Hoeata swaps Cardiff Blues for North Harbour

North Harbour have announced the signing of former All Blacks lock Jarrad Hoeata from Cardiff Blues for the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup.

Hoeata's experience speaks for itself with three Tests for the All Blacks, 66 games for Taranaki, 52 for the Highlanders, nine for New Zealand Maori, and 62 for the Blues.

North Harbour Head Coach Tom Coventry said that Hoeata brings experience in spades, at a time where replacements were required after the 2016 season.

"Jarrad's entry into Harbour is on the back of losing last years captain and lock Chris Vui to Europe," he told North Harbour's official website. 

"We've been looking within the Union to replace Chris's experience, and this coincides with Jarrad's contract coming to an end at the Cardiff Blues and him wanting to return to New Zealand. 

"He believes he's still got plenty to offer the NPC, and still has a desire to play Super Rugby again, so he brings that experience that we possibly lose with Chris. 

"To me it was an opportunity to put his experience into our squad. He brings a hard-nosed, uncompromising attitude to the way he plays the game, so brings that to our squad as well."

Photo credit: Cardiff Blues website