Wallabies prop Sekope Kepu is returning to New Zealand and is likely to link up Counties Manukau for this year’s National Provincial Championship.
The 35-year-old grew up in the region and represented Counties Manukau at age group level before moving to Australia and beginning a career that would earn the prop 110 tests for the Wallabies.
He signed with London Irish after the 2019 World Cup but after more than a year of lockdown in the United Kingdom he has opted to move his family back to New Zealand.
“We’d set up camp in Australia which is home for us. The kids were born there and we settled in quite well,” Kepu told the New Zealand Herald.
“Unfortunately with the Covid situation and the uncertainty of travel we made the decision to move back to Auckland to be closer to both our parents.
“It was niggly but it is what it is with the laws at the moment. Day and night we stayed up and tried to find availability with the MIQ facilities to try give the club a bit more time in March, April, May but by then everything had been booked out. June wasn’t available. During that period everyone wanted to come home.
“We exhausted every avenue. It was impossible for me to come into New Zealand by myself. That’s pretty much it in a nutshell.”
Kepu’s heart was always from Counties Manukau and should he agree to terms, he would join All Blacks Nepo Laulala, Dalton Papali’i and Hoskins Sotutu in a powerful pack.
“I’m happy to get back to where it all started,” Kepu said. “I feel like my body is in good shape after the stop start season last year.
“The level of the NPC is great. I’ve had couple of sessions with the Counties lads and the pace is quite quick. I’m really enjoying challenging myself.”
Recent Comments