Welsh-based rugby club, Scarlets have announced the signing of highly-rated back-row forward, Taine Plumtree. The New-Zealand-born player, who is Welsh-qualified, is set to join the Welsh region from Super Rugby. The deal is viewed as a significant coup for the Scarlets, who have been pursuing the Swansea-born player for months. The 23-year-old’s father is former All-Blacks and Ireland coach, John Plumtree. Taine Plumtree is seen as an international rugby star of the future, with his signing set to turn the heads of Wales coach Warren Gatland.
Plumtree’s arrival comes as the Scarlets are looking to strengthen their pack, having lost Blade Thomson, Tomas Lezana, Aaron Shingler and Sione Kalamafoni. The athletic line-out forward and dynamic runner was selected for the World Junior Championships in 2019, playing for the Baby Blacks against Wales in Argentina. His senior career began with Wellington in New Zealand’s provincial Mitre 10 Cup, before making his Super Rugby debut with the Blues in 2021.
Scarlets Head Coach Dwayne Peel spoke of his excitement to welcome Plumtree to the club: “Taine is an athletic, versatile forward who is able to play across the back row. We have been impressed by what we have seen of him with Wellington and the Blues in Super Rugby. He is a player of huge potential and we are excited for him to join the young generation of Scarlets who are coming through the ranks here.” The signing is part of the club’s push to strengthen their squad for the 2023-24 season, building on the arrivals of Ioan Lloyd, Tomi Lewis, Alex Craig, Teddy Leatherbarrow, Charlie Titcombe and Efan Jones.
Plumtree’s signing is proof of Scarlets’ investment in youth and talent, with the player set to integrate into the Welsh club’s playing style. As they prepare for the new season, it will be interesting to see how Plumtree’s arrival affects the Scarlets, as well as the Wales rugby team.
