It may be a case of one Dan making way for another when the Hawke's Bay Magpies ITM Cup rugby squad is announced in July.
Magpies coach Craig Philpott confirmed yesterday former Magpie and 2005 New Zealand under-21 representative Dan Waenga will return to the Bay from Spain in May. First five-eighth Waenga, 26, played 24 games for the Magpies from 2006 to 2008 and 19 for Bay of Plenty in 2010 and last year.
Philpott also confirmed Hurricanes pivot Daniel Kirkpatrick hasn't been contracted by the Hawke's Bay union for this year.
"Daniel is a professional player and will be looking at other options," Philpott said.
Kirkpatrick played for Hawke's Bay last year and in 2010. A Napier Boys' High School product like Waenga, Kirkpatrick, 23, made his first class debut for Wellington in 2007. He played Super Rugby in 2009 with the Hurricanes and with the Blues in 2010.