Cardiff Blues re-sign former Hurricane

Midfielder Rey Lee-Lo received an extra gift on Christmas Day – a contract extension with the Cardiff Blues, the team he joined in 2015 after a stint with the Hurricanes in Super Rugby.

“I’ve loved my time here so far – we have a great squad and my family are really happy in Cardiff, so it was an easy decision to make,” he said.

“I’m enjoying my rugby and we have so many exciting, attacking players. The style we try to play really suits me, especially on the Arms Park, which is an amazing place to play.

The Samoan international has scored nine tries in 57 games for the Blues and won the player of the season award in 2016-17.

“I’m excited by the squad we’re developing, the players coming through and I’m confident we are heading in the right direction.

“I’m really grateful to everyone at Cardiff Blues for the opportunity and now I’m just looking forward to the future and improving as a team”

The Blues said Lee-Lo had attracted “widespread interest” from other sources but had been signed to an unspecified “long-term” deal.

“Rey has proved a brilliant addition since he arrived at Cardiff Blues and it is great to see how comfortable and happy he is here,” chief executive Richard Holland added.

“With more than 75 percent of our squad Welsh, and with so many promising youngsters coming through our academy, it is vital to have a strong core of overseas talent to supplement that and pass on their experience.

“Rey has been invaluable in that respect and we are thrilled he will remain at Cardiff Arms Park for years to come.”

Lee-Lo helped Cardiff to a 22-17 away win over the Dragons on Boxing Day, scoring the Blues’ second try after beating former Wales and British and Irish Lions five-eighth Gavin Henson on the outside.