Ulster sign Afoa as Hines leaves Leinster

ULSTER have propped up their front row options after yesterday announcing the signing of All Black John Afoa.

The 27-year-old Auckland Blues prop, who made his first international appearance against Ireland in the 2005 November series and has 27 caps, will link up with Brian McLaughlin’s side after the World Cup on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

Afoa will essentially replace South African BJ Botha, who will move to Munster in the summer, on the tight-head side of the Ulster scrum.

Ulster’s director of rugby David Humphreys, yesterday said Afoa’s signing represents a major coup for the province. “We have deliberately looked for high quality, international players in key positions and in John, we believe we’ve got it absolutely right.

Afoa has represented New Zealand at school, U19 and U21 levels. In 2003 he was part of the New Zealand side which won the U-21 World Championship.

Afoa said: “I’ve done my research and can’t help but be impressed at how the Ulster squad is developing.”

Leinster will lose Scottish international forward Nathan Hines to Clermont Auvergne next season.

The Australian born 34-year-old is in his second season with Leinster but will make the switch to the French Top 14 after the World Cup.

Hines previously spent four years with Perpignan, where he was part of the team that won the Top 14 final over Clermont in 2009.