Leicester Tigers sign Mapapalangi [1]
Tuesday, August 8, 2017 - 21:51. Updated on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 - 21:54.
Valentino Mapapalangi has been signed by a UK club, the Leicester Tigers. The 24-year-old ‘Ikale Tahi back-rower has six caps for Tonga and has played professionally since 2015 for the Manawatu Turbos in New Zealand’s national provincial tournament.
The Tigers announced the signing yesterday. Tiger’s head coach, Matt O’Connor, stated “Valentino is a very talented young player with a lot of potential to grow and develop with us.
“He is a physical player on both sides of the ball, a strong ball-carrier and can provide us with a useful option in the forward pack.
“We’re looking forward to bringing him in during pre-season and working with him ahead of the 2017/18 programme.”
Also playing for the Leicester Tigers are Tonga internationals Telusa Veainu and Sione Kalamafoni.