KEY POINTS:
New Zealand flanker Josh Blackie is returning from Japan to play in next year's Super 14.
Blackie, 29, who is currently playing for club side Kobe Steel, has signed a two-year contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union and the Auckland Rugby Union and will be available for the Blues squad for 2009.
The Junior All Black, New Zealand Sevens player and former Highlanders and Otago captain played 55 games for the Highlanders and 73 for Otago before heading to Japan at the end of last year's Super 14.
But long-serving halfback Danny Lee is leaving Hawke's Bay at the end of this year's NPC campaign.
Halfback Lee, a two-test All Black six years ago, announced today that tomorrow's Air NZ Cup quarterfinal would be his last match at McLean Park.
The well-travelled 32-year-old ends his second stint with the province at the end of this campaign after playing a prominent role in rebuilding the team once it was promoted to the revamped 14-team competition.
"When we were promoted to the Air New Zealand Cup at the end of 2005 it was crucial that we brought more professionalism and experience at playing at the highest level to the squad environment for the challenge that lay ahead," said Hawke's Bay Rugby Union chief executive Mike Bishop.
"Danny has provided all of that. His thoroughly professional approach both on and off the field has been a major factor in the Magpies' successful transition to this level."
- NZPA, NZ HERALD STAFF
