DRAGONS SWOOP IN FOR CHAVHANGA

From Dragon's website

Newport Gwent Dragons have signed South African flyer Tonderai Chavhanga



Newport Gwent Dragons have brought more star quality into their back line with the signing of South African international Tonderai Chavhanga from the Lions in South Africa.



The 27 year old wing was born in Zimbabwe and has a prolific scoring ability – holding the current South African record for the number of tries scored in one game after crossing the line 6 times against Uruguay on his international debut back in 2005.



Thought by many to be the fastest man in world rugby, Chavhanga will bring a fantastic turn of pace to the Men of Gwent.



“It’s a great signing for the Dragons,” said Head Coach Darren Edwards. "We wanted a player to further develop our counter-attacking and backfield play.



"We’ve made no secret that our Style of rugby is attacking play and Tonderai’s pace and counter-attacking ability really stands. This signing will breathe even more excitement into our squad and our supporters.



“Tonderai’s got a great deal to offer the region, not only immediately but also for the future. Despite his experience (8 years in the Super 12 and a capped Springbok) Tonderai’s still only 27 and has a great deal of ambition for the game. He will also be using his experience to support and develop our young home-grown backs.”



Chavhanga is due to arrive in Gwent tomorrow and is hoped to be available for the Dragons home clash against Ulster a week on Friday.



“After the weekend to settle in and check in with our conditioning team, it’ll be straight into full training on Monday morning with the rest of the squad,” added Edwards.



“I am very, very excited about going to the Dragons,” said Chavhanga. “It’s something I’ve been looking to do for the last couple of years. I’ve played a few games in the Europe and although it’s pretty cold but I’m looking forward to the change!



And it wont’ be the first association with the Men of Gwent for the South African speedster.



“I remember playing against the Dragons back in 2005. The Stormers played against them in Dubai and with Percy (Montgomery) was playing for the Dragons at the time.”

Do you need a winger? Seems like you've bought in an area that Dragons are actually quite strong. Surely a centre should have been priority instead of Riley.

Great signing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV8VXwYSFiA


NICE

red_stag wrote:Do you need a winger? Seems like you've bought in an area that Dragons are actually quite strong. Surely a centre should have been priority instead of Riley.

We are missing Brew to world cup, Will Harries to Injury and our new winger to a shoulder injury who may possibly need surgery.

Adam Hughes has been covering wing but we really need him back in the centre.


What we also really need is a decent couple of props.

Well Tuilangi is a done deal so there's our centre. I think this is a good signing, we need to keep Brew and Harries on there toes. Also we have lost a lot of our wingers to injury and Brews in the WC.

My only concern is that he hasn't played for a while due to injuries and all the highlight videos we see are from pre 2008.

Here's his interview:
http://www.ruggavibe.com/page/rvtv/1034840-RVTV-Tondi-heads-to-Wales#.TnnrZ-yoZI4

Good signing, but is he injury prone (really fast players can tend to be)
I disagree with red_stag, I actually think they needed another quality wing in the same class as Brew.

I've watched Dragons play and on more than one occasion, they never pass to the other wing if Brew is on, it always goes to Brews side. but now with a speedster on th eother wing they may lanch attacks from either wing.

Looks like he could be a real asset but I'm worried that
1- he's injury prone
2- if he's so good why didn't a big club get him
3- why did it take so long

Still, the YouTube vids look quality and he could be a crowd favourite.

What a quality backline we could field
Evens, Tovey, brew, smith/Tuilagi, Hughes, chav/harries,Thomas.

Sadly on Friday it could be
Bedford, Tovey, pewtner, smith, leach, Thomas, jones

Good signing thank you again Mr Brown, things coming together nicely at the Dave

youngguns, wou can't say

"What a quality backline we could field"

and then have Smiths name there

Good signing, the sort that Dragons need to make the most of.

Is Hughes really a centre? I thought he was used on the wing all of last season and has scored all of his tries there.

Sounds like a good signing for the Dragons, but as said above if he is the fastest rugby player in the world and is that good, then why hasn't anyone else gone in for him? If you get Tuilagi then thats a really good back line, just need some good youngsters to come through to offer some competition and you'll scare a lot of teams

Hughes is traditionally an Inside Centre. He played on the wing last year as it gave him experience of League Rugby. I think the plan is to revert him back there at some point.

I've got my doubts about this one. Half the season will probably be played in poor running rugby conditions. I'm not sure if thats going to produce his best rugby.

We are desperate for a good Tighthead. Surely with the money they could save on Castle, Hall, Coundley & Robinson they could buy one good one to help aid Way's development?

hmm the Draogons signing a Springbok, sounds great...
But he has only played 32 games in 8 years in the super 15, and has 4 South African caps, with 6 tries coming against Uruguay.

Apparently he can do the 100m in 10.5 seconds so all the Dragons need to do is give him the ball when it isn't raining!
Oh wait he is coming to Wales isn't he?

I can't see there being much competiton for his signature at 12 and a half stone, he might be a bit lightweight for English and French rugby.

I agree with the post with regards to signing a centre. Apart from the forums, I haven't heard anything about Tuilagi definitely signing - anyone got solid proof?

Just hope this winger does a decent job!!

Welshmushroom- he's more of a 13 than an inside centre. Hasn't had much Ida chance with injurys but he could be a very very good player.

What's wrong with smith ? Good leader, solid defender, very good hands and he can kick. (I happen to think he's underused as a creative 12)

Still think we need and should of strengthend at T/Head and 2nd row

We'd be lucky to pick up a tighthead anywhere. Better teams than us struggle as well. A second row, well Adam Jones and Scott Morgan are abrasive enough to play alongside Long Dog, so I'd rather sign a 12. who can carry. Even Andy Tuilagi would do for me, whenever that finally gets announced.

Where are we on Tuilage Rev any news, he's been signing fo what seems an age now but nothing official.

Agree Jones has impressed eary on this season and love him or hate Sid can still do a back up job when Luke and Scott are out.

T/heads are admittedly like hens teeth

Pretty sure Tullagi is in the Uk now and is a done deal

munkian wrote:Pretty sure Tullagi is in the Uk now and is a done deal

The rumour I saw on the Dragons face book page was he has signed but has changed his mind about coming.

That's shoite if true. Can we sign that huuuuge Japanese player Please ?

munkian wrote:That's shoite if true. Can we sign that huuuuge Japanese player Please ?

Sign the Pontypool number 8 from the Gwent derby today, he was a monster and bigger than all the locks on the field, looked like a beast!

Sign James Hook brother too, the Pontypool defence coach because he seems to be running things at Pooler, every time the head coach was thinking of making a decision he was running it by "Hookie"!
It;s quite interesting when you have a head coach behind you and you can hear the conversations he is having with the staff at the side of the field.