Taqele Naiyaravoro pens new deal with Northampton Saints

Northampton Saints have confirmed that winger Taqele Naiyaravoro has penned a new deal that will keep him with the Gallagher Premiership club for at least two more seasons.

Naiyaravoro joined Northampton Saints in 2018 and has made 28 appearances for the club since then including 21 Premiership games where he scored seven tries. He also had an impressive 2018/19 season with the Franklin's Gardens outfit where he scored 11 tries and also went on to beat a century of defenders in one league season which is a record.

“I’m over the moon to be signing on again with Saints. I’m very happy here in Northampton and the progress the squad has made over the last 12 months is really exciting," he told the official website of the Saints.

“I have moved around quite a lot during my career so far, but importantly my family have settled well in Northampton and we feel very much at home here.

 

“It’s amazing to think I have at least another two years ahead of me here at Franklin’s Gardens. I just hope I can repay all the faith the Club’s loyal supporters have shown in me with more good performances, plenty of tries, and hopefully some more trophies.

“We have a brilliant playing group, training environment, and coaches at Saints who have helped me so much, so I'm looking forward to seeing what the future holds in store for us.”

The 27-year-old enjoyed two stints with Super Rugby club Waratahs before joining Northampton Saints and also featured for Panasonic Wild Knights, Glasgow Warriors and Greater Sydney Rams.

Naiyaravoro made his Australia debut in 2015 and has played two Tests with his last appearance coming against England in a home series. He was also part of the Barbarians side that faced the Springboks in 2016 where he scored a try while setting up two more to earn the man of the match award.

"I’m thrilled that Taqele has re-signed with Saints – although no doubt there will be a few opposition defenders in the Premiership who won’t be so happy about the news," said Northampton Saints director of rugby Chris Boyd.

“It’s no secret that ‘Big T’ is a huge asset for us; his ball-carrying ability is almost second to none and we know he will create opportunities to score tries every match.

“He provides a point of difference for Saints and the people of Northampton love watching him play, so it’s fantastic he has bought in to our long-term aims here – I’m confident he will continue to improve in Black, Green and Gold.”