old has made a total of 14 appearances for Worcester, including four in the Aviva Premiership this season. He also scored a memorable first league try for the club as Warriors secured a try bonus point against Northampton Saints at Franklins Gardens in September.

Head Coach Richard Hill was delighted to continue his squad build for next season by agreeing deals with the young front row pair.

“Paul Andrew is a player we’ve been aware of for some time," he said. "We keep a track on the best players in each position and have seen Paul’s progress in the RFU Championship.

“He is similar to George Porter in that he has massive potential and will only get better. Paul is another excellent product of Cornish Pirates, where he has been well coached and developed, and his attitude is excellent. He will add depth to our first team squad and we are excited that he will join us.

“In the front row you have got to do your apprenticeship and next year is undoubtedly a big season for Ollie,” added Hill.

“We feel he can make the step up to play first team rugby in the Aviva Premiership and that’s why we’ve re-signed him.

“He is a very dedicated individual and a very good all-round player who can carry and has excellent hands.

“Now is the time for him to make the step up. This is not a decision we have taken lightly, but Ollie really is the modern day hooker and we have put our faith in him.”

Scrum half Arr signs new Warriors deal

Posted on Jan 29, 2013 in Worcester Warriors

Scrum half star Jonny Arr has signed a new contract at Worcester Warriors and pledged his future to the Sixways club.

Arr, who has made 116 appearances for Warriors, has become a key figure in the Worcester squad over the last six years as the home-grown player continues to impress at his home city club.

A former Royal Grammar School student in the city, the scrum half made his first team full debut in the top-flight in 2008. Arr also won international honours that season as he was a part of the England Under-20 team that achieved the Grand Slam.

He was rewarded for his outstanding form in 2009/10 when he picked up the Young Player of the Year and Most Improved Player of the Year awards.

Twelve months later he went one better as he was named the Player-of-the-Year at the club’s end of season dinner after his impressive role helping Warriors win promotion back to the Aviva Premiership.

Arr became a Warriors centurion when he made his one hundredth appearance for the club against Leicester Tigers in September 2012.

Arr said: “I’m delighted to sign and extend my career at Warriors. I truly feel we are on the verge of moving on and it does feel like something is now happening at Warriors that can make the difference.

“I’ve seen a lot of things change for the better during my time here and this season we have been competitive in every game we have played. I don’t feel we are far away from breaking the mould here.

“We were all disappointed to miss out on the quarter-finals of the Amlin Challenge Cup, but we still have chance to progress in the LV= Cup and move up the league table.

“What is crucial to me is that I feel I still have so much to achieve here, the job is not complete and I want to be part of bringing real success to Sixways.”

Head Coach Richard Hill said: “Jonny is an outstanding scrum half. He is technically very good in terms of his passing, kicking and defence. He plays a quick game which suits our attacking game.

“He has really come back into the selection frame as our attacking playing style has evolved. He gets the ball away from the breakdown quickly and so has come into his own.

“Jonny’s way of playing really suits the multi-phase and fast game we want to play and I’m sure his strengths will continue to be a huge asset to Warriors in the coming years.”

Warriors sign fly half star Warwick

Posted on Jan 29, 2013 in Worcester Warriors

Worcester Warriors have announced that Australian fly half Paul Warwick has agreed a move to Sixways from next season.

Warwick, currently playing for Stade Francais in the Top 14, has put pen to paper on a contract that will see him add his vast experience and winning mentality to the squad at Warriors.

The versatile fly half, who can also operate at full back or centre, has enjoyed a stunning career in European rugby.

The 32-year-old represented Manly in Australia and graduated through the ranks to represent his country at Sevens level before joining Connacht in 2004.

Warwick later starred for Munster during a glittering period between 2007 and 2011 as the club won the Heineken Cup in 2007/08 and were twice Celtic League winners in 2008/09 and 2010/11.

The Australian ace, who has also twice represented the Barbarians, has spent the last two years as part of a star-studded line-up at Stade Francais and will now make a move this summer to the Aviva Premiership and the Warriors.

Head Coach Richard Hill described Warwick as pivotal signing for the club, just days after confirmation that Argentina international back row Leonardo Senatore had also been recruited from next season.

“Paul is a winner, very serious about his rugby and very competitive,” said Hill. “His attitude is absolutely spot-on for the culture we are developing at Sixways.

“I want players here with a winning mentality. That’s not just a phrase you throw about; you have got to do something about it to achieve it. You have to study the game and your own performances to get better and truly push yourself.

“Paul wants to win rugby matches and that mentality and professionalism is massive.

“I want Paul to play outside half because he will bring other people into the game. Players will improve around him,” added Hill.

“He can put people through holes, can beat defences and offload in the tackle. Everybody will be able to play off him and he is an unselfish player who will bring the best out of the Warriors.

“Paul is a versatile player and attack minded, he is someone who will look to really fire our back line.”

Quartet sign new deals at Warriors

Posted on Jan 29, 2013 in Worcester Warriors

Worcester Warriors has today announced that four key members of the Sixways pack have committed their futures to the club.

Hooker Ed Shervington, prop George Porter and back row duo Sam Betty and Richard de Carpentier have all put pen to paper on new contracts.

The four forwards join Jonny Arr, Chris Pennell and Josh Drauniniu who have also recently pledged their playing futures to Warriors.

All-action front row Shervington, who has been capped by Wales at Under-21 level, joined Warriors in 2010 from Ospreys. He has become an established member of the senior set-up making 55 appearances in all competitions, scoring four tries.

“Ed has really progressed since he has been at Sixways and proven himself to be a genuine first team hooker in the Aviva Premiership,” said Head Coach Richard Hill.

“He works so hard you have to drag him out of the gym as he would be in there all day and all night. He compliments Aleki Lutui with his style of game and is very strong in the set piece so we are excited that he has committed his future to us.”

Dynamic flanker Betty, who can operate at both openside or blindside, has been a revelation for Warriors since making the step up from Cornish Pirates in 2011. Betty’s first season saw him pick up the Players’ Player of the Year Award at the club and the no-nonsense forward has since gone onto make 43 appearances for Warriors.

“Sam has made the transition up from the RFU Championship, which is not an easy thing to do for a forward, and been fantastic for us,” said Hill, who regularly deploys Betty as one of the club’s defensive captains.

“He is regarded as one of the best defensive back row forwards in the Aviva Premiership and is a hard man who will do anything for this club. He is also developing his attacking game which is very encouraging.”

Loosehead prop Porter, who joined Warriors from Plymouth Albion, has also signed new terms to continue his development at Sixways.

“We see George as an athletic and mobile loosehead who suits the fast game we want to play,” commented Hill.

“He has a big future in the game and has been unlucky with a shoulder injury this season that has restricted the amount of time we have seen him in action. But we have seen more than enough to convince us that he has a bright future at Warriors.”

The club is also delighted to announce that young back row prospect De Carpentier will remain at the club. Former Leicester Tigers player De Carpentier moved to Warriors in October and has now been rewarded for his performances on the training field and in cup action with a contract extension.

“Richard’s attitude is excellent. He is really dedicated, hard-working and wants to improve himself all the time,” added Hill.

“He has been unfortunate that he has had to bide his time for opportunities, but he made a very impressive display against London Irish at the weekend to show the talent we know he has. He is one of the younger members of the squad and a very exciting English talent for us to work with.”