Clermont seal deal for Chiefs’ Lauaki

FRENCH Top 14 title chasers Clermont have agreed a one-year deal with Chiefs loose forward Sione Lauaki.

The former New Zealand international, who has capped 17 times, previously played in France with Tours 10 years ago. However the 28-year-old will now join Clermont in July after spending the past six seasons playing in the Super 14 with the Chiefs.

“He’s a player that we’ve been following for a long time,” Clermont sporting director Jean Marc Lhermet told Midi Olympique.

“He wants to revive his career in France, and it is a great opportunity for the club to sign a player of the kind of calibre we are looking for.

Meanwhile, Argentina’s path towards inclusion in an expanded Tri-Nations rugby competition from 2012 was smoothed after the sport’s governing body approved a rule to help ensure the Pumas will be at full strength.

The International Rugby Board yesterday added a window in its calendar that facilitates the release of Argentine players for six matches in an eight-week span from late August through early October. At present, their clubs are only obliged to free them for the June and November Test windows.

The rule change marks a “major step” toward the Pumas joining the All Blacks, Springboks and Wallabies in a Four Nations competition. Securing its top stars was one of the conditions to Argentina’s entry in the championship.