Chiefs snap up Mackintosh
Super Rugby champions, the Chiefs have signed Highlanders loosehead prop Jamie Mackintosh for two years.
The 1.93m, 130kg prop will move to Hamilton at the end of the year after his NPC campaign with the Southland Stags.
The Southland captain has played 92 matches for the Stags, 67 for the Highlanders and one Test for the All Blacks.
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie said: "Jamie is a crucial signing for us. He is a bloody good man and we are rapt to have him.
"Jamie is an experienced player and a strong leader. We know he will be a major contributor both on and off the field and we are looking forward to working with him," added Rennie.
Mackintosh is excited by his new challenge. "My whole life I have been a real Southern man and to have the opportunity to work with a new group of guys, experience a new piece of New Zealand and learn about its people is very exciting.
"Loyalty is one of my strongest values, so it was a tough decision to leave a franchise that I have always called home. I would like to thank the Highlanders for being a huge part of my life and I will always be very proud to have played for and captained them – it was always a dream of mine growing up.
"In order for me to grow as a player I feel the time is right for me to have a change and I would like thank the Chiefs for showing faith in me and giving me this opportunity," he said.
