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Sign But Skipper Tim Moves On Pirates Squad News |
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| Pirates Continue To Strengthen - But Captain
Tim Is Off | | | Squad
News March 26th 2008 |
3 Sign But Skipper Tim Moves On The
names of the latest players to sign for the Cornish Pirates form an impressive
looking trio that will clearly strengthen the squad still further next season. Former
Bristol flanker Chris Morgan, who will arrive in Cornwall from Newbury Blues,
is well-known to rugby supporters in the Duchy, the 26 year old having been seen
as a stand-out performer when he played for the Pirates on loan from Bristol just
two seasons ago. Also signed is another former Bristol man
in the shape of centre Tom Luke, who joins from Doncaster Knights, and an exciting
prospect in Fijian international winger Marika Vakacegu who has played most of
this season for Pertemps Bees. Sadly leaving the Pirates,
however, will be present captain Tim Cowley, it having been confirmed that the
respected rugby warrior will be joining French Premiership outfit Bourgoin. Tim
has been a mighty performer throughout his four years with the Pirates and someone
who demanded respect from whoever he has played with, either for or against. He
was the club's 'Player of the Year' for 2007, and was selected in last season's
Rugby Times National One Dream XV. Commenting on the latest
three signings and the forthcoming departure of Tim Cowley, CEO Rod Coward said:
"Firstly, regarding Tim Cowley, it must be said that he has been a great
player for the club, whose performances have been outstanding, particularly so
this season. We wish him well with his new club. In relation to our three new
signings, all three are excellent players who will bring strength and skill to
our squad next season. Our expectations of all three are high and I'm confident
we will not be disappointed."
|  | Chris
Morgan Having first played rugby for Burnham-on-Sea at the age
of eight, Chris later went to Millfield School and then to Bristol when at the
same time he started a chemistry degree at Cardiff University.He
played for England U18s (Clubs), in a side captained by 'Pirate' Paul Devlin,
and a year later played for England Schools 18 Group alongside players the calibre
of Olly Barkley and James Simpson-Daniel, as well as the late Nick Duncombe. Just
part way through his first year of 'Uni', Chris was offered a full-time contract
with the 'Shoguns' through the then Bristol boss Dean Ryan. He
decided to give up his studies and made his Premiership debut against Wasps in
2001/02, which was a tremendous experience playing alongside players such as Julian
White, Gareth Archer and Augustin Pichot, to name but a few of the then Bristol
stars. In 2005/06, Chris, who played against us when Bristol
were in National One, had a loan spell with the Pirates, making his debut away
to Bedford. He impressed then, and has done similarly since when playing for Newbury
Blues these past couple of seasons. Chris is really excited
about joining the Cornish Pirates, enjoys the brand of rugby we play, and keen
to play a part in our quest for the Premiership. | |
| | Chris
Morgan - Profile | |
D.O.B | 6th Nov 1981 | | Place
of Birth | Bristol | | Nationality |
UK | | Height |
6' 2" (1.88m) | | Weight |
16st 10lbs (106kg) | | Position | Flanker | | Previous
clubs | Bristol, Cornish Pirates
(loan), Newbury | | Representative
Honours | England (U18s Clubs/18
Gp Schools/U21s), England Counties, Barbarians |
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| Tom
Luke Tom played his youth rugby for Eastleigh in Hampshire
from the age of eight, before then joining the Bath Academy, He went to Bath University
to study Coach Education and Sports Performance, and after his first year there
signed for Bristol, making his 1st. Team debut away to Munster, which was quite
some experience. When Bristol found themselves relegated,
Tom played two years in Italy, which he loved, embracing the lifestyle and learning
the language. On his return to England he played for Bedford,
helping them to finish 2005/06 runners-up to Harlequins in National One, whom
they also lost to in the final of the Powergen Shield. A season in Ireland followed,
before last year Tom was given the chance to sign for Doncaster Knights, where
he has been a regular throughout. Speaking on his forthcoming
move to the Cornish Pirates, Tom said: "I've signed for the Cornish
Pirates primarily because of their competitive history, plus their ambition and
quality." He had received offers from elsewhere, but his decision was an
easy one, besides him also having the pull of a brother and two nephews who live
in Plymouth. | Tom
Luke - Profile | |
D.O.B | 6th Nov 1981 | | Place
of Birth | Scarborough | | Nationality |
UK | | Height |
6' 0" (1.83m) | | Weight |
15st 8lbs (99kg) | | Position | Centre/fly-half | | Previous
clubs | Bristol, Leonessa Brescia
(Italy), Bedford, UL Bohs, Doncaster | | Representative
Honours | England Students U19/21s |
| Marika
Vakacegu Marika was a policeman back in Fiji who has this season played
for Pertemps Bees. He is a wing or full-back who possesses good all-round skills
and has great vision. A beautiful striker of the ball he can also step deftly
off both feet. Having been selected at fly-half for the Fiji U21s side
that participated in the 2002 Rugby World Cup competition in South Africa, he
has developed steadily into a very accomplished player. In 2004 he made
his senior Test match debut for Fiji against Samoa, and a year later he was a
member of the Fiji Sevens team that won silver at the Los Angeles Sevens. Keen
to perfect all aspects of his game, Marika is equally determined to fulfill his
life-long ambition to play rugby at the highest level - with the Cornish Pirates. | Marika
Vakacegu - Profile | |
D.O.B | 23rd June 1981 | | Place
of Birth | Suva (Fiji) | | Nationality |
Fijian | | Height |
6' 1" (1.85m) | | Weight |
15st 2lbs (96.2kg) | | Position | Wing/full-back/centre | | Previous
clubs | Pertemps Bees | | Representative
Honours | Fiji (3 caps), Fiji
7s |
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