Top 14 Orange
Bayonne sign Lauaki and Tialata
ESPNscrum Staff
May 16, 2011
Clermont No.8 Sione Lauaki takes on the Bourgoin defence, Clermont Auvergne v Bourgoin, Top 14, Stade Marcel Michelin, Clermont-Ferrand, France, January 02, 2011
Sione Lauaki has signed for Bayonne © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Sione Lauaki | Neemia Tialata
Tournaments/Tours: Top 14 Orange

Bayonne have bolstered their ranks for next season by capturing All Blacks Sione Lauaki and Neemia Tialata.

The 29-year-old Lauaki, primarily a No.8, has signed a three-year deal and makes the switch from Bayonne's Top 14 rivals Clermont Auvergne, where he has spent the last season.

"I'm a competitor, Bayonne are an ambitious club, I want to help them to continue to evolve," Lauaki said.

Tialata, who is able to prop both sides of the scrum, will move north from the Hurricanes on a two-year deal with an option of a third.

Capped 43 times by the All Blacks, the 28-year-old has fallen out of favour at international level and played his last Test in June 2010.

His Rugby World Cup hopes have been hindered by the emergence of the Franks brothers, Owen and Ben, and the recent form of the Crusaders' Wyatt Crockett.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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