Newby signs with Leicester

Highlanders and Otago captain Craig Newby has confirmed he will be leaving New Zealand at the end of the year to join Guinness Premiership club Leicester.

Highlanders and Otago captain Craig Newby has confirmed he will be leaving New Zealand at the end of the year to join Guinness Premiership club Leicester.

Newby is the latest in a long line of players heading to the northern hemisphere, including former team-mate Nick Evans, who announced earlier this week he is to join Harlequins.

Newby, who played three Tests for the All Blacks between 2004 and 2006, first played for the Highlanders as a draft player in 2002 and made his debut for Otago as captain in 2005 when he captained the province against the British and Irish Lions.

The 28-year-old loose forward will play his 66th game for the Highlanders at Carisbrook on Saturday when they take on the Blues, who Newby played for in 2001.

“I've thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Highlanders and Otago and living in Dunedin but I'm now at a stage where I need to secure my future overseas,” he said.

New Zealand Rugby Union general manager of professional rugby Neil Sorensen said Newby, who has also played for the New Zealand Sevens team and the Junior All Blacks, had given outstanding service to rugby in New Zealand.

“Craig is a great servant of the game and a player who has made a massive contribution to rugby on and off the field,” said Sorensen.

“We wish him well as he prepares for a new challenge.”