McNicholl on the crusade to Scarlets

McNicholl, who is in his fourth season with the BNZ Crusaders, said he had been approached by the Scarlets Club and agreed to a 2.5 year contract beginning at the end of 2016.  

"I am at a stage in my life that I would like to do some more travel while I don’t have family commitments back in New Zealand, and I am so fortunate to be able to do that with my rugby career,” McNicholl said. 

“The Scarlets club appeals because they are a successful team that plays a similar brand of rugby to the Crusaders, and working under a Kiwi coach in Wayne Pivac will make that transition easier.

“Leaving the Crusaders and Canterbury Rugby will be extremely hard though because they are both teams that I love and feel incredibly privileged to have played for.  

"I will definitely miss my teammates and the whole team culture here, but I’ll be the biggest Crusaders and Canterbury supporter living in Wales.”

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said McNicholl was a special player who would be sorely missed in the team: “Johnny is a rare talent.  His speed and ability to break through tackles has never been on better display than in the last couple of games, and we are loving seeing Johnny back to his best after a frustrating run with injuries over recent years.  

"He is a superb team man who is much respected by all of those who have had the pleasure of working and playing with him.  

"We will miss him but look forward to a fantastic final season with him."

Canterbury assistant coach Joe Maddock said McNicholl would be missed for his rugby skills but more importantly his friendship: “Johnny is an outstanding player, but the reason he’s been so successful at Canterbury is primarily because he’s such a good bloke.  

"He reads the game better than most wingers and knows how to put himself in the right place at the right time, he has a phenomenal work rate, but he is also just a great guy. 

"We’ll be determined to make his final season in red and black a memorable one though.”