Rugby: Newport expected to announce Tonu'u signing

Newport are expected to announce the signing of former New Zealand All Blacks scrum-half Junior Tonu’u today.

The Black and Ambers have moved quickly after South African superstar Joost van der Westhuizen snubbed them in controversial fashion earlier this month.

Newport had agreed a one-year deal with the Springboks, but it collapsed when he chose to remain in South Africa and build towards World Cup 2003 instead.

Club chief executive Keith Grainger slammed van der Westhuizen’s tactics, yet attention then switched to recruiting a replacement, especially with the Heineken Cup registration deadline set for tomorrow.

Tonu’u, who played for New Zealand in both Tests during England’s 1998 tour, had been on London Irish’s books.

He watched Newport lose to Celtic League opponents Connacht on Tuesday night, having already trained with the Gwent outfit, and a press conference has been called for this morning.