Giants prop Rapira will join Toulouse

HUDDERSFIELD Giants prop Sam Rapira will join Championship side Toulouse at the end of the season.

The New Zealand international, who won the World Cup with the Kiwis in 2008, has scored three tries in 53 appearances for the Giants.

Giants managing director Richard Thewlis said: “Sam has been great to have at the club and leaves with our very best wishes for his future.

“He has been a real role model to a number of our younger forwards.”

The capture of the 30-year-old prop is a sign of Toulouse Olympique’s determination to reach Super League in 2019 after narrowly missing out on the Qualifiers this season.

Toulouse president Bernard Sarrazain said: “The TO XIII ambition is to make the first places of the Championship next season and to play in the Super League in the near future.

“To achieve these goals, we need to rely on experienced players like Sam. His experience in the best world championships will be precious in our quest to reach the heights. It’s a real plus for our team and I’m sure he’ll be able to guide and bring the players around with him.”

Rapira made 175 NRL appearances for New Zealand Warriors from 2006 before joining Huddersfield ahead of the 2016 season and was in the Kiwis team that won the World Cup in 2008.

“I’m really excited about this new experience,” said Rapira.

“I look forward to meeting the team, the staff and all the members of Toulouse Olympique.

“I have heard only good things about this club and the city in general. I cannot wait to get to Toulouse.”

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