All Blacks superstar Mils Muliaina signs to play US professional rugby

Former All Blacks full-back Mils Muliaina has signed to play in the first US domestic professional rugby union competition, which is set to begin in April.

Muliaina, 35 is currently contracted to Zebre in Italy, and a move to San Francisco was announced by PRO Rugby on Friday, a little over two weeks before the first round of fixtures kick-off.

San Francisco will open the competition at Sacramento on Sunday 17 April. Ohio are at Denver the same day, while San Diego will play for the first time the following weekend.

"I am delighted and looking forward to being part of rugby history in the States," said Muliaina, who had initially planned to go to the States purely to study to become a chiropractor.

"From initially just going to study at Life West Chiropractic College in San Francisco to now being able to continue to play rugby, I am grateful that pro Rugby and Life West Chiropractic have provided me the opportunity to do both."

Muliaina, Samoa-born, captained New Zealand three times, scoring 34 tries for the team and winning 100 caps. The second All Black to play 100 Tests - after Richie McCaw - he was part of the winning 2011 World Cup squad, his final Test being the quarter-final win over Argentina. In 2002 he also won a Commonwealth Games sevens gold medal.

Muliaina played Super Rugby for the Blues and Chiefs and he played for NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes in Japan, and for Connacht in Ireland. 

"We are delighted to bring Mils to the United States and look forward to seeing him in San Francisco's colours this spring," said PRO Rugby director of rugby Steve Lewis.

"He has a terrific track record and we are sure he will bring great knowledge and experience to both the league and our younger players in what are exciting times for American rugby."

Orene Ai'i, another Life West player and the former New Zealand Sevens representative will join Muliaini playing for the San Francisco team. The Springbok flanker Pedrie Wannenburg will play for Denver and Italy back Mauro Bergamasco will play for Sacramento.

The once-capped All Black prop Jamie Mackintosh will play for Ohi, and the Australian Union and League international Timana Tahu has signed for Denver.

Canadian and US internationals have also been signed by PRO Rugby. The majority of the playing base is drawn from the American club game. In the first Americas Rugby Championship a US squad drawn from club teams finished second, beating Canada and Chile, drawing with an Argentina XV and losing to Brazil and Uruguay.

"I'm excited to be able to play in the San Francisco Bay area and to work alongside and share my experience with some talented young players," said Muliaina on Friday.