Aviva Premiership
Chiefs sign Naqelevuki
ESPNscrum
September 20, 2010
Stormers wing Sireli Naqelevuki launches into a tackle, Stormers training session, High Performance Centre, Belville, Cape Town, South Africa, May 5, 2010
Exeter-bound Sireli Naqelevuki launches into a tackle during a training session with the Stormers © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Sireli Naqelevuki
Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership
Teams: Exeter Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter has announced the signing of Sireli Naqelevuki. The 29-year-old Fijian, who can play on the wing or at centre, has been without a club since parting company with the Stormers earlier this year.

"We're very pleased to have Sireli on board," Baxter said. "We've been hoping to have him for some time, but with international players it can sometimes be a bit of a drawn out process. That said, he's here now and we're looking to get him up to speed as quickly as possible."

Indeed, Baxter believes his new arrival, who was paraded around Sandy Park on Monday, is capable of making a big impact in the Aviva Premiership.

"We've watched a lot of him on tape playing in the Super 14 and at international level and you can see he has real quality, both in attack and defence, " he said. "He has a high work rate; he gets himself on the ball a lot in the game; and he's also a bit of an X-Factor player, who can make things happen out of nothing. I suppose he is something a bit different to what we are normally used to.

"I've already told him what we expect of him. Early doors we just want Sireli to work hard; get his head down and just get on with things. From talking to him already I'm pretty confident that will happen very quickly."

Naqelevuki, meanwhile, is thrilled with the move and, after taking in Saturday's stirring victory over Newcastle Falcons, he is looking forward to making his first appearance for his new employers.

"I'm very happy to be here," he said. "The set up at the club seems very good and I think it will be a very exciting season for me and the club.

"It's going to be a big challenge for me, but my aim is to train hard for a few weeks and, if I get my chance, give it my best shot. I have watched a lot of the Premiership on TV before coming here, so I know it will be a different type of game to what I am used to. I think, though, it will be good for me and my game to experience something different like this."

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