Bordeaux-Begles unveil Australia World Cup finalist Sekope Kepu
Tuesday 24 November 2015 17:07, UK
Bordeaux-Begles have unveiled new signing Australia World Cup finalist Sekope Kepu.
Prop Kepu, one of the stars of the World Cup, has signed a three-year deal with Europe's best-supported club after joining from New South Wales Waratahs.
"It's a great privilege and honour to finally be here and start a new journey in my rugby career," he said.
"It's exciting now that everything's finished for me in Australia. I'm trying something different, playing in France and enjoying the lifestyle here and challenging myself to play in the Top 14 and be a better player and better person.
For me part of the decision to come was to play in French competition and test myself against some of the best props in the world.
"It's going to be tough, nothing's going to be easy, but it's all part of trying to be a better player. I know this is one of the top competitions in the world, I'll try to fit myself into the team and achieving some goals as a team. I just want to be part of that journey.
"For me part of the decision to come was to play in French competition and test myself against some of the best props in the world - to be in scrums every weekend against French internationals. My family's really excited - nothing's easy in life but over the next month or two we'll settle in."
Kepu's new team-mates include Samoan hooker Ole Avei and Fijian winger Metuisela Talebula.
Australia's scrum was a revelation at the World Cup. Once their Achilles heel, the Wallabies pack stood firm throughout the tournament, with Kepu the lynchpin.
The Aussie scrum coach is former Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma, who played in the Top 14 with Clermont Auvergne and Castres.
"He told me only good things, that Bordeaux was a beautiful city to live in," said Kepu.
Bordeaux manager Raphael Ibanez said they had been tracking Kepu "for a long time".
"He's a prop of international standing, very complete and efficient in his position. It's a real gain for the club".
