Manawatu have Telea in their sights

Former Hurricanes Super 12 winger Alex Telea is being recruited by the Manawatu NPC second division rugby team.

Having completed the club season in Wellington, the tough wing was to join Manawatu subject to being approved by the Wellington Rugby Union as a loan player.
He has been brought in because Manawatu is almost bereft of experienced wingers.

Two midfielders played on the wing for Manawatu against Wanganui in their NPC opening match on Saturday -- Johnny Leota and Ben Trew. Ironically, they were two of Manawatu's better players.

Telea was in the original Hurricanes in 1996 and played 31 Super 12 games, scoring 15 tries.

Even at 33, his 93kg frame and aggressive running style have made him a threat whenever he has had the ball for Petone in Wellington club rugby this year.

His Super 12 career was ended with a severe knee patella injury when tackled by Blues and All Back wing Joeli Vidiri at Eden Park in 1999.

He played an NPC season with Southland in 2000 and represented Samoa in 1996-97.

He has also played in Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Japan and Britain.

In England last year he played for Coventry and was on loan with the Kenilworth club.

- NZPA