All-Black Bruce Reihana signs for Saints

By The Newshound
July 13 2002

Former All-Black and Waikato Chiefs back three player Bruce Reihana has signed for Northampton Saints. Great news for Saints fans who were growing uneasy at the ammonut of players leaving the club and the lack of replacements. Reihana is the 4th player to join saints over the summer.

Waikato chiefs, New Zealand Maoris and former All Black, Bruce Reihana has confirmed he will be joining the Saints after months of speculation. News of the move was first leaked through the French press after Biarritz had also shown an interest in the Kiwi utility back.

Reihana has only played twice for the All Blacks, but is currently a member of the New Zealand Sevens squad for the Commonwealth games. It is his record for Waikato that is the most impressive appearing 58 times for the Chiefs in the super 12 and scoring 44 tries for Waikato in 71 games in the New Zealand Provincial Championship (NPC). This season Reihana was the Chief's 2nd highest try scorer with 6 tries and features twice in the Super 12 'most tries in a season' table. Only Eric Rush and Roger Randle have scored more times. In addition to being a great finisher he can also Kick goals.

Reihana has reportedly signed for two and a half years for an undisclosed sum and will join the Saints after the conclusion of the NPC in October.

Welcome Bruce and well done Wayne Smith. This is exactly the news that Saints fans were waiting for!