Highlanders nab Wallabies prop
Rebels prop Jermaine Ainsley is coming home in 2021, signing a two-year deal with the Highlanders after a five-year spell across the ditch during which he collected three Wallabies caps.
The 24-year-old tighthead was born in Clyde, central Otago, and attended Otago Boys’ High School before heading to west Australia and linking up first with the Western Force and then the Rebels.
The Highlanders have signed Ainsley to bolster their front-row options as they continue to rebuild their squad for 2021.
‘‘Even though Jermaine is only 24 he already has a wealth of experience with over 50 games Super Rugby games and also some exposure at test level,’’ said Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger.
‘‘The fact that he has a strong link with our region and club history makes it all the better’’.
Ainsley was in strong form for the Rebels before the Covid-19 lockdown, and was part of an excellent Rebels scrummaging performance against the Highlanders in February.
He is the son of former Otago, Highlanders and All Blacks prop Joe McDonnell and made his Wallabies debut against the All Blacks in 2018.
‘‘I’m very excited to be coming home and be surrounded by family,’’ Ainsley said. ‘‘I can’t wait to play Super Rugby in New Zealand. It’s a dream come true.’’
Ainsley will follow a similar path to Tyrel Lomax, who joined the Highlanders after making a name for himself with the Rebels.
The tighthead’s arrival will put pressure on Josh Iosefa-Scott to retain his place in next year’s squad.
The Waikato big man has enjoyed limited opportunities at the Highlanders and struggled at scrum time during their preseason game against the Waratahs in January.
Siate Tokolahi has established himself as the top tighthead in Dunedin this year, with Jeff Thwaites the preferred bench option.
Ainsley is unlikely to be the last arrival or departure at the Highlanders before next season.
They have already added Nehe Milner-Skudder, Sam Gilbert and injury replacement Tom Florence (in for Sione Misiloi) for Super Rugby Aotearoa, and coach Aaron Mauger last week reveal that some players ‘‘were playing for contracts’’.
Iosefa-Scott, Michael Collins, Tevita Nabura and Josh McKay are among those coming off contract and there is plenty of heat for spots in the outside backs with Connor Garden-Bachop set to be available in 2021 after injury ruined his campaign this year before it even started.
Highlanders CEO Roger Clark revealed in May that the franchise was holding ‘‘weekly’’ recruitment meetings.
The Highlanders started Super Rugby Aotearoa with a gutsy win against the Chiefs on Saturday but there is still a relative lack of size in the back three, especially with Nabura missing the past two seasons with injury.
The inexperience of the squad was a factor in the first part of the year.