Funaki eyes Dragons debut 14 months after signing

Solomone Funaki joined Dragons from Moana Pasifika in the summer of 2024

It is more than a year since Solomone Funaki arrived at Rodney Parade and yet the long wait to make his full Dragons debut goes on.

Injuries meant the Tonga international back-row missed all of last season following his move from Moana Pasifika.

Little wonder then that he is as keen as any of the latest arrivals or emerging academy products to make an impact.

The 31-year-old finally wore Dragons colours as a replacement in the pre-season win over Scarlets on Saturday, with his left knee heavily strapped.

After 14 months frustration, Funaki aims to prove he can still make it.

"It was great to see Mone get minutes under his belt," said head coach Filo Tiatia, who worked with Funaki at Pasifika.

"That was his first hit-out and he had some nice collisions defensively.

"He has played international rugby, so I know what he can do, but he has a bit of work to do. It was just great to see him back out there."

Nicknamed 'The Beast' at Moana Pasifika, where he was player of the year in 2023, Funaki was a high-profile signing for Dragons last summer, an explosive ball carrier with the ability to shift momentum with big hits in defence.

Instead he endured a nightmare first season.

Knee surgery was supposed to ensure he would be fully healthy to start the new season with Dragons only for an infection to keep him on the sidelines.

Comeback appearances were arranged, first for part-timers Pontypool and then Newport, in which he suffered a shoulder injury that curtailed his season again.

Back-row competition

Funaki may have worked his way closer to being a contender for Dragons action but he is still short of fitness and down the pecking order.

Wales number eight Aaron Wainwright and flanker Shane Lewis-Hughes were first-choice starters last season, Harrison Keddie has captained the team, Seb Davies and Ryan Woodman are options, while new signings Thomas Young, Harry Beddall and on-loan Mackenzie Martin have raised competition for places.

Owen Conquer, whose progress was stalled by illness last season, and Wales Under-20s number eight Evan Minto are also looking to stake a claim.

Dragons kick off the United Rugby Championship season at Ulster on 26 September.

Tongan recruits Fetuli Paea and Fine Inisi, among 14 new signings, are poised to feature in the coming weeks but the wait is set to go on for 2024 arrival Funaki.