He looks to be good:

Northern United’s James So’oialo had a phenomenal year with the boot in 2010, kicking his way into the record books. So'oialo scored more points than the opposition on 16 occasions this season with a single season Wellington Senior club record tally of 282 points, and he could have reached 300 points if not for a knee injury that sidelined him for a couple of later games. Playing mostly on the wing but also at first five for five games, So’oialo scored 206 points in 11 Swindale Shield matches including 28 points against Tawa and another 76 in the Jubilee Cup. So’oialo didn’t just kick goals; he also scored 11 tries throughout the season making him Norths’ second highest try scorer behind Buxton Popoalii.

I know that Northern United aren't Super Rugby standard but he's also an International player for Samoa. I think Lam has got us a good acquisition here.

We signed him from Northern United so he couldn't have being that expensive and if you consider he's a Samoan International we probably got a good deal. While no Sinoti I think he's a good acquisition and one I'm happy about.

Ok thats the squad done, last update of this list sadly. going to copy and paste this list and edit it to the first post on the first page so it will be handy to find.


2016 - Clarke, Muldowney, Heenan

2015 - White, Loughney, Wilkinson, Marmion, Poolman, Buckley, george, harris wright
2015 - mckeon, kearney, henshaw, carr, henry, Cooney, Browne, McSharry, So’oialo

2014 - Tonetti, O'Donohoe, Faloon, Parks, Duffy, Griffin, O'Halloran, Muldoon, Swift,
2014 - Ah You, nikora, Healy, Ronaldson, F Murphy, B Murphy, Fifita

Development contracts - Dave Heffernan, Danny Qualtar, Aaron Conneely, James Rael (1),

2013 - Nolan

going/gone! - McCarthy (leinster), McCrea (jersey), Grace (New Plymouth Albion), Vainikolo (Exeter), Jarvis (Nottingham), TJ Anderson (Ealing Trailfinders RFC), Reynecke, Loxton, Moore, Gannon (unknown)

Retiring! - O'Connor, Flavin


props-- White, Loughney, Wilkinson, Buckley, Cooney, Ah You
hookers-- harris wright, henry, Heffernan, Rael
locks-- Swift, kearney, Clarke, Muldowney, Qualtar
6-- Muldoon, Browne
flanker-- Faloon, Conneely, Fifita, Heenan
8-- george, McKeon
scrum half-- Marmion, O'Donohoe, Murphy
out half-- parks, nikora, Ronaldson
wingers-- O'Halloran, carr, Poolman, Healy
centres-- Tonetti, McSharry, Griffin, Murphy, So’oialo
full backs-- Henshaw, Duffy

The hinternets tell me that he spent last year playing for Pays D'Aix, who just got relegated from Pro D2.

Ouch. And again, ouch.

On the plus side, he scored 77 of their 171 points.

Not a great line-breacker as Sinoti but :
- much younger
- seems to bring more defensive guarantees
- could play 9 to 15, especially centre
- can assume kicking duties from long distance, which is important beecause Parks is unreliable

A goal kicking utility back is just what the doctor ordered, if hes any good. In lam we trust!

Based on the two videos that I've just watched, expect lots of up and unders.
A threat from long range penalties, and a replacement scrum half if Marmion is in the tackle.

Other than that, I didnt see anything to get excited by. A good bench player, as he can cover lots of positions.

That's our squad complete anyway. Time to start planning a flight to France for October hopefully

So what's the story with Sinoti?

I know nothing about him that you lads haven't already read, but we didn't need another wing and we did need a decent utility back so this is a welcome signing. Lam obviously knows this lad well having worked with the Samoan set up recently, and from the looks of things we have a replacement for jarvis' big boot at the very least.

Wow!!! :ohmy: :lol: :woohoo: :woohoo:

Primarily a fullback but has extensive experience at centre, great goalkicker, has played in Japan and for Castres and Wellington.

salmson wrote: It is.... just announced James So’oialo.

Anyone know anything about him?

It is.... just announced James So’oialo.

swift4prez wrote:

Connacht Rugby ‏@connachtrugby 1m
Our new player signing will be announced before 12pm today and our squad for 2013/14 will be complete #FrontUpRiseUp

sinoti? disappointed thats all

Me too. I'm hoping its someone from left field

What is the point with this " build up of atmosphere" ? In 17 minutes we are going to announce.......

Why not wait another 17 minutes and announce properly.

Connacht Rugby ‏@connachtrugby 1m
Our new player signing will be announced before 12pm today and our squad for 2013/14 will be complete #FrontUpRiseUp

sinoti? disappointed thats all