McGahan delighted with Laulala signing
New Munster signing Casey Laulala in action for the Cardiff Blues against Leinster earlier this season
MUNSTER coach Tony McGahan has spoken of his delight at signing former New Zealand centre Casey Laulala for the next two seasons.
Munster confirmed the signing of the 29-year-old from Cardiff Blues on Thursday and he will join the province from the beginning of next season.
“The club is obviously delighted that we’ve managed to secure the services of a player of his undoubted calibre for the next two seasons,” said McGahan.
“I believe it shows the ambition that Munster Rugby harbors for the years ahead and I think it speaks volumes that a high quality player such as Casey chooses to come to Munster ahead of a very impressive chasing pack.
“We’re only too well aware of his rugby capabilities having come up against him first hand for the past number of seasons and believe he will not only have a strong contribution on-field but also act as a mentor to the emerging back talent we have in our squad.”
Laulala won three caps for the All Blacks, including one against Ireland in Auckland in 2006. He played 61 times for the Canterbury Crusader in the Super 14 and scored the winning try in the final against the Wellington Hurricanes. He also played in the Air New Zealand Cup with Canterbury.
He joined the Cardiff Blues in July 2009 and has made 58 appearances to date, scoring 14 tries. He has played outside centre in all of Cardiff’s pool games in the Heineken Cup as they earned one of the best runner-up places and will play Leinster away in the quarter-final.
He is the second big-name signing announced by Munster in the space of a week following confirmation that Northampton Saints centre James Downey will also join the province at the end of the current season.
Munster-bound Laulala said: “I’ve enjoyed myself very, very much at the Cardiff Blues and was fortunate enough to win the Amlin Challenge Cup with them in my first season.
“I guess this is a fresh challenge for me, it’s something new and hopefully the Munster welcome will be as warm as the one I experienced here in Cardiff. “Munster are a very successful team so I’m looking forward to joining them and experiencing life in Ireland.
“However, there is still a lot of rugby to be played this season so I am still fully focused on doing well for the Blues.”
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