All Black star Joe Rokocoko is set to join Bayonne after agreeing terms with the big spending Top 14 outfit.
All Black star signs two-year deal to play in Top 14
All Black star Joe Rokocoko is set to join Bayonne on a two-year deal after agreeing terms with the big spending Top 14 outfit.
The winger, who was named world player of the year in 2003, will link up with the French Club after the World Cup in New Zealand.
Rokocoko, who turns 28 in a fortnight, has been included in national coach Graham Henry's preliminary squad for will be his third World Cup if selected.
Bayonne sporting director Christian Gajan has made a series of high-profile signings as he seeks to replace the 10 players who are leaving the club.
Big names who will play for Bayonne next season include Australian international lock Mark Chisholm former All Black internationals Sione Lauaki and Neemia Tialata plus veteran France international utility back Cedric Heymans.
Ambitious
The addition of Rokocoko, who has scored 46 tries in 68 Tests for New Zealand, will provide a further boost to the ambitious club ahead of next season's campaign.
After just missed out after finishing in seventh place this season, Gajan is eager to take his club all the way to the play-offs next term
"He is a young player with experience," said the Bayonne boss, who also revealed that the senior squad had been reduced from 35 to 30.
"Joe has the advantage of being a wing who can also play at centre. There are still one or two players missing, in the realm of experience.
Gajan also revealed that he wanted to recruit 12 homegrown from the club's academy.
"There will be less foreign players next season than there were last season," he added
