The Rugby Paper

Fekitoa’s new star name for Wasps

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WASPS have earmarked All Blacks centre Malakai Fekitoa as a marquee signing to replace Kurtley Beale who is leaving the club at the end of the season. Highlander­s ace Fekitoa is out of contract at the end of the year and has said he is open to moving overseas and has spoken to a number of Premiershi­p clubs. Fekitoa, 24, is looking to secure his financial future and that of his family which could mean leaving New Zealand. Harlequins are also believed to be in the hunt to sign a player who has shown he isn’t scared to move clubs after leaving the Blues to join the Highlander­s.

But Wasps have emerged as serious contenders to land Tongan-born Fekitoa, who was a member of the All Blacks 2015 World Cup winning squad.

He is been in no rush to sit down and agree a new deal with the Dunedinbas­ed franchise he helped win the 2015 Super Rugby crown.

It could be taken as a sign that he has already made up his mind about taking up one of the offers he has on the table from the overseas clubs that are chasing him.

Fekitoa has been struggling to find his best form for the last year but has recently shown signs that it is coming back after scoring two tries against Melbourne Rebels.

A move overseas would temporaril­y mean Fekitoa is no longer available for the All Blacks who have a policy of not selecting players who move abroad.

 ??  ?? Tonganborn: Malakai Fekitoa
Tonganborn: Malakai Fekitoa

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