Treviso sign Willem de Waal.

thomond2006

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12334_6405342,00.html

Magners League new boys Treviso have bolstered their squad with the signing of South African fly-half Willem de Waal.

De Waal, who has Super Rugby experience with the Stormers and the Cheetahs, will team up with the Italians from Western Province at the end of the Currie Cup.

The 32-year-old has previously played in Europe after a season-long stint with French side RC Narbonne in 2007/8.

This will make them seriously competitive. The guy is an awesome goalkicker. From what I've read, he's very well thought of at Western Province.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zlQY6JU2js

Watch at 2:20.

outwest

treviso will not be an easy game for anyone.

i think they could make a surprising push for top 4 with their home form, might pick up an odd away win. be great for italian rugby

PhatPiggins

How pleased will Mallet be though that the 1/2 choice 10's at both clubs are foreign?

outwest

its a pity about the outhalf situation, but a strong treviso team would help boost rugby in italy,

and there very few outhalfs in italy that are good enugh,

porterbelly

De Waal is a cracking player, great signing for Treviso. They'll certainly improve with him at 10. Teams will think twice about giving away penaltes in their own half now against Treviso.

thomond2006

PhatPiggins wrote: »

How pleased will Mallet be though that the 1/2 choice 10's at both clubs are foreign?

Yeah it's a bit ironic that the two teams set up to improve the national side will be fielding 2 non-italian OHs. From Treviso's point of view, it's a fantastic signing. De Waal is quality. IMO if he was a bit younger he could have been a capped Bok.

Treviso will have some depth now, the incumbent fly-half Burton looks very good on the basis of his performance against Leinster. Also their scrum-half Botes has been excellent for them.

On another note, I'm disappointed that Aironi haven't made a better impact on the Magners. The results have to improve with the squad they have.

profitius

Good signing by Treviso. De Waal is a quality player.

thomond2006 wrote: »

On another note, I'm disappointed that Aironi haven't made a better impact on the Magners. The results have to improve with the squad they have.

I think the squad is the problem. They've some good players but theres a big drop off in quality from their best players to their other. I think they'll improve once they get a win though. Confidence must be drained after losing so many.

PhatPiggins

Aroni are a scratch team it was always going to take time for them to gel, I just hope they don't let the heads drop completely as the defeats pile up.

thomond2006

Aironi are playing Edinburgh at home this weekend who are resting a few players including Blair and Paterson. Big chance for them.

sock puppet

thomond2006 wrote: »

Yeah it's a bit ironic that the two teams set up to improve the national side will be fielding 2 non-italian OHs. From Treviso's point of view, it's a fantastic signing. De Waal is quality. IMO if he was a bit younger he could have been a capped Bok.

Steady on. This guy makes Morne Steyn look like Carlos Spencer.

CiaranMT

sock puppet wrote: »

Steady on. This guy makes Morne Steyn look like Carlos Spencer.

I think the qualifier in his comment was that from Treviso's point of view, it was a good signing. It's not international sides we're talkin about here!

sock puppet

CiaranMT wrote: »

I think the qualifier in his comment was that from Treviso's point of view, it was a good signing. It's not international sides we're talkin about here!

It was in response to the statement that he could have been a bok. He's perfect for Treviso.

CiaranMT

sock puppet wrote: »

It was in response to the statement that he could have been a bok. He's perfect for Treviso.

Ah, very true.