Hore comes out of retirement

Andrew Hore is returning to the game, at first-class level, after cutting his retirement short to join the Southland Stags.

The 35-year-old All Blacks hooker has joined the NPC side as injury cover, after the Stags lost veteran Jason Rutledge to a bicep injury for the rest of the season.

The Stags confirmed that Hore is training with the squad, but said he would only take part if Southland's two remaining hookers, Tua Tuapati and Dillon Halaholo, get injured.

It is understood that Stags captain Jamie Mackintosh got in contact with Hore over a possible return to help out the side.

Hore, who turns 36 in two weeks, retired from the game last year, though he has since played for the British Barbarians and a World XV side.

Round Three NPC fixtures and results:

Waikato 17-46 Taranaki

Canterbury v Northland

Wellington v Manawatu

Counties Manukau v Hawke's Bay

Southland v Otago

North Harbour v Waikato

Taranaki v Bay of Plenty

Auckland v Tasman

Source: 3 News