ANTHONY FOLEY HAS predicted big things from Munster’s newest Kiwi recruit Francis Saili.
The two-cap All Black will be added to Foley’s midfield options next season once he has filled his contractual commitment to the NZRU.
With the sun shining on Munster’s training session at Cork Institute of Technology today, Foley was clearly in no mood to dampen anticipation, telling RedFM:
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“He’s talented. First and foremost he’s an excellent footballer. He doesn’t have many weaknesses in his game.
Being an All Black, to get to that level of international rugby you have to tick a lot of boxes and he does that.”
While Saili has shown a deal of versatility in his two seasons in Super Rugby, Munster’s head coach clearly has only two jerseys in mind for him — 12 and 13.
“He’s an excellent player, a very exciting centre coming in. A bit of a character as well which is always good, it means he’ll fit in here with the boys.”
“On top of that he’s a very good rugby player, he’s got a lot in his skill-set that we’re very excited about. We think he’ll fit in nicely in the northern hemisphere.”
Tyler Bleyendaal and Andrew Conway wait their turn in a drill in CIT today. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
While Foley discussed one incoming New Zealander, there were positive signs from the man recruited this time last season as Tyler Bleyendaal again played some part in training.
The ex-Crusaders man suffered a prolapsed disc in his neck last year and so his arrival in Munster was delayed until January. However, as he continues a long road to recovery he will surely look forward to the possibility of playing alongside his compatriot – be it in the centre as first and second five-eighths.
Foley on new signing Francis Saili: 'He doesn't have many weaknesses'
ANTHONY FOLEY HAS predicted big things from Munster’s newest Kiwi recruit Francis Saili.
The two-cap All Black will be added to Foley’s midfield options next season once he has filled his contractual commitment to the NZRU.
With the sun shining on Munster’s training session at Cork Institute of Technology today, Foley was clearly in no mood to dampen anticipation, telling RedFM:
“He’s talented. First and foremost he’s an excellent footballer. He doesn’t have many weaknesses in his game.
While Saili has shown a deal of versatility in his two seasons in Super Rugby, Munster’s head coach clearly has only two jerseys in mind for him — 12 and 13.
“He’s an excellent player, a very exciting centre coming in. A bit of a character as well which is always good, it means he’ll fit in here with the boys.”
“On top of that he’s a very good rugby player, he’s got a lot in his skill-set that we’re very excited about. We think he’ll fit in nicely in the northern hemisphere.”
While Foley discussed one incoming New Zealander, there were positive signs from the man recruited this time last season as Tyler Bleyendaal again played some part in training.
The ex-Crusaders man suffered a prolapsed disc in his neck last year and so his arrival in Munster was delayed until January. However, as he continues a long road to recovery he will surely look forward to the possibility of playing alongside his compatriot – be it in the centre as first and second five-eighths.
You can listen to Big Red Bench on RedFM live here, or follow on Twitter @BigRedBench.
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