17 Apr 2012

All Black first five back with Highlanders

4:37 pm on 17 April 2012

The one test All Blacks first five Mike Delany and former Highlanders loose forward Hale T-Pole, are both re-joining the Dunedin based super rugby franchise on short term contracts.

Delany, who played for the Highlanders four years ago has been playing in Japan and comes in as injury cover for Colin Slade and Lima Sopoaga.

Delany played nine games for the Highlanders in 2008 before playing for the Chiefs for the next three years and then moving to Japan last year.

T-Pole a former Otago and Southland player, who played for the Highlanders between 2004 and 2007, has been based in Japan since 2008.

He joins the squad on a three week contract as cover for loose forward John Hardie, who's suffered a season ending foot injury.