Cashmore and Karauna join Ospreys in Wales

Bay of Plenty and former All Blacks fullback Adrian Cashmore has signed a two-year deal to play for Welsh side Ospreys in the Celtic League.

Cashmore, 32, has also played for Auckland, the Blues and the Chiefs as well as a stint with Toyota in Japan, before returning to New Zealand last season to re-join his first province Bay of Plenty, and the Chiefs.

Ospreys regional rugby manager Derwyn Jones welcomed the signing of two-test All Black Cashmore. "Adrian has pace and is an accomplished goal kicker and all-round footballer who would have won a sackful of All Blacks caps were it not for Christian Cullen," he said.

"His quality and ability is exceptional. He is an excellent professional and I am sure our younger players will learn a lot from him."

The Ospreys have also signed former Hurricanes, Chiefs and New Zealand sevens player Damian Karauna. "He comes to Wales with a reputation as a skilled and exciting player," Jones said.

"He is excited about joining us and he is eager to succeed in northern hemisphere rugby."

A utility back, Karauna has also played in Japan and has been contracted by the Ospreys until the end of the season, with an option for another year.

The signings follow that of former All Black wing Jonah Lomu who last week signed a seven-month deal to play for the Cardiff Blues in a bid to rekindle his international career after a long illness and injury lay-off.

- NZPA