Aviva Premiership
Falcons sign Van der Heijden
ESPNscrum Staff
November 9, 2010
Andrew Van der Heijden of Auckland fends off Canterbury's Tyson Keats, Auckland v Canterbury, Air New Zealand Cup, Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, August 8, 2009
Andrew Van der Heijden fends off Canterbury's Tyson Keats whilst playing for Auckland © Getty Images
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Newcastle Falcons have announced the signing of former Auckland and Blues lock Andrew Van der Heijden.

The 26-year-old Kiwi will arrive in the coming weeks and staying with the Falcons until the end of the 2011-12 season. The 6ft 7 and 18 stone was a regular for Auckland in their charge towards the ITM Cup semi-finals, but was sidelined for the knock-out stages after fracturing an arm.

Falcons head coach Alan Tait said: "Andrew has proven quality in a tough environment over in Auckland, as well as Super 14 experience with the Blues. He is a big physical presence at the set piece, a leader and somebody who will add a huge amount for us in the pack.

"At 26 he's at a great age, he's been outstanding in the ITM Cup this season and he brings outstanding work rate along with a superb line out brain. Andrew's signing comes on the back of the new investment we have had into the club, which is great news for us and our supporters.

"The board are right behind me in terms of bolstering the squad and adding quality in key areas, but it has to be the right character and we won't be adding just for the sake of it."

Van Der Heijden is expected to be back in full training in a few weeks and Tait admits that the Kiwi's arm injury came as an untimely blow: "He broke his radius in the win over Tasman, and it's just our luck at the moment that we get him signed up and he picks up an injury."

"We've been in very close contact with the medical team over there, we've assessed the scans thoroughly and we're confident that he will be a great addition to the squad," added Tait.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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