Connacht rugby’s new signing from New Zealand has a GAA past you probably don’t know about

We're looking forward to seeing some great fielding from this guy.

Connacht and the IRFU announced this week that New Zealand-born flanker Nepia Fox-Matamua will join the province next season. The 23-year-old, who plays for ITM Cup side Auckland, has signed a two-year deal with the westerners. However, what you might not know about Fox-Matamua is that he's a decent GAA player. Limerick man John Griffin got in touch and told us the story: "I was previously secretary of Marist Rangers GAA Club in Auckland where Nepia played for us for a number of years. "He lined out both in midfield and as a centre half forward so he's well versed in Irish culture so to speak and will have no problem settling in," John added. "He played about four years with us I'd say. He came in as a total novice but went onto become a star of the team."

Nepia with the league championship winning team in 2012

John believes the sky's the limits for the young player: [He's] an absolute beast of an athlete as we once called him, I still believe he can become an All-Black."