Wallaby hooker ready for “ugly stuff” at London Irish

New London Irish hooker Saia Faing’a has opened up on his move to the club and has told the fans he is ready to do the “ugly stuff” to help the club “prosper” in the Premiership.
Fainga’a, aged 30, has been capped 36 times for the Wallabies and has a Super Rugby Medal in his collection. He is one of ten signings for newly promoted Irish, who regained their Premiership status with a comfortable aggregate victory over Yorkshire Carnegie in the Championship Play- off Final.
It is set to be a difficult campaign for the Exiles, with Worcester, Gloucester, Newcastle and Sale, who all finished towards the bottom of the pile last year making significant strides already this pre-season.
“I’m probably well known for my tackling ability and turning over the ball at the breakdown as well as my strengths at the set –piece,” said Fainga’a.
“I like to do the ugly stuff well and impose myself with big hits and give the guys in the backs the perfect platform.
“I’m really excited to be joining London Irish and I’m moving to a club that has great culture and many years of success in its long history.
“Hopefully I can improve the team and help the club progress. Watching the club lift the Championship Trophy has me hungry for the club to prosper in the Premiership.
“I’ve had conversations with Nick and a big focus of his was to instil a winning culture throughout the club and to do whatever it takes to be successful.”
Fainga’a comes from a talented rugby family. |His twin brother Anthony has also appeared for Wallabies and he also has two younger brothers – Vili, a Tongan international and Colby who is also former Brumbie.
Saia started off his career with the Brumbies academy and made 27 appearances for the first team before signing for the Reds in 2009. In a seven-year stint for the Queensland franchise he made 99 appearances and played an important role in the 2011 Super Rugby Championship winning season.
He made his debut for the Wallabies in 2010 when he was selected as first choice hooker in Tri-Nations series against New Zealand and South Africa. He is expected to start life in England next month.
Irish will face a tough European Challenge Cup campaign this year, featuring in a pool with champions Stade Francais while the Premiership fixtures will be announced on July 7.
Fainga’a added: “I’m sure things will start to feel more real for the club when the fixtures come out, I’m sure the supporters will be getting ready to plan their weekend trips and days out”.
“I have watched London Irish You Tube Videos and you can see how passionate the fans are and that really excites me.”
JAMES LARSSON