Connacht Rugby and the IRFU have announced the recruitment of Auckland utility back Stacey Ili.
25-year-old Ili has been part of the Auckland Rugby set up since 2012, playing both 7’s and 15’s with the provincial side. He joins Connacht as a utility back who can cover midfield and the back three and will arrive in Galway later this week.
Commenting on the news Connacht Rugby head coach Pat Lam said
“As we look to challenge in both the Guinness PRO12 and European Champions Cup, the addition to our squad of a player like Stacey increases our options all across the back line. Stacey is someone we’ve been looking at for a while now. He is an exciting and skillful player who will complement the game we want to play.”
Stacey Ili added:
“I am really excited and grateful to be given the opportunity to play with Connacht and under coach Pat Lam. I appreciate all the efforts that Connacht Rugby has made to ensure this smooth relocation for me. I am eager to get started and be a part of this awesome team.”
Auckland Backs Coach Bevan Cadwallader talks about Ili in this clip: