ummm, wrote: So how is this going to work exactly?

The Super XV season has just started, is Clarke lining out for Chiefs at the moment? When will he cease to be a Chiefs players and become a Connacht player?

The Super XV final is August 3, so while he'll be available for day one of the league I'd home the aim would be to get him intergrated into the team for the first round of European fixtures, the guy can't play 15 months straight through wothout a break.

He is highly thought of in NZ - quote from article on Cheifs chances this season:

"Now the Chiefs think like winners, with a spirit epitomised by captain Craig Clarke, the sort of angular, sharp-edged, tireless worker who would have fitted seamlessly into any of the great Waikato sides from the amateur era.

Taking their cue from the captain, the Chiefs actually out-Crusadered the Crusaders in last year's semi, and the confidence from the title victory will make them even more dangerous."

link - www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/...-Chiefs-to-win-title

Lets hope he gets through this season unscathed and he is ready to go with us at the start of the new season

So how is this going to work exactly?

The Super XV season has just started, is Clarke lining out for Chiefs at the moment? When will he cease to be a Chiefs players and become a Connacht player?

columoc wrote: Wow, how did Leinster miss him! Kudos all round.....and we may still get Devin Toner

I seriously doubt that or do you know something we don't?

Wow, how did Leinster miss him! Kudos all round.....and we may still get Devin Toner

Delighted with that - by all accounts a great signing and a nice declaration of intent from Lam and Sears. There's a rumour going round that Dan Carter is looking for another stint abroad too - I guess it'd be nice to have a back up to Parks.....

Some signing! Kudos to all involved in this, a decent days work

This looks like a great signing, second row looks like it has gone from a position of relative weakness to strength thanks to these new signings. Another 7 and 10 (preferably a utility type) and we'll be pretty much set.

Porterbelly wrote: So was that worth waiting for??

By all accounts we got him from under Leinster's noses. An added bonus!!

Without any proof, there's no point in me telling all the Leinster I know about this, but if it's true, I'm delighted. Up yours Leinster

I didnt hear the Leinster bit but a great signing. Great for the club to be able to attract a top player and get him.
Lets hope they have one or two more in the pipe line.
The Sean Henry signing wasnt the best bit of business but the Clarke one is.

Over 70 Super Rugby caps! Impressive.

So was that worth waiting for??

By all accounts we got him from under Leinster's noses. An added bonus!!

I like the look of this signing. I was at the Leinster games in the RDS and all I kept hearing from the woman sitting in from of me was that we were getting Devin Toner next season. I was worried that this might be the replacement for Macca, but thankfully today I can breath a little easier with this latest signing.

I'm impressed. I see he's from Nikora's old school too. Is this Lam's handiwork I wonder?

I can't believe we got this guy! :ohmy: :ohmy: :ohmy: :ohmy: :ohmy: :ohmy:

I presume that Pat Lam had something to do with this. If this is the calibre of players we look to be signing going forward, I might see if I can get an offer on a 10yr season ticket for the Clan