Ospreys bolster their numbers ahead of the new season with the addition of Aisea Natoga
Ospreys have bolstered their numbers ahead of the new RaboDirect PRO12 season with the addition of Fijian utility back Aisea Natoga.
The 22-year-old can play as a centre, wing and full-back, and he has won five international caps.
Ospreys Rugby Operations Manager Andy Lloyd told the club's official website: "We've been tracking Aisea for some time so we are delighted to be able to secure his services for the Ospreys.
"We've watched him very closely and taken feedback from some very reliable sources to ensure his suitability as a character for our environment." Lloyd on Natoga "European rugby has seen a number of Fijian players making a huge impact in recent seasons. It's clear that being in and around a professional environment where they get full nutritional and conditioning support helps them to really fulfil their explosive potential, as you'd expect. "We definitely see that in Aisea having looked at him for a while. He's someone who started to come on the international radar last autumn when he won his first cap on Fiji's autumn tour, and he was a big part of the squad that won the Pacific Nations Cup last month. Suitability "We've watched him very closely and taken feedback from some very reliable sources to ensure his suitability as a character for our environment. Live on Sky Sports Live Super Rugby 2013 First Qualifying Play-Off July 19, 2013 8:30am Remote Record Get a Sky Sports Day Pass Upgrade to Sky Sports "He fits what we are trying to do here as a team that remains ambitious to compete on all fronts. He adds another edge to our backline and gives us depth in key positions that we didn't have last season. "Although he's played sevens rugby he isn't just a stereotypical sidestepping sevens player, he has physicality and power which makes him a very dangerous player. He's versatile and positionally he has good awareness of what is happening around him. "As with the other signings we've made this summer, Aisea may be under the radar but we have worked hard to identify players who will bring something different to the mix while having a strong team ethic and a real desire to help the Ospreys continue to progress. We are genuinely excited about the impact he could have in an Ospreys shirt." Source : http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/15190/8824905/RaboDirect-PRO12-Ospreys-sign-Fijian-utility-back-Aisea-Natoga
"European rugby has seen a number of Fijian players making a huge impact in recent seasons. It's clear that being in and around a professional environment where they get full nutritional and conditioning support helps them to really fulfil their explosive potential, as you'd expect.
"We definitely see that in Aisea having looked at him for a while. He's someone who started to come on the international radar last autumn when he won his first cap on Fiji's autumn tour, and he was a big part of the squad that won the Pacific Nations Cup last month.
"We've watched him very closely and taken feedback from some very reliable sources to ensure his suitability as a character for our environment.
"He fits what we are trying to do here as a team that remains ambitious to compete on all fronts. He adds another edge to our backline and gives us depth in key positions that we didn't have last season.
"Although he's played sevens rugby he isn't just a stereotypical sidestepping sevens player, he has physicality and power which makes him a very dangerous player. He's versatile and positionally he has good awareness of what is happening around him.
"As with the other signings we've made this summer, Aisea may be under the radar but we have worked hard to identify players who will bring something different to the mix while having a strong team ethic and a real desire to help the Ospreys continue to progress. We are genuinely excited about the impact he could have in an Ospreys shirt." Source : http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/15190/8824905/RaboDirect-PRO12-Ospreys-sign-Fijian-utility-back-Aisea-Natoga
