Big Man in Front

Hawke’s Bay prop Clint Newland, 3, has signed a three-month deal with Irish side Leinster. “He’s a big man,” Leinster coach Joe Schmidt said. “He’s 6ft 3ins, 130 kilos, so we think he’s pretty capable of locking down a scrum. He’s come out of Hawke’s Bay but he’s played a lot of Super 14 with the Otago Highlanders.” Newland has featured for Hawke’s Bay 94 times in the National Provincial Championship (NPC) since his debut in 1999 and in 24 games for the Highlanders in the Super 14/15 since 28. He also represented New Zealand Maori during this summer’s centenary series and started their victory over England.