From the Worcester Standard (12 April 2013)

Fatiaki will be like a new signing, says Hill

By Geoff Berkeley

HEAD coach Richard Hill says Worcester Warriors will hold back from unleashing exciting centre Ravai Fatiaki until next season.

A damaged nerve has hampered the Fijian international's fight for a starting jersey at Sixways as he has played just over an hour of Aviva Premiership rugby this season.

Despite admitting the 26-year-old, who arrived at Warriors in November 2011, was close to full fitness, Hill insisted Fatiaki was unlikely to add to his 13 appearances for the club, with only three games remaining.

"It is important that I pick what I think is the best team to play and win the game," Hill said. "The last thing I want is to put Ravai in there with a few games to go and he dislocates his shoulder and has to undergo a big operation.

"He is very close to being fit, but I think it is unlikely that he will feature from now until the end of the season."

Hill said he was a great admirer of the powerful centre and he believes he will be a big hit at Sixways next season.

"It will be like having a new player for us because he has hardly played this year, so it's quite exciting as he'll be fully fit and ready to go," Hill added.

"There are few players that make an impact week in week out in training and he is someone who does that.

"He is a very powerful man, loves his rugby and he is going to be a quality player for us. That's why I signed him last Christmas - to come in and make an impact in our midfield but it hasn't happened yet.

"But when he is fully fit next year he will be a very good player."