Former Chiefs prop James McGougan has signed for Otago for the next two seasons as the province continues to build a side for the upcoming ITM Cup.
Otago Rugby Football Union general manager Richard Reid said the union had been on the lookout for a prop for some time and was pleased to get a player of the capability of McGougan.
He had played provincial rugby for Bay of Plenty and played for the Chiefs for two years in 2009-10.
But a back injury had led to him missing all rugby since early last year.
Reid said the union had done all its research on his injury and was confident he was fully fit for the provincial season.
McGougan had played as late as last month at second five-eighth for his club side in Whakatane, as he struggled to recover from his back injury.
He was in Dunedin over the weekend, and would return in a couple of weeks. It had not been decided what club he would play for.
"Prop has been a bit of an issue with us but now we have got three signed [McGougan, Halani Aulika and Kees Meeuws] and with one or two more coming out of club rugby then we could have five or so, and with the nature of the tight campaign we may need them all," Reid said.
He said McGougan was probably not the last of the signings for Otago with two or three more to come though, they would come from club rugby players.
Hooker Sam Anderson-Heather was in doubt after complications from a broken leg he suffered last year.
McGougan's signing brings to 12 players signed to Otago from outside the province since last season.
Reid said this would not lead to an increased wage bill, as players had simply swapped with others who had not been offered new contracts or had left the province.
The new boys
Players signed to Otago from outside the province in past six months.-
Lock Daniel Ramsay (Wellington), lock Rob Verbakel (Canterbury), loose forward Daniel Crichton (Auckland), first five Tony Brown (Japan), first five Tony Fenner (England), midfield back Ben Atiga (Auckland), winger Hanipale Galo (Wellington), outside back Buxton Popoali'i (Wellington), flanker TJ Ioane (Wellington), flanker Regan Tamihere (Auckland), midfield back Sam Giddens (Italy), prop James McGougan (Bay of Plenty).
Otago Rugby Football Union general manager Richard Reid said the union had been on the lookout for a prop for some time and was pleased to get a player of the capability of McGougan.
He had played provincial rugby for Bay of Plenty and played for the Chiefs for two years in 2009-10.
But a back injury had led to him missing all rugby since early last year.
Reid said the union had done all its research on his injury and was confident he was fully fit for the provincial season.
McGougan had played as late as last month at second five-eighth for his club side in Whakatane, as he struggled to recover from his back injury.
He was in Dunedin over the weekend, and would return in a couple of weeks. It had not been decided what club he would play for.
"Prop has been a bit of an issue with us but now we have got three signed [McGougan, Halani Aulika and Kees Meeuws] and with one or two more coming out of club rugby then we could have five or so, and with the nature of the tight campaign we may need them all," Reid said.
He said McGougan was probably not the last of the signings for Otago with two or three more to come though, they would come from club rugby players.
Hooker Sam Anderson-Heather was in doubt after complications from a broken leg he suffered last year.
McGougan's signing brings to 12 players signed to Otago from outside the province since last season.
Reid said this would not lead to an increased wage bill, as players had simply swapped with others who had not been offered new contracts or had left the province.
The new boys
Players signed to Otago from outside the province in past six months.-
Lock Daniel Ramsay (Wellington), lock Rob Verbakel (Canterbury), loose forward Daniel Crichton (Auckland), first five Tony Brown (Japan), first five Tony Fenner (England), midfield back Ben Atiga (Auckland), winger Hanipale Galo (Wellington), outside back Buxton Popoali'i (Wellington), flanker TJ Ioane (Wellington), flanker Regan Tamihere (Auckland), midfield back Sam Giddens (Italy), prop James McGougan (Bay of Plenty).
