Ambitious RFU Championship side Doncaster Knights have made a number of impressive signings this summer but have missed out on Tongan full-back Telusa Beainu.
Beaine was looking for a club after his one-year contract with Sale Sharks ended and he has been offered a decent offer by the Knights to join their newly-formed side.
But the 33-year-old New Zealand-born Tonga international, who has scored nine tries in 15 games and most recently appeared for the side against Spain last month, is understood to be interested only in a player-coach role.
Doncaster hoped Veainu would add more stars to a backline that includes Bath legend and former England winger Semesa Rokoduguni.
The pacy Beainu spent five seasons at Leicester Tigers, making 79 appearances and scoring 32 tries before moving to Sale from Stade Français in France. He will add significant experience to a side seeking Premier League qualification under Sir Ian McGeechan and Joe Ford.
So far, Doncaster have signed more players than Veainu’s younger brother – he has five brothers and five sisters – and 17 new players have joined the club before the end of the season, complementing the 13 players who remain at the club.
But their search for a full-back/winger will continue with the former Baby All Blacks player having turned down the offer.
