Northampton Saints Secure Samoa International Mapu

Samoa international Iakopo Mapu, who has made seven appearances for his country, has been signed by Northampton Saints for the remainder of the current season. The 27-year-old back-row forward’s most recent club rugby engagement was with Kia Toa in New Zealand, and he was previously affiliated with the Super Rugby team Moana Pasifika. Mapu joins the reigning Premiership champions to provide injury cover for number eight Sam Graham, who is currently sidelined with a long-term knee injury. Speaking to the club’s official website, Mapu expressed, “This is a life-changing move for me, and when I first got the call from Northampton, I was shaking.” He added, “Playing here in Northampton is going to be a different level for me in my career, and I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in and putting hard work on and off the field.” Despite growing up a significant distance from Northampton, Mapu closely followed the Saints with keen interest. He is well-acquainted with the Pisi brothers, Ken and George, both former Samoa internationals who were members of Northampton’s 2014 title-winning squad. Mapu elaborated, “I was born and raised in Samoa, but when I moved to New Zealand for high school, I stayed with the Pisi brothers and their family.” He continued, “We know each other really well, their parents gave me brilliant advice all through my junior rugby career, and Ken and George used to give me Northampton kit to wear when I was training – which I loved.” Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson expressed the club’s belief that Mapu possesses the ability to “thrive” in the Premiership. Dowson commented, “He is extremely physical, aggressive, and athletic, with a lot of raw talent and potential.”