Munster on Wednesday confirmed the signing of former All Blacks centre Malakai Fekitoa, amid reports linking Springbok centre Damian de Allende with a move away from the club.

Fekitoa will join the province from Premiership side Wasps ahead of the 2022-23 season. A World Cup winner with the All Blacks in 2015, the 29-year-old can play in either centre position and has signed a two-year contract with Munster.

Prior to joining Wasps in 2019, Fekitoa spent two years at Toulon and was part of the side defeated by Munster in the memorable 2018 Champions Cup quarter-final at Thomond Park.

Fekitoa featured in New Zealand’s successful 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign and scored eight tries in 24 appearances for the All Blacks between 2014 and 2017. He now represents his native Tonga on the international front.

The news comes as De Allende continues to be linked with a move away from Munster. De Allende is nearing the end of a two-year deal with the Irish province and is reportedly not going to sign a contract renewal to stay in Limerick.

While rumours suggest that De Allende could be on his way to Bath, who recently unveiled Johann van Graan as their future head coach, it is believed that the Bok centre will be returning to the Wild Knights in Japan.

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