Bath announce Robbie Fruean signing

Bath have strengthened their backline further with the signing of Wellington born centre Robbie Fruean.

The 28-year-old will join the Aviva Premiership after the completion of his commitments with Hawke's Bay in the ongoing Mitre 10 Cup. The Napier based club is currently languishing at the bottom of the table and is unlikely to make it to the playoff which means Fruean will be available for Bath at the end of October.

Fruean has also enjoyed a couple of stints with the Canterbury Crusaders and has worked closely with Todd Blackadder and Tabai Matson, who are currently the rugby director and head coach respectively at Bath.

Fruean also led New Zealand to Under19 Rugby World Championship win in 2007 which won him the IRB Under-19 Player of the Year award.

"We are really excited that Robbie has agreed to join us here at Bath," said Bath rugby director Blackadder.

"Tabai (Matson, Bath head coach) and I know him very well from his time at the Crusaders, and he is the kind of player we know will fit right in with the squad we have here, both on and off the field."

Fruean stated that his immediate focus will be on the Mitre 10 Cup and hopes his stint with Bath will take his career to the next level.

"Whilst my focus for the time being is still on the Mitre 10 Cup with Hawke's Bay, I'm really looking forward to getting over to Bath and getting started," said Fruean.

"It will be a new challenge for me, the Aviva Premiership is such a tough league, but Bath have had a good start, and I know that being over there and competing in it will bring out the best in me."

Bath are currently placed third in the Aviva Premiership table after winning three out of their four games so far.