Tamati Tua to join Exeter Chiefs ahead of 2024/25 season

Exeter Chiefs have announced the signing of former New Zealand Under 20 international Tamati Tua ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Tua will however miss the start of the Premiership season as he will be undergoing a surgery on his neck.

The 26-year-old made his professional rugby debut with provincial side Northland in 2016 and played three games for Super Rugby side Blues in 2018 and 2022 and made a switch to Brumbies ahead of the 2023 season.

He has made 31 appearances for the Australian side scoring five tries and had represented New Zealand Under 20 side five times in 2017.

“I’ve always wanted to play overseas, and I had heard good things about the club from coaches and boys that had played in the Premiership before," he told the club's official website.

“I’m excited to be here and I’d like to do what I can to help to get more trophies in the cabinet.”

Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter is pleased to have the services of Tua to the squad ahead of the new season.

"People will be aware that centre is a position that we’ve had great strength in over a number of years. Through age, and players moving on, that’s slowly changed in terms of experience.

"We’ve got some great young players in that position now with guys like Zack Wimbush, Ben Hammerlsey and Tommy Wyatt being able to play there, and a guy like Nick Lilley who has played England age-grades.

“So, we’ve got good players but they’re younger and slightly inexperienced, so it’s an area we’ve been wanting to strengthen. We had a really good look at Tamati as he was playing very well for ACT Brumbies – he played right through to the late stages of the season – with him being one of their stand-out players".