Stags sign Highlanders outside back
The Southland Stags have pulled off a major coup signing impressive Highlanders outside back Solomon Alaimalo for this year’s National Provincial Championship.
Rugby Southland has confirmed Alaimalo will link with the Stags in what is Rugby Southland’s biggest signings in many years.
Alaimalo will join his younger brother Charles Alaimalo in Southland, with Charles spending the past two seasons in the Stags setup.
It is understood Solomon rejected bigger offers from other provincial unions to join the Stags.
The 25-year-old played 44 Super Rugby games for the Chiefs from 2017 through to last year before this season joining the Highlanders. He has also played for Northland, Tasman and Waikato at provincial level.
Stags coach Dale MacLeod was an assistant coach with Northland when Alaimalo played there.
He was thrilled Alaimalo had chosen to play in Southland.
‘‘He’s a player that any union would be happy to sign up in a heartbeat. We are really excited about getting him into our setup.
‘‘Solomon will add a new dimension to our attack this season. It’s also a great opportunity for him to play alongside his brother Charles, which is pretty special.’’
MacLeod said the signing has been in the pipeline for some time.
‘‘To be fair, this is something I have been working on with Solomon ever since I started with Rugby Southland.
‘‘It reinforces to me that we are starting to create an environment in the deep south that quality people want to be part of.’’
Alaimalo will join the SIT Zero Fees Southland Stags in July for the preseason after his Super Rugby campaign. He was handed the No 15 jersey for the Highlanders’ season opener against the Crusaders in Dunedin last night.