The Scarlets have announced the signing of former Junior All Blacks star Taine Plumtree.
It represents a significant coup for the Welsh region, with the highly-rated Wales-qualified player on his way to Wales from Super Rugby.
WalesOnline first reported the move earlier this month, and the deal is now rubberstamped. The west Walians have worked tirelessly behind the scenes for months in a bid to persuade the the Swansea-born man to make Llanelli his home.
The transfer will get the interest of Wales coach warren Gatland, with the 23-year-old back-five forward long considered an international star of the future. He is the son of former Ireland and All Blacks coach John Plumtree and joins from Auckland Blues.
Having lost Blade Thomson, Tomas Lezana, Aaron Shingler and Sione Kalamafoni, the Scarlets are in desperate need of strengthening their pack and they believe Plumtree is the right fit for them. He is likely to figure prominently at number six next season.
Plumtree was selected for the World Junior Championships in 2019 - playing for the Baby Blacks against Wales in that tournament in Argentina - with his senior career beginning with Wellington in New Zealand’s provincial competition, the Mitre 10 Cup.
An athletic line-out forward and dynamic runner, Plumtree made his Super Rugby debut for the Blues in 2021 and has continued to impress for Wellington, scoring a hat-trick of tries in a game against Northland.
Scarlets Head Coach Dwayne Peel said: “Taine is an athletic, versatile forward who is able to play across the back row. We have been impressed by what we have seen of him with Wellington and when he has featured for the Blues in Super Rugby.
“He is a player of huge potential and we are excited for him to join the young generation of Scarlets who are coming through the ranks here.
“I am sure he will fit in well with the style of rugby we like to play and we’re looking forward to welcoming into the group ahead of the new season.”
Plumtree becomes the latest addition to the Scarlets squad for the 2023-24 campaign following the signings of Ioan Lloyd, Tomi Lewis, Alex Craig, Teddy Leatherbarrow, Charlie Titcombe and Efan Jones.
