Harlequins bring in English-qualified No9 from North Harbour

Harlequins have signed scrum-half Lewis Gjaltema from North Harbour ahead of the 2020/21 Gallagher Premiership season. The 22-year-old was a member of the Blues’ wider training squad in recent times, training alongside Harlequins and England centre Joe Marchant.

Gjaltema said: “I’m really excited to join Harlequins, meet a bunch of new teammates and get involved in what sounds like a good team and be part of something pretty cool. Coming over to Harlequins is a new challenge and a new opportunity, and I can’t wait to get over there.

“I had a Zoom call with Paul Gustard and he laid out Harlequins’ values, what they are trying to achieve and what they are about. To me, that just aligned perfectly with what I believe in and what I’m excited to be a part of. So when he sold me on that I couldn’t say no to coming. I’m looking forward to it.

James Ryan on captaining Ireland against England at Twickenham this weekend

James Ryan on captaining Ireland against England at Twickenham this weekend

“There is a really good crop of half-backs at Harlequins right now with Danny (Care), Martin (Landajo) and Scott (Steele), so there is an opportunity for me to learn off those guys, challenge them and just be part of making this club something really great.”

Gustard added: “We have been watching Lewis in the Mitre 10 Cup for a while where he has had many impressive performances. We signed Lewis some months ago and we are looking forward to seeing him link up with the squad over the next couple of months.

?? Comes from the same hometown club as @nick10evans.
??? Knows @JoeMarchant96 from the Blues.

? Lewis Gjaltema can't wait to get over here.

? https://t.co/LFnpmTAyE0 #COYQ pic.twitter.com/VUDnXPnb4p

— Harlequins ? (@Harlequins) November 18, 2020

“We have received excellent feedback on Lewis’s character and dedication to the game from the likes of Blues head coach Leon Macdonald and our own Joe Marchant, who spent time with Lewis within the Auckland Blues training squad.

“Lewis is a hard-working, English-qualified nine with a strong core skill set and has a demanding way about him with the forwards. Our fans will be looking forward to seeing him supplement the experience and challenge our talented group of scrum-halves already in place for a matchday spot.” 

The ex-England out-half is now in the Far East but he hasn't lost his wonderful gift for telling amusing stories at his own expense ? https://t.co/janWHyf3ox

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 18, 2020