News
Bath land League ace Hape
May 26 2008
Bath have announced that New Zealand Rugby League star Shontayne Hape has signed on a three-year contract from the start of next season.
The prolific centre, who has been capped 14 times by the Kiwis, will join the European Challenge Cup winners for pre-season training in July.
The 26-year-old has taken the Super League by storm since joining the Bulls in 2003, scoring 83 tries in 130 appearances to date and collecting league winners titles in 2003 and 2005 and a Challenge Cup winners medal in 2003.
"I expect Shontayne will be a success at Bath," said Head Coach Steve Meehan.
"He has a rugby background so is no stranger to the game and the ELVs that are being introduced next season will suit his skills and athleticism.
"He has played NRL, Super League and internationally for New Zealand, so is used to the pressure and demands that surround the top end of sport. He arrives without fanfare or fuss and will go about winning the respect of his club mates as he works hard at being the best he can be."
Hape, who was selected for New Zealand's Tests against Great Britain in October and November 2007, was also instrumental in the Kiwis' Tri Nations series victory in 2005 and has been a mainstay of the Bradford team in recent seasons.
However, Hape believes that the time is right for a change and is looking forward to playing the 15-a-side version of the game with a club that he feels has the ability to scale the heights both domestically and in Europe for many seasons to come.
"I am really excited about making the change in my career and it is a great opportunity to move to one of the biggest clubs in the country," explained Hape.
"The club has tremendous potential and I really like their style of play which I feel suits me as a player and I think it will help me adapt to the new code. It will be a learning curve, but Bath has everything to help me get to grips with the new rules and achieve success. I am keen to get into training as soon as possible so that I can win that Bath shirt.
"The added bonus for me is the opportunity to live in a wonderful city like Bath. I am very much looking forward to beginning the next exciting chapter in my career."