Skud zeroes in on south

Milner-Skudder turns down Canes to head to the Highlanders as Sam Whitelock also returns

Nehe Milner-Skudder has turned down an offer to return to the Hurricanes, in favour of a contract with the Highlanders. The former All Black had signed with Toulon in December 2018 with a view to joining the French club following the 2019 Super Rugby season. However, a recurring shoulder injury and the onset of Covid-19 prevented that happening, and now the 29-year-old has been confirmed to link with the Highlanders for Super Rugby Aotearoa, turning down the Hurricanes, with whom he spent five seasons.

“We had a contract offer in front of him, but he decided he wanted to go to the Highlanders,” said Hurricanes coach Jason Holland. “He had a look at all the pluses and minuses of both sides and he decided it was best to be at the Highlanders. That was Skudz’s call and he had to do what was best for him,” said Holland.

The Manawatu wing burst on to the Super Rugby scene in 2015, helping the Hurricanes to the final and earning a place in the All Blacks’ 2015 World Cupwinning squad.

Milner-Skudder scored six tries at the tournament — including one in the final against Australia — and was named World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year.

However, the versatile speedster has been hampered by a frustrating run of injuries in the time since, and played just five more test matches.

New Zealand’s five Super Rugby sides will reassemble next week to begin preparations for Super Rugby Aotearoa, with the Highlanders hosting the Chiefs to open the competition on Saturday, June 13. Milner-Skudder’s first chance to face his former side will come on July 12 in Wellington.

Meanwhile, the Crusaders have confirmed a massive boost for the hastily altered 2020 campaign with veteran test lock Sam Whitelock returning to the squad.

Whitelock was going to miss this Super Rugby season after taking up a contract with the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan but Crusaders coach Scott Robertson confirmed Whitelock’s Japan contract ended in May, so the All Blacks lock and former captain would be available when Super Rugby kicks off next month.

Robertson, beaten by Ian Foster for the All Blacks job, also confirmed he would love to coach in the proposed ABs trial match later in the season.