MUNSTER’S MALAKAI FEKITOA will leave the province for Benetton Rugby in the summer, the Italian club have announced.
The former All Black centre, now a Tonga international, will depart after one full season with Munster, the province announced last month. He has agreed a three-year deal with Benetton, until June 2026.
“I am very excited to join the club next season,” Fekitoa said. “My family and I are very grateful for the opportunity. It’s a new challenge for me in my career and I’m looking forward to giving my all and playing really well for Benetton Rugby.”
Fekitoa joined Munster from Wasps last February on a two-year contract, but has found gametime limited.
Having sat out the early rounds of the Champions Cup, Fekitoa made his European debut for Munster away to Toulouse last month. He also featured in the historic victory over South Africa at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in November.
He made his All Blacks debut against England as a 22-year-old and went on to win a World Cup in 2015. Fekitoa was born and raised in Ha’apai, Tonga and now represents the country of his birth at international level.
A loss, he was coming to form… and is an exciting player on attack. A lot of people disappointed with him at the start of the season but Munster were playing poorly as a team anyway. He as individual wasn’t going to make Munster a success overnight.
I would of loved to see him remain for another year. Compared to R Scannell he’s far more of a treat and has great running lines and ball in hand skills for off loading and making the pass.
Beir bua Malakai
Hello bundee?
@Gary Galligan: Bundee won’t be going anywhere, sorry to burst your bubble.
@Gary Galligan: they’ve already signed Nankivell
@Gary Galligan: already signed Alex Nankivell. No Bundee after that id say!
@Gary Galligan: why are you saying hello to Bundee??? We have a centre signed
Awful start. But seemed to kick into gear after been dropped.
Still not the player that was on the world cup winning team, but good signing all same. They have been really impressive benetton this year.
@Paddy Waggon: Benetton at home have been very very good, away from home have only beat Zebre and Ospreys. Looks like they are acting like the Top 14 teams, in having a home team and away team. Think for this last stretch they will just play strongest team available. They have a lot more non Italian players than in years past, look to have picked up a number of good Argentinians from Jaguares plus have a lot of good young players coming though.
Even with the new lad coming from NZ, feels a bit light at centre.
Frisch has made a good start and Scannell is a solid backup, but Goggin hasn’t looked up to it in recent season. Gibbons is the one academy centre and only year 1.
Wonder if Munster will go to the market again? Either IQ or NIQ
@Johnny 5: you forgot Oli Morris
@Kingshu: Short term signing as emergency cover for Farrell no? I haven’t seen him in a 23 yet. Hardly staying on
Shocking state of affairs but I reckon Leinster have at least 5 centres ahead of any of what Munster can put out – apart from henshaw and ringrose there’s O’Brien osborne ngatai and Frawley
And while it may seem a slight on Munster I see it more as a massive problem for Irish rugby
@John Lowry: thought another centre, Liam Turner was one of the best players going forward last weekend
@John Lowry: We’ve always had problems in the middle of the park really.
How many would cup winners have played for Irish provinces? Munster have had 3 recently. Perhaps some of Harrison (Ulster) Langford or Williams ??
@Ciaran Kennedy: Mils Muliaina for Connacht too.
@Ciaran Kennedy: Thorn Leinster?
@Ciaran Kennedy: all the 2007 bokke. Botja Munster Ulster, Pienaar Ulster, Muller Ulstrr, CJ at Leinster.
@Ciaran Kennedy: don’t see your point really …, but as you brought up the topic Leinster could possibly have about 12 by the end of the year all going well … and Munster Ulster and Connaught should also reap the awards.
@Ciaran Kennedy: don’t see your point really …, but as you brought up the topic Leinster could possibly have about 12 by the end of the year all going well … and Munster Ulster and Connaught should also reap the awards.
@Cathal Carr: Jesus hadn’t remembered Pienaar was there back in 07.
I think the ‘Bundee to Munster’ issue is still open. There is still a space at Munster as Farrell is also gone. It seems to me the basic question is whether Bundee’s relationship with the Connacht management is resolved. Are they going to play him? If not, there is no point in a centrally contracted player rotting away
Leave out the interprovincial BS it was a personal decision, I wish him and his family the best. Nothing personal to the clubs is my take