Wasps Sign All Black Toomaga-Allen

Wasps have added yet another All Black to their ranks for the 2019/20 season with tighthead prop Jefferey Toomaga-Allen joining the club from Super Rugby franchise the Hurricanes.

Toomaga-Allen joins former Highlanders' Lima Sopoaga and Malakai Fekitoa as well as former Hurricanes captain Brad Shields.

Toomaga-Allen, who picked up a New Zealand cap against Japan in 2013 and was also named in the 2017 Rugby Championship squad, will make the switch to the Ricoh Arena this summer.

The 28-year-old burst onto the Super Rugby scene with the Canes in 2012 and has gone on to make 101 appearances for the franchise, helping them win the title in 2016 as they defeated the Lions 20-3 in the final.

He was also part of the Wellington-based side’s charge to the 2015 final while they have also made the semi-finals in the last two campaigns.

Toomaga-Allen will link up with former teammate Brad Shields at Wasps, with both having made their Hurricances debuts back in 2012, and both also reaching the 100-appearance milestone for the Club in 2018.

On the New Zealand domestic stage, Toomaga-Allen has represented Wellington 34 times in the ITM/Mitre 10 Cup, helping them to the final of the competition back in 2013 and was also named as their Top Player in 2012.

Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “To bring someone of Jeff’s calibre to the Club is fantastic news.

“Jeff is a solid scrummager while also being strong in defence, and like most New Zealanders, he is gifted with ball in hand so he’s a terrific all-round player.

“We’re looking forward to him joining us next season as he’ll provide a real wealth of experience to the front row.”

Toomaga-Allen added: “I’m really excited to be joining Wasps later this year. It’s a fantastic Club with a lot of history.

“I want to help the Club compete at the very top of the Premiership and European competitions, and hopefully I can be part of something special in winning trophies.

Stuart to leave Wasps in summer

Wasps have also confirmed that prop Will Stuart will be leaving the Club in the summer.  

Stuart, who was nurtured by the Club’s Academy, has gone on to make 24 first-team appearances.

Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “We’re really disappointed that Will has decided to move on.

“We did all we could to try and keep him at Wasps but at the end of the day, sometimes players decide that they want to take on new challenges and there’s not a lot you can do once they’ve made up their minds.

“We wish Will all the best for the future.”

Stuart said: “I’d like to thank everyone at Wasps, from Dai to all the players, coaches and staff, for helping me to this stage of my career.

“I’ll continue to wear the shirt with pride till the end of the season and want to finish on a high note at Wasps.”