Centre Ben Tapuai leaves Western Force to join Bath
Wednesday 2 November 2016 14:44, UK
Ben Tapuai has joined Premiership club Bath after being released by Super Rugby franchise Western Force.
The 27-year-old centre leaves the Force after just one season and will join up with Bath in the next couple of weeks.
Tapuai is a former Australia international and Western Force head coach Dave Wessels said: "Bath made a fantastic offer to Ben.
"That provided an opportunity to free up some money in the salary cap for us to explore a few other options."
Tapuai added: "I've been presented with a great opportunity at Bath and I think it's the right move for me at this stage in my career."
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According to the Bath website, Tapuai is an excellent distributor of the ball, with good kicking skills. He has played more than 70 matches in Super Rugby, while collecting seven caps for the Wallabies.
International Rugby Union
Director of Rugby, Todd Blackadder, explained: "We're really excited to have Ben join us. He's a really good all-rounder.
"It will be a great boost for us, and the experience he has of international and Super Rugby will bring a new way of looking at things, and will really help develop our young midfield players."
Bath have also confirmed the short-term signing of scrum-half Darren Allinson from London Irish to provide cover during the autumn internationals.
