{"id":139213,"date":"2021-10-05T11:16:33","date_gmt":"2021-10-05T11:16:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=139213"},"modified":"2021-10-05T11:57:06","modified_gmt":"2021-10-05T11:57:06","slug":"waratahs-sign-manly-flyer-in-code-switch-gamble","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=139213","title":{"rendered":"Waratahs sign Manly flyer in code switch gamble"},"content":{"rendered":"

The rebuilding NSW Waratahs have taken an educated punt with the signing of Manly Sea Eagles outside back Tevita Funa on a one-year deal.<\/p>\n

The 23-year-old has played 16 NRL games and was named Manly's rookie of the year last season after scoring five tries in his 12 outings.<\/p>\n

But opportunities dried up in a strong Sea Eagles side this year and new Waratahs coach Darren Coleman pounced.<\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/p>\n

"First and foremost, he ticked all the boxes from the character checks that we did on him," said Coleman, who has taken the reins after NSW failed to win a game in 2021.<\/p>\n

"Tevita's a very dedicated and focused player which is really important.<\/p>\n

"As a player he's a good all-round package, he's a big body, tall and good in the air, good speed and great footwork.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Wallabies rookie tops player ratings from win over Argentina<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Resurgent Springboks stun All Blacks in 'instant classic' Test<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> The audacious moment that silenced 'boring Springboks' critics<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

"He's got a rugby background which should take him less time to adapt and coming out of a good program at Manly we know he'll fit in as a professional."<\/p>\n

Funa will also represent the Western Sydney Two Blues in the Shute Shield.<\/p>\n

The Waratahs have a long history of luring NRL players to their club with mixed results.<\/p>\n

\"NSW<\/p>\n

Israel Folau was a smash hit before his off-field issues but Tepai Moeroa failed to make an impact and has since returned to the NRL with the Melbourne Storm.<\/p>\n

"I'm really excited about the challenge of changing codes and the chance for a fresh start," Funa said.<\/p>\n

"I played rugby when I was younger so am hoping that will help me with the adjustment.<\/p>\n

"The Waratahs are one of the most iconic teams in rugby and I'm thankful for the opportunity they have given me.<\/p>\n

"I'd love to chance my arm at fullback, but equally am happy to play on the wing or in the centres, I just love to get the ball in hand."<\/p>\n

For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong><\/em> clicking here!<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The rebuilding NSW Waratahs have taken an educated punt with the signing of Manly Sea Eagles outside back Tevita Funa on a one-year deal. The […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139213"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=139213"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139213\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":139215,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139213\/revisions\/139215"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=139213"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=139213"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=139213"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}