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Nehe Milner-Skudder is a Highlander for the 2020 and 2021 Super Rugby seasons.
The Highlanders confirmed the signing of the former All Blacks and Hurricanes wing on Wednesday in a deal that will add significant X-factor and experience to their back line.
Martin Hunter / Getty-Images
Nehe Milner-Skudder tries to evade the Crusaders’ Tim Bateman during the 2018 Super Rugby season.
“I’ve heard some unreal things about the club and the culture at the Highlanders,” Milner-Skudder said in a statement.
“I’m really looking forward to the move to Dunedin and embracing everything it has to offer.
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“I’m excited for this new opportunity and can’t wait to get into some mahi with the boys and lace up the boots for the Highlanders.”
The Highlanders also announced that Otago star Vilimoni Koroi will join the franchise immediately, now that his Olympic All Blacks Sevens duties have been suspended.
Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger welcomed Milner-Skudder’s arrival, saying: “This was a great opportunity to include a player with his experience into our squad.
“His style of play suits the way the Highlanders play the game, especially under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium, and we look forward to welcoming him into the team.”
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Nehe Milner-Skudder’s last game for the All Blacks was against Japan in Tokyo in November, 2018.
The Highlanders have lost three backs, Tevita Nabura, Thomas Umaga Jensen and Connor Garden Bachop, to season-ending injuries this year, which allowed Milner-Skudder and Koroi to join the squad.
After playing a key role in the All Blacks Rugby World Cup campaign in 2015, Milner-Skudder endured multiple shoulder surgeries.
He was unable to take up a three-year with Toulon in 2019 after going under the knife again, and it appeared the game might have seen the last of the 29-year-old.
Milner-Skudder has made just 13 appearances for the All Blacks, the last of them coming in late 2018, but created a huge impact in the black jersey because of his footwork and skill.
Earlier on Wednesday, Hurricanes coach Jason Holland told Newstalk ZB that Milner-Skudder had turned down the Hurricanes to shift south.
“We had a contract offer in front of him, but he decided I wanted to go to the Highlanders,” Holland said.
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Vilimoni Koroi will also to the Highlanders’ backline options after his NZ Sevens duties were suspended.
“He had a look at all the plusses and minuses of both sides and I’ve decided it was best for Nehe Milner-Skudder to be at the Highlanders.
“That was Skudz’s call and he had to do what was best for him.”
Milner-Skudder is likely to be a strong contender for the Highlanders No 14 jersey this season, a position that has been problematic for Mauger’s side.
There will also be scrutiny on whether his body can withstand what is likely to be a brutal Super Rugby Aotearoa competition, with each side facing eight New Zealand derbies in 10 weeks.
Nonetheless, Milner-Skudder undoubted class and star power will be welcomed by Highlanders fans in the deep south after some uninspiring performances in the first part of the year.
