18 Jan 2019

Another All Black off to Europe

11:47 am on 18 January 2019

The exodus of top New Zealand rugby players to Europe continues with Hurricanes prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen joining English club Wasps.

Jeffery Toomaga-Allen at an All Blacks training session, Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, June 2018.

Jeffery Toomaga-Allen Photo: Photosport

A one-test All Black, Toomaga-Allen's departure was confirmed on Friday morning by the Coventry-based side.

The 28 year old will join fellow former All Blacks Lima Sopoaga and Malakai Fekitoa and former Hurricanes team-mate Brad Shields at Wasps.

The news also comes after wing Nehe Milner-Skudder and midfielder Matt Proctor also announced European deals.

Toomaga-Allen will make the move at the end of the 2019 Super Rugby season and said he felt Wasps were a fantastic club with a lot of history.

"I want to help the club compete at the very top of the Premiership and European competitions, and hopefully I can be part of something special in winning trophies."

Wasps director of rugby Dai Young said bringing someone of Toomaga-Allen's calibre to their club was great news.

"Jeff is a solid scrummager while also being strong in defence, and like most New Zealanders, he is gifted with ball in hand so he's a terrific all-round player.

"We're looking forward to him joining us next season as he'll provide a real wealth of experience to the front-row."

Toomaga-Allen's lone test for New Zealand came against Japan in 2013, while he also featured in a pair of tour matches on the All Blacks end of year tour in 2017.

He has racked up 101 games for the Hurricanes and been a regular fixture in the Wellington Lions front-row since 2012.