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The New England Free Jacks have secured Samoa prop Donald Brighouse on a two-year contract through the end of the 2021 Major League Rugby season. He represented New Zealand at the 2013 World Junior Championship and was most recently first choice tighthead for Taranaki Bulls in the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup.
At just 26 years old, Brighouse has already built a strong professional resume. He made his senior provincial debut for Otago in 2014 and played five seasons with the Razorbacks, leading to selection for Manu Samoa’s tour to Europe in November 2017. Super Rugby came calling early in 2018 and Brighouse featured in five matches with the Crusaders.
In January of this year he signed a short-term deal with Coventry in the RFU Championship, but returned to New Zealand at season’s end to join Taranaki. Brighouse now gives New England two international tighthead options with long-time Japan starter Kensuke Hatakayema also signed up through 2021.
Meanwhile the club has confirmed that Fiji u20 rep Isaac Cavu will no longer be joining the club for the 2020 season. A pre-existing injury will prevent the 22-year-old from taking up the deal announced on the 1st of August. Other props currently on the roster include former France u20 loosehead Simon Courcoul, Tonga international Tolu Fahamokioa, versatile Eagles veteran Tony Purpura, and young American tighthead Quentin Newcomer.
