The Seattle Seawolves have added considerable strength to their forward pack with the signing of Fiji international Apisai Naikatini. At 6’5″ (1.96m) and 255lbs (115kg) the 33-year-old provides ballast as well as lineout athleticism to the Seattle second row, which now boasts five players of starting quality.

Naikatini played 18 matches for Fiji between 2012 and 2014. He was named in the extended squad for the 2015 World Cup but was eventually relegated to non-traveling reserve status. After beginning his career with Wellington, Naikatini then earned a Super Rugby deal in 2009 with the Hurricanes.

His professional travels took him to the Japan Top League with Toyota Verblitz and then to France, where Naikatini spent two seasons in the Top 14 with Brive and Agen, though injuries disrupted his involvement. After spending the 2016-17 season with Aubenas in Fédérale 1 he returned to New Zealand to play club rugby with Johnsonville.

Seattle will play their final warm-up match against the Seattle Saracens on Thursday, January 17. The defending Major League Rugby champions will open their 2019 regular season against the Glendale Raptors at Starfire Stadium on Sunday, January 27.