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Kurt Morath has traded in his black Utah Warriors jersey in exchange for a dark blue Doncaster Knights strip. The Tongan international has signed a two-year deal with the RFU Championship outfit, departing Major League Rugby after its inaugural season.
The 33-year-old was first choice flyhalf and goal kicker for the Warriors during the 2018 season, leading them to a Semi Final appearance despite a slow start to the campaign. A two-time World Cup participant with Tonga in 2011 and 2015, Morath was recalled to the Ikale Tahi side in June after a two-year absence. He now has 33 caps and looks set to play in a third World Cup in 2019.
It’s a blow for Utah, who have now lost their three most influential players in Morath, captain Paul Lasike, and loose forward David Tameilau to overseas deals. The Warriors will now have to find a new flyhalf altogether with second-string Jonny Linehan opting to retire rather than add to his three MLR starts.
Morath joins a Doncaster side that features Eagles second row Nick Civetta and Samoa international Josh Tyrell in the forwards and Fijian Henry Seniloli at scrumhalf. The Knights were a mid-table side in 2017-18, finishing in 7th place with a record of 9 wins, 12 losses, and one draw.
