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Viliami Taulani joins Harlequins from Waikato Chiefs

Viliami Taulani has signed for Harlequins

Harlequins have announced the signing of Tongan international forward Viliami Taulani from Waikato Chiefs.

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The powerful back-rower joins directly after facing the All Blacks and Samoa in July.

Taulani, who covers the back and second row, featured twice for the Chiefs during their 2021 campaign, playing in the Super Rugby Aotearoa competition.

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John Kirwan on the Bledisloe Cup

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John Kirwan on the Bledisloe Cup

The 24-year-old who is 6ft 3 and weighs 118kg, was also a member of the Counties Manakau 2020 Mitre 10 Cup squad, having played for the side on 19 occasions since 2016.

Taulani said: “I’m stoked to be joining Harlequins, the 2020/21 Premiership Champions. Coming from a small nation like Tonga, there were very few opportunities to live out my dream. I have had awesome opportunities in New Zealand, having played for Counties Manukau since 2016 and with the Chiefs in the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa competition.

“However, I am looking forward to meeting new teammates, developing my skills from a fantastic coaching setup, getting the chance to play in Premiership, and the opportunities that being part of Harlequins will bring for myself and my family.

“Quins are a world-famous team with a clear culture and identity. I’m excited to become part of that and put my best foot forward. I’m looking forward to working under Tabai Matson again, too. Tabai is a great coach and someone I know will help Quins to go to the next level.”

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Welcoming the explosive back-row, Senior Coach Tabai Matson said: “It’s great to welcome Viliami to Harlequins. He is a player I came to know during my time in New Zealand and has a great ability to put his team on the front foot.

“He is a guy that plays some abrasive rugby and will fit in well with how we like to do things at Harlequins. We’re looking forward to seeing him play the Harlequins Way.”

 

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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