Hafoka gets Spanish rugby job (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Hafoka gets Spanish rugby job

2:54pm Sunday 22nd June 2008

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FORMER Tongan international Simon Hafoka, who has just left Bridgwater & Albion, has landed a rugby job in Spain.

The hooker or flanker, who is in his early thirties, heard last week that he had been appointed full-time player-coach of Oviedo Rugby Club, who play in the Spanish second division.

Oviedo is on the north coast of Spain, not far from Santander, home town of Hafoka's wife, who is expecting their first baby in October.

The Hafokas will be departing for Spain when the school year ends at Chilton Trinity Technology College, where he has been teaching PE.

Hafoka said at the weekend: "I would like to thank all the supporters, players and coaching staff at BARFC. My wife and I have enjoyed our time here. We only came for one year, but ended up staying for four, but it is time to move on now. I have played in Spain before, so I know what to expect."

The likeable Tongan joined Albion early in 2004 and helped them to promotion the following season. After a season with a club in the Midlands, he returned to Bath Road and made 102 first-team appearances in all, most of them at hooker.

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