Blues first-five Bryn Gatland will join the southern club from next season for two years. Gatland currently with the Blues will add some depth to the Highlanders first-five stocks as the long serving Lima Sopoaga departs for the U.K. Gatland who plays his provincial rugby for North Harbour also played for the NZ Barbarians against the British and Irish Lions last year. An enterprising young player he is fashioning a reputation as a quality goal kicker.

He will be joined at the club by robust young loosie, Marino Mikaele Tu’u, who has already played once for the Highlanders this season as an injury replacement. A product of the Hawkes Bay, he was a member of the 2018 World Cup winning U20 side, a sizable loose forward who can play in all three loose forward positions.

Tevita Nabura has also signed as a fully contracted player for 2019; a hard-running Fijian winger who made a big impression at this year’s Brisbane global 10s.

‘These guys have already shown a lot of potential at Super Rugby level this season we are confident that the more time they spend in our programme the more their game will grow. All three are great prospects for the future.” said Highlanders CEO Roger Clark.

ENDS