Tonga ace on way to Coventry

COVENTRY have filled the remaining major gap in their Championship squad by signing current Tonga international fly-half Fangatapu Apikotoa. The 25-year-old goalkicking No.10 has made 20 Test appearances for Tonga from his debut against Manu Samoa in 2004 to his last appearance in the Pacific Nations Cup game against Japan at the end of June. The capture of Apikotoa completes a patient wait

Cov’s rugby director Phil Maynard to secure the quality of player he wanted for the pivotal backs role.

“Tapu’s recent form has made him one of the stand-out players in the Tonga squad,” he said. “I’ve seen him play against the top sides like Australia and New Zealand, which really put his kicking ability to the test, and he has acquitted himself well.

“When you prove yourself against such sides it really doesn’t get any better.”

Maynard had a number of options for the fly-half slot before deciding on Apikotoa, a schoolteacher by profession, after consulting another of his former Tonga international signings, ex-Pertemps Bees back row Hese Fakatou.

“It’s an important position in the team and I wasn’t going to make a hurried decision without being sure I had the right player for what we need,” he said. “Hese told me that Tapu is the best in Tonga by a long way, which confirmed what I had seen for myself.

“Tapu can also step in at centre and full-back, and he brings the balance to the squad I have been looking for.”