Unwanted Highlander heads to UK

Samoan flank TJ Ioane, unwanted by the Highlanders for Super Rugby, has joined the Sale Sharks until the end of the English Premiership season.

The 25-year-old, who previously also played for Otago, has signed for the rest of the campaign and he has already been integrated into the Sale squad.

A member of the New Zealand schools side back in 2007, Ioane was part of the Samoan Test side that played England in November and as well as playing as a blindside flank, he can also operate as a No.8.

Sale boss Steve Diamond has hailed his capture.

"TJ is a great signing for us and I am sure that he will become a very valuable member of our squad and be very popular with our fans," Diamond said.

"He joined us because he wants to play abroad and expand his rugby," Diamond added.

Ioane, who arrived in Manchester on Monday, having travelled 12,000 miles from Wellington in New Zealand and who has already trained with the Sharks squad, revealed he was eager to prove himself in the Premiership.

"I'm looking forward to getting an opportunity to play for Sale," he said.

"I'll have to quickly learn the calls and team pattern first with the season being halfway through and then hopefully I can be included in the matchday 23 squad.

"Hopefully, Sale will see that I tackle hard and run hard and that I can bring some enthusiasm and aggression to the forwards and the defence."