Leicester sign Samoan hooker Richie Asiata to ease injury and retirement crisis

Leicester Tigers have signed Samoan international hooker Richie Asiata with immediate effect, moving quickly to address a shortage at the position after losing both Charlie Clare to injury and Finn Theobold-Thomas to retirement at just 23 years old.

Asiata, 30, arrives with substantial experience at the highest level, having accumulated more than 50 Super Rugby caps with the Queensland Reds and also represented Northland and Tasman in New Zealand’s NPC. Born in New Zealand, he represented Australia A and the Australia Under-20s before committing to Samoa, earning two caps in the Nations Cup in July — making his debut off the bench against Georgia before starting against Romania. He is currently part of the Samoa squad for the November Test window.

“Richie brings top level experience with over 50 Super Rugby caps to a position of need,” said Tigers head coach Geoff Parling. “He’s hungry for the chance to prove himself in the PREM, and we welcome him, Leilani and Lior to Tigers.”

Asiata said he sought advice from fellow Pacific Island players with knowledge of the club before making his decision. “I spoke to James O’Connor, Ben Volavola and Izaia Perese, they told me about the history of Leicester,” he said. “The fans are unreal, it’s pretty crazy at home games. I’m really happy to get involved, I can’t wait to get to know the boys, the fans and the culture.”

The signing adds to a growing Pacific Island contingent at Mattioli Woods Welford Road. Tongan hooker Sam Moli and centre Solomone Kata are already on the books, and Asiata’s arrival means Leicester now have notable representation from across the Pacific in their squad.

For Asiata, the move represents a first taste of northern hemisphere club rugby. “I’ve played in Australia for a while, so it’s pretty exciting to try something new,” he said.