Highlanders scrumhalf joins Pro14 side
TRANSFER NEWS: Zebre Rugby confirmed the signing of New Zealand scrumhalf Joshua Renton who has joined the Parma-based franchise from the Highlanders in Super Rugby.
Born and raised in Dunedin, the 24-year-old player started playing rugby in his hometown high school, the Otago Boys High School, becoming captain of the team in his final year.
His professional career began in the local Otago team, debuting in the NPC Cup in 2013, against local Southland rivals. In 2014 he took part in the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in New Zealand, representing his national team with four appearances.
After impressing for the local team, the Highlanders called him into the training squad for the 2015 season, making his debut in the eleventh Round against the Brumbies. During his first year in the tournament, he was able to learn from several All Blacks such as Aaron and Ben Smith, Naholo, Fekitoa, Sopoaga and the Japanese international Tanaka.
In his second year, after three appearances, an injury forced Renton to skip the entire season but the new coach Tony Brown confirmed him in the 2017 Super Rugby squad for the Highlanders. His last season in New Zealand ended a few weeks ago, with the defeat in the NPC Championship final on October 13th in Hamilton against Wakaito.
In his career, he has 43 appearances in the NPC Cup and a total of eight in Super Rugby with the Highlanders, with whom he also played a prestigious friendly against the British & Irish Lions on tour in New Zealand in 2017.
Zebre team manager Andrea De Rossi: "The injury to Italian international Violi forced us to return to the market, and we are very happy to have found a player of the same level.
"The deal was quick and simple; Renton showed immediately a great desire to get involved in this challenge, signing up until the end of the season with the option of staying in Italy also for the 2019-20 season.
"He arrives from a great kiwi province like Otago and has good experience behind him; he is a dynamic player with very good skills. We are happy with this new signing, especially because he’s a player ready to play for Zebre,"
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