Campese Ma'afu and Robin Copeland to join Cardiff Blues

Cardiff Blues have confirmed the signings of prop forward Campese Ma'afu and blindside flanker Robin Copeland on two year contracts.

Fijian international Ma'afu joins the Blues from Australian side West Harbour Pirates while Copeland moves from Rotherham Titans.

Ma'afu has won six caps for Fiji and featured in the 16-16 draw against Wales in 2010.

Copeland joined Rotherham from Plymouth last season.

"I think they are more than capable of accounting well for themselves," said Blues coach Justin Burnell.

"A big thing for us as a region and a team is that we should be looking at a three year cycle of establishing a group of players that will be here to build for the future

"I'm pleased with the two signings who are on two year contracts with Campese working alongside Scott Andrews, Sam Hobbs and Marc Breeze.

"To see him scrum in the World Cup and against New Zealand in the warm up games showed he's an exciting prospect.

"Robin is a big physical boy with the ability to cross the gain-line but has the skills and finesse to put people in to finish via his decision making.

"He is twenty four years old and has been the outstanding player in the Championship this year.

"He might be and unknown quantity with the Pro12 but he will be a surprise package as well."

Ma'afu and Copeland will join a region who will lose a number of key players at the end of the current season

Gethin Jenkins, Casey Lualua, John Yapp and Richie Rees are among the playersd who will leave the Blues while Ben Blair has been linked with a move to French Top 14 side Agen.

"These players are obviously also within our price bracket," added Burnell of the signings of Ma'afu and Copeland.

"For example Gethin Jenkins, who has been a fantastic servant for the Blues, is going to Toulon and we can't compete with the budgets that some of these big French clubs have."