The Highlanders have confirmed the signings of Otago trio Michael Collins, Vilimoni Koroi and Sione Misiloi ahead of the 2020 Super Rugby season.
Collins, who was the Otago captain, and
Misiloi have penned one-year contracts with the New Zealand based franchise.
However, Koroi, has signed a three-year deal which will see him miss the majority of next season so to allow him to be in selection contention for the All Blacks Sevens at next summer’s Tokyo Olympics.
Koroi is probably the most exciting of the
three to have arrived as he can cover fly-half, wing and full-back and at only
21 will continue to grow as a player.
The other exciting prospect for the
Highlanders is that they have already signed another All Blacks youngster in
Scott Gregory, who is a blossoming full-back that has lit up the stage at
underage levels.
The thought of Gregory and Koroi linking up
is great but both are trying to get into that Sevens team and will be out of
selection contention next season.
As well as that trio and Gregory the Highlanders
have also signed Connor Garden-Bachop, Mitch Hunt, Jona Nakeri and Ngane Punivai
in what has been an eventful transfer period so far.
However, the signings were vital following
the departure of 12 key players including the likes of Jackson Hemopo, Matt
Faddes, Ben Smith, Liam Squire and Luke Whitelock.
Although it might take a bit of time to get the squad together the new signings are promising for the franchise’s future.
