Rugby: Halfback Fulton to be based in Wellington

The Wellington Rugby Football Union has scored a minor coup with the signing of former Canterbury and North Harbour halfback Billy Fulton.

Fulton, who played three games for the Highlanders in this year's Super 12, is easily Wellington's highest-quality recruit in what has been a busy transfer period for the province.

Wellington lost wing Brad Fleming to Otago, fullback Shannon Paku to Auckland and lock Dion Waller to Japan, but replaced Waller with Counties-Manukau's Kristian Ormsby and Fleming with Southland's Kuka Asolupe.

Justin Wilson, bought after he was cut by Auckland, can cover fullback and wing, while former Bay of Plenty prop Josh Heke was brought in to bolster the front row after a stint with Counties-Manukau.

Wellington are expected to lose Samoan loosehead prop Kas Lealamanua and Tongan tighthead prop John Pale for the second half of the 2003 NPC because of the World Cup.

However, Lealamanua may head overseas before that after he was surprisingly left out of the Hurricanes squad.

Lock Milton Ngauamo is also considering his future and is expected to be in the Tongan squad for the World Cup.

WRFU executive Malcolm Holmes was confident there was sufficient depth at prop with Tim Fairbrother, Heke and former Super 12 prop Tony Coughlan.

Fulton is a fine acquisition

- NZPA