OSPREYS SIGN KIWI PAIR
Ospreys Regional Rugby have signed goal kicking full back Adrian Cashmore from NPC side Bay of Plenty on a two year contract. Cashmore has two All Blacks caps and has been a long term target for the region in its efforts to increase its strength in depth at full back. Adrian played for the Bay of Plenty against the 2005 British and Irish Lions.
The Ospreys are also pleased to confirm that they have signed also Damien Karauna (who is aged 30 years) on a contract initially running to the end of this season, with an option to extend for another year. Karauna stands at 1.78m, weighs 83kg and is a Utility Back who can play at wing, centre and full back. He has been brought into the squad primarily as cover for David Bishop who fractured his kneecap in our recent match against Munster. Karauna has played for the Wellington Hurricanes and Waikato Chiefs and was recently chosen for the New Zealand Sevens squad.
Ospreys Manager, Derwyn Jones said: “Adrian has pace and is an accomplished goal kicker and all round footballer who would have won a sackfull of All Blacks caps were it not for Christian Cullen. It is widely recognised in New Zealand that he would have had 10 years of international rugby were it not for Cullen and his quality and ability is exceptional. He an excellent professional and I am sure our younger players will learn a lot from him.”
Jones is clearly excited about the signature of Karauna: “Damien has been a star of the New Zealand Sevens circuit for a number of years. He has Super 12 experience with the Hurricanes and Chiefs and he comes to Wales with a reputation as a skilled and exciting player. He is excited about joining us and he is eager to succeed in northern hemisphere rugby.”
