The player the Chiefs wanted to sign as cover for Richard Kahui has been confirmed as former All Blacks centre Casey Laulala.
Laulala, the former Crusaders player, has been with Munster in Ireland for the past three seasons. It is understood that Munster coach Rob Penney, a former Canterbury player and coach, had given the okay for the 31-year-old to move back to New Zealand on a short-term loan, but it was knocked back by the New Zealand Rugby Union.
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie said he had looked overseas for a player to replace Kahui, out for the rest of the season with another shoulder injury, but was told no as it was outside the April 1 cut-off.
The NZRU did not return calls this afternoon.
