North Otago club rugby has a global atmosphere with the arrival of players from all parts of the world for the 2014 club and Heartland season.
One such player to impress was Argentinian Diego Biro, fullback for Athletic Marist.
Endowed with pace and vision, Biro looked a real possibility for Heartland selection. Athletic Marist has also obtained Argentine centre Gonzalo Aneella.
In addition, Athletic has in its ranks lock/winger Mateo Raturawa and coming this week is a first five-eighth from England, Ben Palmer. Excelsior has been bolstered by the arrival of South African lock
Luke Gaensicke; halfback Cameron Keenan (England); first five-eighth Kayne Middleton, who played in Tokyo; the Tongan Sauileoge brothers, Ekeroma and Tenina; Callum Lines, a flanker from Tom Wood's club, Barkers' Butts; and Canadians Zac Walker, a prop, and second five-eighth Ben Lesage.
Kurow has gained Fijian prop Sanaila Nahuto and winger/fullback Simeli Koniferedi along with South Africans Ruaan Badenhurst and Ezequiel Benitez.
Will Keenan, an English flanker, and Chris Perry, an English midfield back, have joined Old Boys, while Fijian winger Mitieli Nacaqilevu and Canadian prop Djustice Seers will link up with Valley.
Matt Mullins, a Canadian No8, joins English midfielder Joe Marston at Maheno.
In addition, North Otago Heartland players halfback Robbie Smith and utility back Chris Talanoa will return in a week from playing in England. Smith, a former Southern player, will rejoin the Maheno club.
