Rugby: Delany and T-Pole join Highlanders

Former Highlanders Mike Delany and Hale T-Pole have re-joined the franchise as cover for the injury-hit squad. Delany, a Highlander in 2008, has been playing rugby in Japan and will cover first-five following serious injuries to Colin Slade and Lima Sopoaga. Delany played nine games for the Highlanders in 2008 before heading to the Chiefs in 2009. He travelled to Japan to play club rugby at the end of the 2011 season. Delany was selected for the All Blacks in 2010 and played one test match against Italy in Milan. A former Otago and Southland representative, T-Pole has joined the squad as temporary cover for loose forward John Hardie, who has sustained a season-ending foot injury. T-Pole made his debut for the Highlanders in 2004 against the Cats and then went on to play 19 games for the Highlanders between 2004 and 2007. He has been playing in Japan since 2008, most recently for the Ricoh Black Rams.