Overseas signings will only make home-grown stars better – Flanagan
WHEN a Welsh side announces the signing of a player from overseas it is inevitably met with accusations of overlooking home-grown talent.
Over the course of the last week the Dragons have announced the signings of four players from outside of Wales in the shape of South African back Chris Hollis, Australian pair Harry Wilson and Steve Cummins along with Tongan No 8 Solomone Funaki.
While these recruits have been criticised in some quarters, Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan is confident they will not only improve results but help develop the likes of Ryan Woodman, Harri Ackerman, Joe Westwood, Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths and Will Reed.
“I was fortunate enough to play in the Cardiff Galacticos era,” said Flanagan.
“Xavier Rush produced Sam Warburton, Paul Tito produced Bradley Davies, Ben Blair produced Leigh Halfpenny and Casey Laulala produced Jamie Roberts.
“It’s no coincidence that these players next to them had fantastic careers given the example they set.
“I saw it down west with Steve Cummins and the forwards down there.
“I saw it first hand, he was the ultimate professional with a very level head with experience and he understands the game.
“Again Sione Kalamafoni added to that with the Josh Macleod era.
“We are hoping Funaki brings exactly what Kalamafoni brought down west. Harry Wilson can light up in his own right. He’s got abilities that super excite me.
“He’s quick, he’s got a good outside break, he’s physical, he’s big. So, they’ll all add something individually and collectively.
“I think how we want to play there’ll be less interchange in our play because we’ll have certain types who can play in certain roles.”
Each professional club in Wales are permitted eight non-Welsh qualified players along with two time servers while any region who signs an overseas player must provide a development plan for their up-andcoming talent, along with how the new recruit will help in that process.
And Flanagan is confident his new recruits will help improve the clubs culture.
“Funaki excites me because the references I’ve had off Sam Lousi and Sione Kalamafoni have been unbelievable,” he said.
“I know Steve Cummins and I know the quality he can add. He’s been behind Sam Whitelock this year so he wants to come back and prove things.
“Chris Hollis wants to prove himself this week against the Stormers.
“Harry Wilson, I had an unbelievable reference off Jamie Roberts. Jamie played with him and spent time with him at the Waratahs.
“He’s given a massive green tick of approval and he’s a player he thinks can really kick on. Things like that are exciting and he’ll have a point to prove.
“There’s the experienced mob and the young mob who can come in and help us.”
Flanagan has also added former All Blacks backrower and Ospreys legend Filo Tiatia to his backroom team as defence coach.
Tiatia is the prime example of how the right quality of overseas player can improve standards across the board in Welsh rugby which in turn will push forward the development of Wales’ indigenous talent.
“I’ve know Filo for a long time and was super impressed with him when I went to the Ospreys as a player,” he said.
“His references are unbelievable and his understanding of the game has really impressed me.
“He will be a big asset for the region, and not just with the defence, he will be a help for me as a head coach and how we manage things in house.
“Filo will be accountable for defence, and that’s where he will add his biggest punch, but we’d be naive not to tap into his intelligence.
“He has certain non-negotiables and leadership skills that will be great for us to improve as a team and as an environment.”