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Wasps sign ex-All Blacks World Cup winner Malakai Fekitoa after Nathan Hughes and Willie le Roux exits

The 24-cap New Zealand international will join Wasps from Toulon in the summer

Jack de Menezes

Wednesday 16 January 2019 12:14 GMT

Malakai Fekitoa will join Wasps from the start of next season (Getty)

Wasps have signed Rugby World Cup-winning centre Malakai Fekitoa from French side Toulon, with the former New Zealand international expected to join the Premiership side ahead of the new season.

The 26-year-old scored eight tries in 24 appearances for the All Blacks, which included featuring in the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England as he helped Steve Hansen’s side to retain their world crown.

He remained in the international set-up until the end of the British and Irish Lions tour of 2017, when he decided to leave his homeland and pursue a lucrative move to France with Toulon, who he has represented for the last two years.

“I am very excited to make the move to the Ricoh Arena next season,” Fekitoa said after Wasps announced his signing on Wednesday.

“Wasps are a team that play an exciting brand of rugby and are very ambitious. Hopefully I can help them push forward and achieve silverware in the next few years.”

The news will be welcomed by fans who saw the club announce that both No 8 Nathan Hughes and full-back Willie le Roux will leave at the end of the season, with the former moving to Premiership rivals Bristol Bears on a three-year deal and the latter pursuing a move to Japan.

“Malakai is a world-class player with bags of talent,” added Wasps director of rugby Dai Young. “He’s a proven player at the top level and to bring someone of his calibre to Wasps is a massive coup for the club.

“We’re very much looking forward to welcoming him to the Ricoh in the summer where he will no doubt bring vital experience and know-how which will be of great benefit to some of our younger players.”

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

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1/15Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Cian Healy (Ireland)

Rolled back the years to his very best form and the sight of him leaving the field against New Zealand completely exhausted demonstrated just how much he gave to Ireland’s caused. Has ended any doubts over who the best current loosehead in Ireland is once and for all.

Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Ken Owens (Wales)

The most consistent hooker throughout the autumn, both in performance and in selection. Strong showings against Australia and South Africa that both resulted in victories saw him clinch the shirt with relative ease.

Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Kyle Sinckler (England)

Looks to be on the way to fulfilling his potential after a standout autumn, with the man-of-the-match performance against Australia being one of the best showings from an English tighthead we’ve ever seen. Could well become a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.

AFP/Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Maro Itoje (England)

The consistent figure in England’s second row that was hit by injury after injury. Overcame a difficult start against the Springboks to star in the near-miss against New Zealand and the comeback victory over Japan. Is growing into a real leader of the pack as he took control of the lineout against Australia with huge success.

AFP/Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)

The best player in the world right now and it was his domination of the English lineout that helped secure the comeback victory at Twickenham. Unlucky to be on the losing side against Ireland but overall it was a strong series from the towering lock.

REUTERS

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Peter O’Mahony (Ireland)

Phenomenal performance against the All Blacks saw him hobble off the pitch to a standing ovation. A crucial figure in the lineout against Argentina too and he is developing into a new talisman for the Irish.

AP

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Ellis Jenkins (Wales)

Two brilliant showings against Tonga and South Africa on either side of the back-row. His performance against the Springboks was phenomenal, with a line-break to set up Tomas Francis for a try and a try-saving tackle on Jesse Kriel, and we can only hope he makes a full recovery from the nasty knee injury he suffered at the end of the match.

AFP/Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Mark Wilson (England)

Came into the autumn as an unknown quantity and leaves having put himself firmly in the frame for England’s World Cup squad. Man of the match against South Africa in only his second start and provided some much-needed ball carrying against Australia that apparently England were lacking.

EPA

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Greig Laidlaw (Scotland)

May be off the radar playing in France but he is back to his best as Scotland’s first-choice No 9. Has looked lively all autumn and as reliable as ever kicking for goal to lift that responsibility off half-back partner Finn Russell.

PA

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Owen Farrell (England)

Say what you want about his controversial tackling technique that for some reason is going unpunished, but he offers so many match-defining moments that he has to feature in the side. Unsurpring mention for Johnny Sexton too, but his lack of game time compared to Farrell’s three-and-a-half outings sees Farrell take the shirt.

Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Jacob Stockdale (Ireland)

Part of a well-drilled team move to secure victory against New Zealand but his individual contribution cannot be ignored as he executed a perfect chip-and-chase to win the match for the Irish and inject them with a huge show of momentum ahead of the World Cup.

REUTERS

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Bundee Aki (Ireland)

The standout performer in an autumn that was difficult for a lot of inside centres. Ben Te’o and Hadleigh Parkes were also in the running and Damien De Allende was perhaps the most consistent, but Aki takes the spot with strong performances against the All Blacks and Italy.

PA

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Garry Ringrose (Ireland)

He is developing into a wonder player at international level, and is able to form strong partnerships with whoever is inside him as we saw when Robbie Henshaw was ruled out at late notice to see Aki come in inside him. Somewhat strangely the only player retained in the side to face the USA, but delivered with a virtuoso performance in playing a key role in Andrew Conway’s hat-trick.

AP

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

George North (Wales)

Looked like the wing of old at the start of the autumn and looks to be reaping the rewards of his move back to Wales and the National Dual Contract that came with it. Fully fit and firing at his best, it has been a joy to watch North get back into his stride this autumn.

Getty Images

Rugby internationals – team of the autumn

Israel Folau (Australia)

The superstar playing in one of the most average Australia teams we’ve ever seen. The finish for his first try against England was the sign of a special player that few others could replicate, while he was also mighty under the high ball throughout the autumn.

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Wasps still hope to hang on to England back Elliott Daly, who has been strongly linked with a move to Saracens in the summer despite being under contract for another season, while they released prop Matt Mullan last week due to injury and saw Jake Cooper-Woolley agree a move to sale Sharks, leaving the squad in need of reinforcement ahead of the new campaign.

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