www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/fainga-...20180705-p4zps5.html

Only 6 days ago

And no message about signigns being over.
I know it doesn't appear every year, but still a good sign for the very last we need : a LH prop

Mark Mostyn wrote: Trying not to think too much about what might have been if we recruited this well the season after we won the league. Wonder how helpful Friend’s relationship with The Nooce has been. Very excited for the season now.

Would have to agree. What was probably the most exciting signing for most after the Pro12 win (Marnitz Boshoff) turned out to be one of the greatest disasters mainly due to the fact that it cost us the services of AJ Mc Ginty. But with the exception of the LH I believe we still need to sign, I'm very optimistic about next season. I think the both Copeland and Fainga'a will bring a lot of quality to the backrow and along with Butler, some serious ball carrying ability and a hugh turnover threat at the breakdown.

Trying not to think too much about what might have been if we recruited this well the season after we won the league. Wonder how helpful Friend’s relationship with The Nooce has been. Very excited for the season now.

Was told by an Australian elsewhere online that Fainga’a is a pure openside.

Looks like a really good signing, like that Friend will be well versed on how he plays.

Our backrow is going to be very competitive next year, the more I think about it the more I like the signing of Copeland. With a coach who has a 7s background I think he could really thrive as he would have made an immense 7s player.

Looks like a right Swiss Army knife type of back row.

Vast majority of starts in Super Rugby at 7. Notable exception his first season at the Rebels (2014) when he played mostly as 6 (anyone with better super rugby knowledge know if he was playing as a 6 or was this one of those dual-openside setups?).

Has played mostly 8 in the Australian NPC, but just as in his Super rugby career has starts in all three back row positions. Serious backup/challenge for Butler, wonderful bench oprition.

Excellent news. Serious competition in the back row now.

www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-secure-sig...ad-of-201819-season/

Another new signing - Colby Fainga’a (back row) from Australian Super Rugby side the Melbourne Rebels

Not joining till after the rebels super rugby season is over

www.connachtrugby.ie/connacht-secure-sig...ad-of-201819-season/

Connacht Rugby are delighted to announce the signing of back row Colby Fainga’a from Australian Super Rugby side the Melbourne Rebels. The 27-year-old made his Super Rugby debut playing for the Brumbies when Andy Friend was their Head Coach in 2010 and went on to play every game for the club in the 2011 season.

In 2014 Fainga’a joined the Rebels and in his first season was awarded the highest honour in the club when he was named the Players’ Player of the year. This achievement was followed by his appointment as co-captain of the Melbourne Rising side in 2015.

The versatile back row has gone on to make 100 Super Rugby appearances, the latest coming in the Rebels clash with the Reds last weekend.

At international level, Fainga’a captained the Australian Under 20s side in 2011 and made 7 appearances that season.

Commenting on Connacht’s latest signing, Connacht Head Coach Andy Friend said: “We are delighted to announce the signing of Colby Fainga’a ahead of the new season. When I was Head Coach at the Brumbies, Colby signed his first professional contract with the club, so I have an in-depth knowledge of the qualities he brings. With 100 Super Rugby appearances under his belt, Colby brings massive experience. In addition to his versatility on the field he has a fantastic attitude off it and will be a big addition to Connacht in the seasons ahead.”

Fainga’a will join up with the squad on the conclusion of the Rebels Super Rugby Season.

I had the most vivid dream last night that we signed Oliver Jager the Irish prop from the Crusaders for next season.
I know feck all about him which makes it more weird.

sea_point wrote:

BleedGreen wrote: Anyone know anything about Harley Fox? Is he still on the books? Does he have a chance of breaking through?

Looks like he was let go early....
Back in Queensland playing Premiers Rugby (THE HOSPITAL CUP) for Souths since April/May..Played Rnd 6 and then didn't make squad again until Rnd 14.
Shocking physical conditioning for a Pro Rugby player, (makes Thomas Waldrom look like Kate Moss...)

This image is hidden for guests.
Please log in or register to see it.

Wonder what he'd be like if he shifted the puppy fat, may get away with carrying it on hard Queensland pitches but not up NH....

The Courier-Mail wrote: May 9, 2018 2:45am

5. Thrown in the deep-end

After making his comeback to Queensland Rugby for Souths on the weekend — following stints with the Melbourne Rebels and Connacht in Ireland — former Australian Schoolboy captain Harley Fox was called into the starting XV at late notice.

The No. 8 was also handed the kicking tee with regulars Quade Cooper and Jason Hofmeyr ruled out.

Having not had handled the kicking duties since high school at Anglican Church Grammar, the backrower had a fair crack with the boot but the Magpies finished the match with only four conversions from 11 tries, leaving 14 points on the field.

Fox will be happy to welcome back Hofmeyr to the fray at Yoku Road this weekend.

www.couriermail.com.au/sport/rugby/premi...1f58cb0da6f9c081a8d2

He obviuously didnt get any conversion kicking lessons off John Muldoon

BleedGreen wrote: Anyone know anything about Harley Fox? Is he still on the books? Does he have a chance of breaking through?

Looks like he was let go early....
Back in Queensland playing Premiers Rugby (THE HOSPITAL CUP) for Souths since April/May..Played Rnd 6 and then didn't make squad again until Rnd 14.
Shocking physical conditioning for a Pro Rugby player, (makes Thomas Waldrom look like Kate Moss...)


Wonder what he'd be like if he shifted the puppy fat, may get away with carrying it on hard Queensland pitches but not up NH....

The Courier-Mail wrote: May 9, 2018 2:45am

5. Thrown in the deep-end

After making his comeback to Queensland Rugby for Souths on the weekend — following stints with the Melbourne Rebels and Connacht in Ireland — former Australian Schoolboy captain Harley Fox was called into the starting XV at late notice.

The No. 8 was also handed the kicking tee with regulars Quade Cooper and Jason Hofmeyr ruled out.

Having not had handled the kicking duties since high school at Anglican Church Grammar, the backrower had a fair crack with the boot but the Magpies finished the match with only four conversions from 11 tries, leaving 14 points on the field.

Fox will be happy to welcome back Hofmeyr to the fray at Yoku Road this weekend.

www.couriermail.com.au/sport/rugby/premi...1f58cb0da6f9c081a8d2

He was released towards the end of last season

Anyone know anything about Harley Fox? Is he still on the books? Does he have a chance of breaking through?

Think Conor Hayes has been picked up from Munster.

connachta wrote: No except he's not offered a deal with Leinster Academy and is good enough to be given a chance with us...

Fair enough, I wouldn't be surprised if it happened. We were apparently looking at Sean O'Brien 3.0 and a few others from the JWRC who didn't get academy deals. I didn't get to watch much u20 rugby at all this year so I don't have an opinion on Sullivan, powerful but very raw seems to be the consensus.