Cardiff Blues have confirmed that powerful Tongan prop Taufa’ao Filise and Wales Under 21 international Centre Dafydd Hewitt have signed contract extensions with the region.
Filise, who grew up in Tonga and went to Tupou College in Nuku’alofa, is a formidable presence on the rugby field, weighing in a 19st 5lbs and standing a towering 6’4″.
The giant front row forward who can play on both side’s of the scrum joined the Cardiff Blues from Bath in May 2006.
Filise, who has also represented Tonga 29 times and was a member of their 2007 RWC squad, has played 87 matches for the Blues with his powerful rampaging runs causing havoc in the opposition ranks.
Dafydd Hewitt, a product of the Blues Academy in Trefforest, made his debut for the Cardiff Blues in January 2006 against Edinburgh.
In the summer of that year he captained Wales in the IRB Under-21 World Cup tournament in France before returning home for surgery after fracturing his cheekbone and eye socket against Argentina.
A skilful and creative midfield player, the 24 year old Llantwit Major product is also immensely strong, often breaking the first line of defence and a solid tackler. He has played 25 times for the Blues scoring two tries.
Former Wales and Lions winger Dafydd James has signed a short term contract with Sale Sharks and will join the north of England club with immediate effect.
The 34 year-old winger joined the Blues in the summer of 2009 but has only started in two matches for the region and joins the Sale Sharks to pursue more game time and hopes of gaining a contract for next season.
Speaking of the announcement Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby, David Young said,
“It’s great news that both Fau and Dafydd have signed new contract with the region, which follows on from the news this week that Ben Blair has also signed a contract extension.”
“Fau has been in fantastic form for us this season, with his ball carrying and powerful runs always posing a threat to the opposition.”
“We’ve been really pleased with the progress he’s made since joining us.”
“Dafydd Hewitt is a product of the Blues Academy in Trefforest and is one of the most promising young Centres in Wales.”
“He is gradually gaining more and more experience and is certainly a player to look out for in the future.”
“Both players are an integral part of our plans going forward with the Blues.”
“I would like to thank Dafydd James for his contribution to the Blues since joining in the summer, when we had a number of injury worries on the wing with Tom James, Tom Shanklin and Leigh Halfpenny all out injured. We wish him the best of luck playing for the Sale Sharks for the rest of the season.”
