Leeds Carnegie have added weight to their Championship promotion campaign with the addition of Tonga prop Halani Aulika.
World Cup forward joins promotion bid at Headingley
Leeds Carnegie have added weight to their RFU hampionship promotion campaign with the addition of Tonga prop Halani Aulika.
The 28-year-old international will join the side for the remainder of the season as sixth-placed Carnegie aim to bounce back to the Premiership following relegation last season.
Aulika made his Tonga debut ahead of the World Cup in New Zealand last year in the friendly against Fiji before featuring in the tournament.
But he now makes the switch to Headingley having previously played with Highlanders in Super Rugby.
With three wins in their last five outings Carnegie will be looking to build on their recent form with the play-offs set to begin in March and Leeds boss Diccon Edwards is delighted to sign Aulika at such a pivotal time.
Delighted
"We are delighted to have secured a player of Halani's quality as we enter a crucial part of the season," he said.
"The fact that he can play on both sides of the front row is a major plus for us especially with Mike MacDonald and Phil Swainston currently out injured and Kane Palma-Newport having returned to Bath after his loan spell at the club.
"He will add a lot of experience to our squad as we look to build our momentum in to the play-offs and our promotion drive."
Aulika arrived in England on Friday and follows former Newcastle Falcons flanker Ed Williamson into the Carnegie dressing room as they strengthen their Premiership promotion hopes.
