Quentin Signs : Wed Nov 24, 2010 10:20 am
SHEFFIELD Eagles have signed Samoan international Quentin Laulu-Togagae after a two-year chase.The try-scoring back joins the Eagles from top Brisbane club Souths Logan Magpies who finished top of the Queensland Cup competition last season.
"I've been on this project for a couple of seasons but it will be worth it," said coach Mark Aston. "This is a massive signing for us. He's an exciting, quality player, who has a lot of skill and scores tries."
Laulu-Togagae - nicknamed 'Q' in Australia - has agreed a two-year contract with Eagles.
At Souths and for Samoa he plays full-back, which sets a poser for Aston with Misi Taulapapa established in that position at the Eagles.
Aston hints at a possible switch to stand-off as a replacement for Brendon Lindsay who has returned to Australia.
"His best position is probably full-back but when you have a quality player what does it matter what number he has on the shirt? Quentin can play wing, centre or half-back," said Aston.
"Quentin has flair and skill. He will score a lot of tries for us next season and defensively he takes great positions and is quick enough to get across and stop anyone."
Aston first made a move to sign him in 2008 but the player lacked the international qualifications to gain a UK visa.
Those problems were cleared when he played for Samoa in their last two internationals.
Aston said: "He will be here after Christmas with his family - his wife and a young son. All the paperwork is done at our end and he just has to go now and get a visa for the UK."
Laulu-Togagae, 26 on December 1, is in the top ten top try scorers in the Queensland league's history and the 5ft 9ins player has attracted the attention of clubs in the NRL - Australia's Super League