Massive Tonga centre cum flanker Epi Taione has arrived in Durban to play for the Sharks following the completion of his season in Japan.
Tongan jets in to boost Sharks squad for Super 14 game.
Massive Tonga centre cum flanker Epi Taione has arrived in Durban to play for the Sharks following the completion of his season in Japan.
The 1.93m, 123kg Tongan sensation flew into South Africa on Tuesday fresh from a season of club rugby for the Sanyo Wild Knights.
Having been named one of the five finalists of the IRB Player of the Rugby World Cup, Taione certainly has plenty to offer the Sharks who have a bye this weekend in the Super 14 tournament.
Sharks coach Dick Muir has confirmed that Taione - being the heaviest player in his squad - will play at flanker or number eight.
Taione, who famously changed his name to Paddy Power at the Rugby World Cup last year, says gaining selection to the Sharks starting line-up is the greatest challenge of his rugby career.
"It doesn't matter where I play," said Taione.
"The game has changed so much. I've played inside centre, but in Japan I was at blindside flanker and number eight.
"In Tonga we consider ourselves rugby players and not specialists."
Although he comes to Durban as a stranger, the Sharks are no strangers to him.
Sanyo team-mate Tony Brown, who previously spent a season with the Sharks and is now with the Stormers on their overseas tour, had only good things to say about the Sharks.
"Tony mentioned how great the atmosphere is here, that he was in love with this place, so I have some insights," said Taione.
"I also played with Warren Britz and Mark Andrews at Newcastle so the Sharks are not totally new to me.
"I am also looking forward to playing alongside someone like Frans Steyn, he's one of the most exciting players in the world right now. It's exciting to be here, to have a team-mate like Frederic Michalak who is a good player - AJ Venter too."
Muir has no doubt that the Sharks have landed a major signing.
"He has arrived fit and raring to go," said Muir.
"He will be a real bonus and we believe he will make a big impact."
