ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Wednesday Jul 12, 2023

Highlanders sign Welsh international for 2024 Super Rugby season

Super Rugby franchise the Highlanders have announced the signing of Welsh international playmaker Rhys Patchell for the 2024 season.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 30-year-old joins the side from Welsh United Rugby Championship team the Scarlets.

Following in the footsteps of James Haskell and more recently Freddie Burns as a Six Nations international, the 22-times capped Patchell said of his move to Dunedin.

“I’m delighted to be joining the Highlanders for the upcoming Super Rugby season,” said Patchell, who was not included in Wales’s extended training squad for the World Cup.

“The opportunity to head to Dunedin was too good to turn down.

“Having watched Super Rugby from afar, I’m excited for the 2024 season to begin.”

Patchell will join a side that will be without veteran scrumhalf Aaron Smith who has already confirmed that he will be playing his rugby in Japan next season.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 34-year-old who has been with the Highlanders since 2011 leaves a major leadership gap in the crucial halfback role.

Thus, Patchell’s signing will help mitigate some of the lost experience and help the talented young Highlanders in particular 23-year-old scrumhalf Folau Fakatava.

The twice capped All Black Fakatava will almost certainly be first choice for the Highlanders next season and will benefit from Patchell’s experience.

In addition to Fakatava,21-year-old flyhalf Cameron Miller will no doubt be watching Patchell as he looks to take the next step in his professional career.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    Matt Giteau names the greatest centre from...

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    Time to clear the schedule as Premiership...

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    United Rugby Championship 2023/24 fixture...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    South African schoolboy produces the greatest goosey in the sport

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Individual brilliance as player scores off his own kick off

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Match Report: Australia challenge the All Black HAKA in extraordinary test

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Tom Curry receives ban following red card tackle against Argentina

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Off the ball 'punches' being called out by fans following All Blacks vs Springbok match

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Scott Barrett's World Cup on the rocks following reckless shoulder charge

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Bizarre tackle school video divides viewers

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Springbok fans given a scare as Kolbe takes back-breaking hit

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Dane Coles stunned as he hears news of Steve Hansen joining the Wallabies

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Moment of madness leads to incredible Springbok score

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Individual brilliance as player scores off his own kick off

View All

Funnies

  • 4 HOURS AGO

    Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber offers ice cold response at the press conference

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Stone Cole’d: Dan Cole channels his inner Steve Austin in brilliant behind the scenes action

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Chaos ensues as off-field substitute is caught up in try scoring opportunity

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Springboks set to sing additional song post national anthem in future test matches

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Brian O'Driscoll unburdens himself with huge confession in classic Guinness advert

View All

Amateur

  • 37 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 37 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 60 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 60 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 60 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Drew Mitchell Vs. Johnny Sexton: The untold story

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Namibia captain receives awful backlash from trolls on social media following unfortunate DuPont hit

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Exclusive: David Campese calls for inquiry into Australian rugby as he provides explosive thoughts on the World Cup

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Stone Cole’d: Dan Cole channels his inner Steve Austin in brilliant behind the scenes action

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Chaos ensues as off-field substitute is caught up in try scoring opportunity

View All