Highlanders rope in younsters

Highlander: Johnny Leota

Promising Taranaki fly-half Jayden Hayward is joining three other North Islanders on a transfer to the Otago Rugby Football Union, making them eligible for Highlanders selection in the 2009 Super 14.

Hayward will join the Manawatu pair of Hayden Triggs and Johnny Leota, plus Clint Newland of Hawke's Bay, each of whom played for the Highlanders as draft players this year.

The four are all transferring to Otago, which makes them eligible for the Highlanders, but each will be loaned back to their home provinces for the 2009 Air New Zealand Cup.

Otago and Highlanders chief executive Richard Reid said it was an ideal arrangement because in the case of Triggs, Leota and Newland, it provides coach Glenn Moore with continuity from the squad that showed so much promise this year.

"We've always argued that you can't build a team in one year," Reid told the Highlanders website.

"Some continuity is essential and this arrangement provides that. Securing someone with the talent of Hayward is a bonus."