Recent injuries and the prolonged absence of Ryan Jones means Ospreys Coach Lyn Jones needed to find back row cover and T-Pole’s impressive World Cup showing made him an obvious choice for the Magners League champions.
T-Pole has signed a contract until the end of the 2007-2008 season and will be available to play against Worcester Warriors in the EDF Energy Cup at the end of the month.
The 28-year-old has won eight Tongan and two Pacific Island national caps and his contract runs through to the end of the current season. He was a member of Tonga’s RWC 2007 squad and in his last match scored a try for Tonga in their defeat to England on September 28th 2007. He stands at 1.92m and weighs 102kgs.
Director of Rugby Kevin Hopkins said, “Recent injuries have made it necessary for us to look for some additional resource in our back row. Whilst we are committed to developing the promising young back row talent we have coming through in Rory Pitman, Tom Smith and Ben Lewis we have made the judgement that at this time we need experience in key positions.
“Hale will give us this cover through to the end of the season and I am sure our younger players will gain from the experience of playing and training with him.”Â
