The struggling Highlanders have recruited former All Blacks No.8 Mose Tuiali’i for the remainder of their Super Rugby campaign.
Tuiali’i, who has been playing club rugby in Japan, was lured south by Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph as a direct replacement for No.8 Nasi Manu, whose season was ended by a foot injury.
The 32-year-old started in five of his nine Tests from 2004 to 2006 and was part of victorious Super Rugby campaigns with the Crusaders in 2005, 2006 and 2008.
He joins a Highlanders side who have lost their first five games to be in last place. Their losing streak stretches back eight games after a poor end to their 2012 campaign.
Joseph, who had a lengthy playing career in Japan, has turned to that country to fill several gaps in his Highlanders roster this year.
Other experienced players to have had stints in the Japanese club game are Neil Brew, 34, and Tamati Ellison, 30, Jake Paringatai, 32, and Brad Thorn, 38.
The Highlanders face the Blues in Auckland on Friday.
Jerry Graham
Guest
The Highlanders finished 9th, 9th, 11th & 12th in their last 4 seasons at Carisbrook. In fact, from 2003 onwards they only finished in the top half of the table one time in the last 8 season they played there. The Highlanders, and Otago, suffered hugely from professionalism in rugby as it meant that talented rugby players were no longer going to university down there - instead they were going into the rugby academies, and if they did do tertiary study it would be where they were based for rugby.
atlas
Guest
to win or lose?
Malo
Guest
backed highlanders crusaders tahs 21/1, certainties
atlas
Guest
if he plays five more years - Radike Samo! six more years - Brad Thorn! Still plenty of internationals about that have reached the 'old age' of 32.
richard
Guest
Shields has a future at 6,which he will contest with Stephen Luatua.Add Read and Manu at the back of the scrum and you are starting to get some serious depth in the loose.You are then looking at the likes of Sam Cane,Matt Todd and Ardie Savea as back ups to McCaw and you have the loose forwards covered to post 2015.It is game time that these players will need,and that has to start in earnest THIS year. Now,if only we can improve the situation in the midfield and hooker....
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Who ever made the point about the House of Pain is spot on. The Highlanders were always tough to beat however now they play in the cozy dome there isn't a huge advantage for them. The Highlanders are the biggest Super Rugby disappointments so far, they were a trendy pick for top six. 7 or 8 AB's in the squad.
On or
Guest
Yea Manu is just class!! Not sure why he has t been given the nod as an ab's tourist! Or has he? The selectors I think are interested in shields as he looks to be a 6 and an 8
richard
Guest
Losing Nasi Manu was a cruel blow.For me,he is the natural back-up to Read at eight for the AB's.Interesting that GH was looking at him at one stage.He's the only eight in NZ,other than Read to consistently break the advantage line. If he comes back and regains form,it will be a matter of when,not if he will wear the black jersey.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
I feel sorry for the Highlanders. Luck has been against them this year. Thomo was a huge loss, loosing Nasi Manu was just cruel. They also miss Ellison big time. A Nonu/Ellison midfield is as good as it gets. When you take out Manu, Thomo and Jamie mac the Heart of that Highlanders pack that has been so formidable over the years is gone. I really don't think the roof has helped the cause either. Not many teams liked going to Dunedin to play in the cold, wet conditions. The home side loved it. I just hope the Highlanders can do some other Kiwi teams a favor down the track.
Colvin
Guest
Mose is the same age as George Smith so age shouldn't be a factor. That's not to say he has the same legendary status but he was a star for the Championship winning Crusaders and it could be that he comes back fit, relatively fresh from a less intensive competition and ready to go. Let's hope so as the Highlanders are really missing Thompson and Manu.
atlas
Guest
does seem desperate, but as an impact player maybe, take some pressure off DIxon but . . . who you gonna call? with about 200 players committed to NZ Super squads/and extended squads, and the ones who missed that 'cut' playing overseas - some in Australian Super squads, some Europe/UK - at this time of year there would be few available players.
Colvin
Guest
Watch us go now.
richard
Guest
Another over-the-hill player.The Highlanders are rapidly becoming SR's retirement home.