Fakatava extends stay at Highlanders

Highlanders under-study scrumhalf Folau Fakatava will remain in Otago until 2023, having recently signed an extension with the Franchise.

Highlander’s CEO, Roger Clark, said:

“Folau certainly had other offers to consider but we are delighted he has chosen to stay with us. We are working hard to retain a nucleus of players for the next few years and we certainly see Folau as key to our future aspirations”.

Fakatava had a fantastic 2020 season for Hawke’s Bay which saw him awarded the Duane Monkley Medal for the Mitre 10 Cup Player of The Year.

“He is a special talent no doubt, he has certainly grown as a man and a player over the last few seasons and his game is starting to come together nicely,” said Highlanders head coach Tony Brown. “He is a real threat to any defence and was outstanding for Hawkes Bay last season. We look forward to him taking his game to new heights over the next few years and I would love to see both Aaron [Smith] and Folau in the All Blacks - he is certainly capable”.

For now, Fakatava seems happy where he is:

“I have really enjoyed my time here and although there were other options, I really wanted to pay back the club that gave me my start,” he said. “I have had the best halfback in the world as my coach and I feel very lucky to have had the chance to learn so much down here. I feel like a southern man now.”