All Black Jeremy Thrush heading to English giants Gloucester after Rugby World Cup HEADING NORTH: All Blacks lock Jeremy Thrush will join Gloucester after the Rugby World Cup. All Blacks lock Jeremy Thrush has been signed by Gloucester to join the English Premiership club after this years Rugby World Cup. The hard-working Thrush, a late bloomer in international terms with 11 caps since his All Blacks debut in 2013, is expected to be part of the All Blacks squad to defend the World Cup in England. He played against the United States and Scotland on the northern hemisphere tour last November. Thrush, the captain of the Hurricanes Super Rugby side last year, will be 30 in April. Signing a player of Jeremys ability further highlights Gloucesters ambition to compete with the best clubs in Europe, club rugby director David Humphreys said. He has been a standout performer in Super Rugby ... and the experience he has gained being part of a successful All Blacks squad will be a key element in establishing Gloucester as one of the dominant forward packs in England. Gloucester chief executive officer Stephen Vaughan said: The addition of a top-quality All Black like Jeremy to our squad demonstrates our determination to keep building towards having a squad capable of consistently challenging for honours going forward. We began a rebuilding process this season by introducing a completely new coaching setup and a host of new players, and we see this exciting announcement as further reinforcement of our total commitment to investing in the playing squad. Gloucesters ambitious recruitment drive sees Thrush join former All Blacks prop John Afoa at the club after the Auckland and Blues front-rower was signed for a record deal from Irish club Ulster for the current season. Thrushs announcement continues the exodus of ageing All Blacks in a World Cup year. Star first five-eighth Dan Carter is off to Racing Metro in France in a mega-deal, and speculation continues that versatile prop Ben Franks will link with London Irish after the World Cup ends in October.
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 07:27:31 +0000