WARRIORS SWOOP FOR PROP SIUA
TONGA prop Siua Halanukonuka has signed a two-year deal at Glasgow Warriors. Halanukonuka has spent the last two seasons at Dunedin-based Highlanders and featured in the Super Rugby side’s victory against the touring British and Irish Lions last month. The 30-year-old will join the Warriors in October, subject to a visa and medical, at the end of his Mitre 10 Cup commitments with the Tasman Makos. ‘I’m excited to be joining Glasgow Warriors,’ Halanukonuka said. ‘It is a team aiming for titles and big things which excites me. ‘I’ve heard about their loyal fans and the great club atmosphere and I look forward to being a part of this in the near future.’ Halanukonuka made his debut for Tonga in 2014 and has won six caps for his country. Warriors assistant coach Jonathan Humphreys said: ‘Siua comes with a lot of experience, having played regularly in Super Rugby over the past two seasons. ‘He is a great signing and adds to the competition at tight-head.’ Halanukonuka becomes the Guinness Pro12 outfit’s 10th summer addition.
THE Return Of The Jackal is the working title for tonight’s resumption of Carl Frampton’s career in Belfast — but the man himself fears there will be no more appearances in the ring if he loses. The plan is to knock out Mexico’s Andres Gutierrez in the Odyssey Arena and journey on to a world featherweight title fight against Welsh IBF champion Lee Selby. But Frampton admits defeat this weekend could end his career. Frampton scaled one pound over the nine-stone featherweight limit at the weigh-in, which disqualifies the bout as an eliminator for the WBC belt. That miscalculation suggests making the weight is becoming difficult now he is 30. The Mexican, 24, remains a 10-1 underdog in the betting. It is Frampton’s first outing since his only defeat, in the second of his two world title fights with Leo Santa Cruz. Gutierrez, who has 25 stoppages in 35 wins against only one defeat, said: ‘I’m here to take the opportunity of a lifetime.’
Frampton v Gutierrez live on Channel 5 from 10.10pm.