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Author Topic: New Signing! Paul Lasike confirmed (Title updated)  (Read 5615 times)

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Re: New Signing?
« Reply #15 on: »
Would be happy to have him at Quins, looks like he’d compliment our back line well, a mix of flare and bulk. Certainly would give us options. 

Re: New Signing?
« Reply #16 on: »
Shame he lost those pointless years never making it in NFL, but still at 28 if we can finesse his game he could be a bit of a unit.

Re: New Signing?
« Reply #17 on: »
Highlights look good but will he have the same impact in the Pemr we will see

Re: New Signing?
« Reply #18 on: »
When I was watching his clips versus Scotland it look like he seems to occassionally tackle without arms in very much an NFL style. If that is the case he will have to tighten up on his technique. He would be fun to watch though.

Re: New Signing?
« Reply #19 on: »
a big unit, would be happy to see him at Quins.

Re: New Signing?
« Reply #20 on: »
When I was watching his clips versus Scotland it look like he seems to occassionally tackle without arms in very much an NFL style. If that is the case he will have to tighten up on his technique. He would be fun to watch though.

I thought that at first - but rewatching it appears that on a couple of occasions he's hit sufficiently hard to send the other player flying before he has a chance to wrap his arms (which I think is legal).

Re: New Signing?
« Reply #21 on: »
if it is true it is just what the Doctor ordered, in regard to Fissler I am not surprised by his tantrum, he is prone to it and hates to think that anyone else may have rugby stories and transfer rumours other than himself.

Re: New Signing?
« Reply #22 on: »
When I was watching his clips versus Scotland it look like he seems to occassionally tackle without arms in very much an NFL style. If that is the case he will have to tighten up on his technique. He would be fun to watch though.

I thought that at first - but rewatching it appears that on a couple of occasions he's hit sufficiently hard to send the other player flying before he has a chance to wrap his arms (which I think is legal).
Agreed. I think people are focussing a bit too much on his NFL stint, forgetting that he grew up playing Rugby, and indeed his college scholarship was a Rugby one, not American Football. His tackling looks very hard but the refs weren't penalising him. That to me says he's simply a very powerful tackler, which we could do with!


Re: New Signing?
« Reply #23 on: »
Definitely - would be nice to have someone in the centres that other teams are wary of, and will therefore put two defenders on; that should open up some space.

Re: New Signing?
« Reply #24 on: »
from the clips i have seen it looks like he does not lose the ball in contact ,would be a good addition to the squad.

Re: New Signing?
« Reply #25 on: »
Has this signing been confirmed?

Re: New Signing?
« Reply #26 on: »
Has this signing been confirmed?

No, not yet. So far it's just rumoured online by Fissler and RugbyPass.

Re: New Signing?
« Reply #27 on: »
RugbyInsideLine now saying that he's not signed for us.

Re: New Signing?
« Reply #28 on: »
OH! that's disappointing I was counting my chickens and starting to get quite excited. Oh well it will have to be Ardia Savea then.

Re: New Signing?
« Reply #29 on: »
And it's now official!

Offy Announcement

Harlequins sign Paul Lasike from Utah Warriors
Friday, 3rd August 2018 @ 15:00



USA Eagles centre joins Gustard’s new era at the London club.
Paul Lasike, who starred for USA when they beat Scotland earlier this summer, has signed for Harlequins.

The New Zealand-born 28-year-old, who has been capped six times for the USA Eagles, joins Quins from Utah Warriors where he was captain since the start of the year.


Lasike made a huge impression on the international scene in June when USA beat Scotland 30-29 in Texas. His powerful defence was a major factor in his country’s first victory over a major international rugby nation.

He first travelled to the US from Auckland on a rugby scholarship at Brigham Young University in Utah but he was soon approached to play for the American Football side there. His success with them led to signing contracts with the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL and later Chicago Bears, where he played as fullback.

Lasike, who spent three years in the NFL before returning to rugby with Utah Warriors, told Quins TV: “Playing rugby in the US and representing them at international level has been an awesome experience. But it was an honour to be asked to join such a prestigious club as Harlequins and I am delighted to be joining the Club.

“I did my own research about the Club and I asked a couple of my friends on the US team about the Harlequins and they said, ‘Grab the bull by both horns and take it!’ So I did. It is an exciting, awesome opportunity and now we have the next month to get prepared for the start of the season. I can’t wait.”


Paul Gustard, Harlequins’ Head of Rugby said: “I am delighted Paul is joining us for the start of a new era at Harlequins. He is a player who has enormous game-changing potential and I am very excited and pleased that Paul and his young family have made the decision to come to be part of our journey.

“He adds something different to a talented group of centres that we have at the club. I am sure the fans will enjoy his approach to the game and give him and his family the warm welcome that they are famous for.

“I am thankful for the cooperation of the MLR and Utah Warriors for allowing Paul the opportunity to develop his game, challenge himself and give Paul and his family new experiences to enjoy.”
           

Utah Warriors Head Coach Alf Daniels said Quins’ latest signing showed the strength of Major League Rugby in the US. “Paul signing with the Quins just shows that the MLR has talent,” he said. “There is talent in America and the MLR is the best path forward to develop that talent. We’re excited for Paul, but look forward to the next man up to step into his shoes for the Warriors.”

Utah Warriors General Manager Kimball Kjar added: “A year ago people wouldn’t have thought professional rugby in America was feasible. Now, with players like Paul and others leading the way, we can see that not only is the MLR viable and real, but 10 or 15 years from now, we believe the MLR can become one of the world’s top professional rugby competitions.”
« Last Edit: Friday 03-Aug-2018, 15:04* by Fearless Fred »