another kiwi being groomed for the wallabies - telusa veainu off to the rebels

Former Crusader and NZ U20 star off to the Rebels

Rebels have strengthened their 2014 squad, with the signing of winger Telusa Veainu as a Developing Foreign Player from competition heavyweights the Crusaders on a two year deal.

The 22 year old speedster will move to Melbourne following a brilliant start to the 2013 ITM Cup for Hawke's Bay, which has seen him score four tries in just six games, including one in their victorious Ranfurly Shield challenge against Otago.

Veainu has been in scintillating form in recent matches, and wants to ensure he finishes the 2013 season on a high.

"I'm focused on performing well throughout the rest of the ITM Cup, and then moving over to Melbourne to join the Rebels," said Kawakawa-born Veainu.

"The Rebels showed this year they are capable of competing with anybody. They defeated the Stormers and Waratahs, and had bonus point losses to the Chiefs, Crusaders and Blues. They are a team on the rise and I am very excited about moving to Melbourne and being a part of this young Club."

Rebels General Manager of Rugby, Sam Cordingley, said that the Club were delighted that they were able to convince Veainu to cross the Tasman.

"As a developing foreign player, we believe Telusa will develop into a player who is comfortable performing consistently at Super Rugby level," Cordingley said. "His record and try scoring ratio at ITM Cup level is outstanding, and we have no doubt he can translate that form onto the Super Rugby stage for our Members here in Melbourne.

"The international experience we have in our coaching department, and now playing roster, will hold us in great stead for 2014 and beyond, with many young Rebels already committing to the Club long term. As we continue to build an international Rugby program, Telusa is a great asset.

Veainu moved to Napier for the ITM Cup this year after 21 tries over 34 games during three seasons at Canterbury, and is playing alongside fellow 2014 Rebel recruit Max Lahiff and departed Foundation Rebel Ged Robinson at the Magpies.

Veainu has made eight Super Rugby appearances for the Highlanders and Crusaders, scoring a memorable length of the field try in Dunedin for the Crusaders this year. Veainu also scored a hat trick of tries as New Zealand defeated Australia in the final of the 2010 IRB World Championships in Argentina.

veainu showed some of the typical kwi  attacking rugby flair with his limited time in super rugby and hes been in real good form for the magpies (anyone would think that hawkes bay was part of the cruseaders region, but will cry myeslf a river another time).

i remmeber that solo try he scored against the higlanders just on the 80 min mark, rebels have made some real smart signings for 2014, tamati ellison and now veainu, pheeeew.
cant help but think that the crusaders almost getting savea was a bit of all talk though, cos veainu would have been much cheaper and under the crusaders guidance would have been a spXV level star for sure, o_O

as good as he is, even he must see how hard it is to make the All Blacks, being amongst the best in NZ might be all right to get u into any team in the world (and yes i mean any team -_0), but to make the All Blacks, u need a bit more.

do i cant blame him for going of to australia in search for something bigger and more yellow, at least he will be compensated nicely if he does make the wallys and while loyalty to the All Blacks is important, its not as important as loyalty to ur family, so make the $$$$ now build ur rugby profile and hope for bigger bucks down the road when u head up north.

but good to see NZ helping our older brother and keeping with the ANZAC spirit.

Hoping he can pull off some magic Sas. Rebels have always had an interesting mix. A dash of league players brand new to rugby, some rugby talent from Sydney club rugby, some has-been Aussie greats  and some has-been internationals on and off. Mixed with Kiwi promise like Woodward, English, Ged of course, Somerville in first season, and one or two Saffas. And then the pratt signings of JOC and Beale. Always a mixed bag, and always mixed results.