Southland manager Leicester Rutledge has been appointed the new manager of the Highlanders.
Rutledge, a former All Black, will be part of the new regime for the southern franchise next year.
He was approached by new head coach Jamie Joseph about the role and jumped at the chance.
Rutledge, who has been the manager at Southland for eight years, said he did not hesitate in accepting the job, and it was an honour to make a move into the Highlanders.
He will be replacing Greg O'Brien as Highlanders manager.
O'Brien is still involved in the team in the new role of operations manager, which will see him off the road after five years as manager.
Rutledge (58), who will be based in Dunedin during the season, will be on the road during the six month-long Super 15 season.
The Highlanders will begin their season with a match against the Hurricanes in Wellington on February 18.
