Harlequins sign Super Rugby winner Reddish

Super Rugby winning second rower Mark Reddish will leave New Zealand to play for English Premiership club Harlequins after the Super Rugby season completes.

Twenty-nine-year-old Reddish made his Super Rugby debut for the Hurricanes against the Highlanders in 2011 and then joined the Dunedin based franchise in 2015.

In his first season with the Highlanders, he made 14 appearances and started in the Super Rugby final, beating his former club 14-21. Later that year he was selected in the New Zealand Barbarians team which beat the Maori All-Blacks 34-17 at Eden Park.

Having played close to 50 Super Rugby matches, Reddish will arrive with a wealth of experience. The six foot five second-row is a reliable lineout jumper with a high work rate and physical presence on the field.

Confirming the news Harlequins Director of Rugby John Kingston said: “Mark will join in the autumn once his ITM commitments are concluded in New Zealand.

“He will provide a huge injection of experience and know-how to the group at a time when we traditionally lose players to international commitments. His ability to play in both the second and back rows will provide additional flexibility.

“Mark’s physical and uncompromising style will make him an invaluable part of the squad and we all look forward to welcoming him to Harlequins later in the year.”

Commenting on the announcement, Reddish added: “When I was approached about an opportunity to play at Harlequins I had no hesitation at all in agreeing to accept. It is an iconic club with a great history in its 150th Season, some amazing fans, a great coaching team and playing roster and they also play an exciting style of rugby.

“My family and I are looking forward to the move to London and to meeting up with the squad and my new team mates once my commitments with The Highlanders and Wellington Lions have finished.”