The Scarlets have announced the signing of experienced tighthead prop Chris Apoua from Moana Pasifika.
Apoua has also played for Northland and Southland at provincial level in New Zealand while he has a reputation as a strong scrummager and mobile tighthead.
Weighing 119kg, with 85 senior rugby appearances in New Zealand across provincial NPC and Super Rugby, Apoua anchored a solid platform for his club last season, helping them maintain an 89.5% own scrum success rate and with an individual tackle efficiency of 86.5%.
Davies: Power and physicality
“Chris gives us something we've been very clear we need within the squad with power and physicality at tight-head,” said Scarlets director of rugby Nigel Davies.
“He brings experience from a different and demanding rugby environment that we believe will benefit the wider group.
“He's a strong scrummager and a real competitor and what particularly attracted us is what he can give us around the field. He's a powerful ball carrier, gets himself involved in the game and has the ability to get us across the gain-line.
“That's important to how we want to play. We want a pack that can put teams under pressure at set-piece but can also contribute to generating quick ball and giving our attack momentum.
“We've spoken a lot about creating greater competition within the squad. Nobody should feel the Scarlets jersey belongs to them and bringing Chris into the group strengthens that competition in an important position.
“Chris clearly wants to contribute to what we're building here and lend his experience to our forward pack. We're really looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the group.”
Apoua's excitement
Apoua is one of a number of new signings which include former Wales playmaker Gareth Anscombe, All Blacks backrower Cullen Grace, second-rows Harvey Cuckson, Alex Groves and Tom Allen along with front-rowers Corey Domachowski and John McKee.
“I'm really excited to join the Scarlets and take on the fresh challenge of playing in the URC and EPCR competitions across Europe and South Africa,” said Apoua.
“Scarlets is a proud club with a deep history and strong values and carries a reputation in New Zealand as having super passionate fans and a community entrenched in rugby. That’s something I want to be a part of.
“I know there’s plenty of competition in the front row and I'm looking forward to getting to work with the squad.
“I hope my experience will add to something more to Scarlets and help the team be successful.
“There’s clearly plenty of energy and ambition around Parc y Scarlets and I’m looking forward to the new season and making a mark.”
Competition for the jersey
The 34-year-old will compete with Australian Archer Holz and Wales internationals Henry Thomas and Harri O'Connor for the tighthead jersey at Parc y Scarlets.
They also have high hopes for promising youngster Gabe Hawley along with Wales U20s internationals Jac Pritchard and Yestyn Cook.
“Developing Welsh players isn't something we just talk about at Scarlets,” said Davies, who insists the number of overseas recruits to the Welsh region is a positive thing.
“We've demonstrated it over many years and it remains fundamental to who we are. It will always be at the heart of this club.
“Young players need competition. They need experienced players from different rugby backgrounds around them, to be challenged every day and to understand that a Scarlets shirt has to be earned.
“For us, selective recruitment from outside Wales has to have a clear rugby purpose and be balanced and purposeful - making the collective stronger. Chris will contribute significantly to the environment around our Welsh players and we’re delighted to welcome him to Parc y Scarlets.”
