Wheeler's Highlanders return confirmed
Wheeler (27) has signed for the Suntory team in the Japan Top league for the 2016/17 season.
He will not be lining up for the Tasman Makos in the NPC this coming season.
When his deal to go to Japan was announced in May, Wheeler said he was keen to stay with the Highlanders for next year.
Highlanders Chief Executive, Roger Clark confirmed that Wheeler had been signed to play for the Highlanders in 2017.
Wheeler had been given permission by Suntory to return for the Super Rugby competition and, depending on how Suntory goes in the Japanese league, may be back to play in the first game of next year's competition.
Wheeler is a key member of the Highlanders, both on and off the field.
The lock first played Super Rugby for the Crusaders, but moved south in 2013.
He was hindered by injury in his first year in Dunedin and was used as a blindside flank.
The following year Wheeler moved into lock and has stayed there, being one of the more useful second row forwards in New Zealand.
Wing Patrick Osborne will play for the Kubota Spears in the Japan Top league next season and then also return to play for the Highlanders.
While wing Tevita Li is also joining the franchise from the Blues.
The rest of the players for next year will be picked from the domestic competition, starting next month.
Source: Otago Daily Times
