WELLINGTON — Hulking back-row forward Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa will wear Black and Yellow next season after signing a two-year deal with reigning Super Rugby Pacific champions the Hurricanes. The 22-year-old arrives in the capital following the demise of Moana Pasifika, where he scored 11 tries in 25 outings across a strong two-year stint, and after a maiden All Blacks call-up for the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series under Dave Rennie in which he did not win a Test cap but featured in two mid-week fixtures against the Sharks and the Lions.
Commenting on his move, Tupou Ta'eiloa said: "I'm grateful for the opportunity to represent the Hurricanes. It's exciting to be part of such a proud region and I can't wait to get started. Malo." Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw added: "It's great that Semisi is joining us on a two-year deal. He's got a lot of potential, having already played for a couple of years in Super Rugby Pacific," Laidlaw said. "The first time I saw him play was when he was in South Africa with the New Zealand U19 side three or four years ago. His destructive power both in the tackle and in the ball-carry was obvious. To be selected by the All Blacks to go to South Africa this year shows what potential he's got."
In London, Harlequins have tied down England U20s trio Lucas Friday, Elliot Williams and Tate Williams on fresh long-term contracts following breakthrough seasons. Scrum-half Friday and lock Elliot Williams both featured for Quins in the PREM and Investec Champions Cup, while Tate Williams made his senior bow in the PREM Rugby Cup. All three were prominent members of the England U20s squad last season and featured in the run to the Junior World Championship semi-finals in the summer. Harlequins head coach Jason Gilmore said: "We're really pleased to announce the renewals of Lucas (Friday), Elliot (Williams) and Tate (Williams). They're three young men who have incredibly bright futures ahead of them, and all have the capability to contribute to the Harlequins jersey for many years."
Gilmore added on the trio: "Lucas is developing his all-round game as a scrum-half nicely, and we have already seen what he can do at the top level of the Club game after being put into a starting spot last season," while Elliot Williams is "a physical second row who works well in the contact area and set-piece" and Tate Williams is "a powerful back rower who has the qualities to influence matches in both the tight areas of the game, and in the loose when he gets ball in hand." The club will continue to work closely with the University of Bath on Tate Williams' development while he completes his education.
Highly rated Welsh forward Carwyn Tuipulotu looks set to become the latest Welshman to head to England, with multiple reports linking the 25-year-old with a switch to Exeter Chiefs as first revealed by Ruck. A free agent since leaving Pau at the end of last season after 14 appearances and four tries across a season-and-a-half, Tuipulotu spent time with the Dragons in pre-season. The reported move to Devon comes as the Chiefs manage an injury crisis at lock with Andrea Zambonin and Lewis Pearson sidelined. Tuipulotu made his senior debut for Scarlets in 2021 and made 42 appearances for the Llanelli-based outfit before exiting partway through the 2024/25 season, and previously made two appearances for Saracens in the PREM Rugby Cup. His potential arrival follows Ardie Savea's move to the Blues being confirmed by the Auckland-based outfit.