ODT - Highlanders bring in injury cover

[Kiwiwomble]

[h=1]Rugby: Highlanders bring in injury cover[/h]<!--paging_filter-->Former Highlanders Mike Delany and Hale T-Pole have both joined the Dunedin-based franchise as cover for the injury-hit squad.
Delany, a Highlander in 2008 has been playing rugby in Japan and will cover first-five eight, following serious injuries to both Colin Slade and Lima Sopoaga.
Delany played 10 games for the Highlanders in 2008 before heading to the Chiefs in 2009, where he made 22 appearances over three seasons before heading to Japan at the end of the 2011 season.
Delany was selected for the All Blacks in 2010 and played one test match against Italy in Milan.
A former Otago and Southland representative, T-Pole has joined the squad as temporary cover for loose forward John Hardie, who has sustained a season-ending foot injury.
T-Pole made his debut for the Highlanders in 2004 against the Cats and then went on to play 19 games for the Highlanders between 2004 and 2007. He has been playing in Japan since 2008, most recently for the Ricoh Black Rams. T-Pole has played a couple of club games for Pirates in the past couple of weeks, and his contract is for an initial three week period.

good to have some fresh bodies to throw into the breach!
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[TRF Mr Fish]

Yep - seemed pretty touch and go for the last week. He's a fantastic signing really. Probably a better option than any of there fit first fives anyway.

 

[austingtir]

Yeah, seems crazy that he left how old is the guy? I wonder if he regrets it after the whole WC first five's droping all over the show. If he had stuck around he might have got a chance.

 

[Larksea]

hope he goes well, apart from one game he was very average for the chiefs when Donald was injured last year.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

with the guys around him hopefully he will only have to distribute and kick, from what i remember he's a good kicker so if he leave the flash stuff to other he should be fine

 

[Larksea]

that was his main problem last year, he only ended up kicking 60% some games were pretty bad and the chiefs lost games they should have won with those missed points

he is better than that though, time in Japan can be really good for some players.