AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Vikes alumnus and Canadian international rugby player Adam Kleeberger has signed a professional contract with New Zealand’s
Auckland Rugby Football Union.
The professional contract is Kleeberger’s second since taking a break from pursuing his Kinesiology degree at the University of Victoria. In 2008, Kleeberger led the Vikes to a Vancouver Island Championship before departing for a stint with the Rotherham Titans in England for the 2009-10 season.
The Whiterock, B.C. native made a name for himself playing in the English Championship and was awarded the Supporter’s Player of the Year Award.
This past summer, Kleeberger returned to North America and helped Canada to their best ever finish at the Churchill Cup beating Uruguay and France ‘A’ in the opening round of the tournament.
With the 2011 Rugby Wolrd Cup quickly approaching, Kleeberger is headed to the sport’s hotbed to compete alongside the top-ranked players in the world.
“I am a big fan of the way rugby is played in New Zealand and I’m looking forward to being tested by the caliber of players I will be up against,” Kleeberger said upon arriving in Auckland this past week.
Kleeberger’s quick facts:
- 22 caps with Canada’s senior men’s team
- Represented Canada at the 2007 Rugby Word Cup and 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens
- Played in the Under-19 World Championships (France) as well as the 2004 and 2005 Under-21 Championships (Argentina)