Pisi signing adds depth to Taranaki player pool

Taranaki rugby's recruitment drive for outside backs took another step yesterday with confirmation of the signing of Auckland Blues utility George Pisi.

The latest signing for the 2010-11 seasons follows the recruitment late last year of Kurt Baker and Andre Taylor, Manawatu team-mates and specialist outside backs.

Pisi, 23, has been a regular fixture at centre or fullback for North Harbour for the past five years.

He also has three years' Super 14 experience playing at wing and fullback for the Blues.

A Samoan, Pisi missed the 2009 Super 14 to have shoulder reconstruction surgery and came off contract with North Harbour at the end of last season.

"It is a big move after celebrating 50 caps with Harbour last year, however I'm confident I am making the right decision," Pisi said yesterday.

Pisi said it was the right time in his career to take on new challenges.

A factor in his decision to sign for two years with Taranaki was the pull of head coach Colin Cooper and his management staff.

"I know I have a lot to learn from Coops and a lot to give the team. I can't wait to get started in Taranaki," Pisi said.

Cooper yesterday described his new signing as a quality, proven player, one he would have liked to have signed for the Hurricanes.

"The Blues obviously had first rights to him and, as it is, it has worked out that he's come off contract with North Harbour and wants to come to Taranaki, which is great."

Cooper said Pisi ticked a lot of boxes – he was young, versatile and his defence was outstanding.

"He's a good buy."

Cooper said Pisi's signing, together with the ones already announced for the upcoming season and beyond, all went towards giving the Taranaki squad greater depth.

"If you can get quality depth and you can get competition with local players it brings the best out of players."

The planned national provincial championship change next year to a top seven, second seven format made it all the more vital for the team to perform well in this year's Air New Zealand Cup, Cooper said.

He said his aim was to find a balance of outside players and local talent in his squad for 2009.

"I don't think you can bring a whole lot of outsiders in or just have your own local players."

Cooper is not ruling out further players being signed from outside the province this year.

"You'll just have to wait and see. It's a matter of who is available, who is off contract, [which] players want to come here and [whether] the union can financially afford them."

- © Fairfax NZ News