Cardiff bolster their pack

Cardiff Blues have signed Fijian international prop forward Campese Ma'afu and 24-year-old blindside flank Robin Copeland from Rotherham, ahead of the new season
 
Born and raised in Australia to a Tongan father and a Fijian mother, Ma'afu has joined the Blues from West Harbour Pirates in Sydney.

The middle of three talented rugby brothers - older brother Salesi has represented Australia while younger brother Kuki has featured for Tonga at Sevens.

In 2010 the two brothers Salesi and Campese, squared off against each other in a test match between Australia and Fiji. Salesi played for the Wallabies at tighthead while his brother Campese played for Fiji at loosehead.

Ma'afu has gone on to win six caps for Fiji and featured against Wales in November 2010 when the match finished in a 16-16 draw.

Copeland possesses superb pace and has impressed many, scoring 11 tries in 20 games for the Rotherham Titans since joining from Plymouth last season. The highly rated former Leinster Academy player will add presence to the Blues loose trio next season.

Speaking of the signing, Cardiff Blues forwards coach Justin Burnell said: "A big thing for us as a region and a team is that we should be looking at a three year cycle of establishing a group of players that will be here to build for the future.

"Robin is a big physical boy with the ability to cross the gain-line but has the skills and finesse to put people in to finish via his decision making. He is 24-years-old and has been the outstanding player in the Championship this year.

"It's important that the player has the right attitude and mind set to fit into the environment. We went through that process and he ticked all the boxes.

"He might be and unknown quantity with the PRO12 but he will be a surprise package as well. He's a blindside flank and also covers second row, in a similar bill to Andries Pretorius, who also came in as an unknown quantity," added Burnell.

Speaking of the signing Ma'afu, Burnell added: "Campese Ma'afu came to my attention in the 16-all-draw against Wales. I thought he did well in the scrum in certain aspects against Adam Jones, who as we know, is one of the best tightheads in the world.

"To see him scrum in the World Cup and against New Zealand in the warm up games showed he's an exciting prospect," he said.