Sharks sign 120kg Tongan monster

The Sharks will be bolstering their pack ahead of the Super 14 by importing some Tongan beef in the form of versatile international Epi Taione.

The monster Pacific Islander will be joining the costal franchise in mid February at the start of the Super 14 rugby tournament.

The 28-year-old currently plies his trade in Japan at the Sanyo Wild Knights where Tony Brown, who has recently liked up with the Stormers, is a player-coach of the club.

Taione has previously played rugby in the English Premiership for the Newcastle Falcons and both Warren Britz and Mark Andrews have spoken highly of his ball carrying abilities, according to Sharks coach Dick Muir.

"We are really excited to have got the services of somebody like Epi," said Muir.

"He is highly regarded for his ball carrying abilities."

Taione played for Tonga during their 30-25 pool game loss to the Springboks in France.

On that occasion though the six foot four and 120kg "wrecking ball" turned out at centre where he managed to build a lot of momentum for the minnows.

Versatile

While Taione is versatile enough to hold his own among the backs, Muir said that he would look to field the big man at loose forward.

"We see him as a ball carrying blindside flank or No8," he said.

"That's where he plays for his club in Japan."

Muir cautioned that Taione would be certain to make an impact and would not be like Daniel Farani, the Samoan international who joined the Sharks several seasons ago, but proved to be nothing more than dead weight.

Taione is the fifth Sharks' signing along with prop Jannie du Plessis, flyhalf Frederic Michalak, lock Rudi Mathee and scrumhalf Charl Macleod.

The squad recently completed a training camp in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands where they were based at Michaelhouse.