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The New Orleans Gold have struck again with a third signing from the Southern Hemisphere. After announcing Tristan Blewett and Scott Gale the team has now confirmed that Manu Samoa World Cup lock Kane Thompson will join the team for the 2019 Major League Rugby season.
A seasoned campaigner who will celebrate his 37th birthday in January, Thompson has played around the globe during his more than 15 years as a professional. The New Zealand native began his career in his home province of Wellington and represented New Zealand u21 before moving to Southland and then the Highlanders of Super Rugby.
He opted to pursue test honors with Samoa and was part of the team that beat the USA at the 2007 World Cup. Thompson then played three seasons with Dax in the French Pro D2 before returning to Southland. He switched to Hawke’s Bay ahead of the 2011 World Cup, and then signed for the Chiefs in 2012.
A brief stint in Japan with the Canon Eagles was followed by a second season with the Chiefs, and then he signed a two-year deal with the Newcastle Falcons in the English Premiership. Thompson called time on international duty following the 2015 World Cup after 33 appearances for the Manu including 29 starts.
An imposing figure in the lineout with his 6’6″ (1.98m) frame, Thompson has spent the last three seasons in New Zealand’s Mitre 10 Cup provincial competition. He is currently in his second campaign with Taranaki. NOLA are expected to announce more additions in the coming weeks with at least two internationals still to be revealed.
