KEY POINTS:
New Hurricanes hooker, Tone Kopelani, has signed a two-year deal to play for Wellington in the Air New Zealand Cup rugby competition.
Kopelani, 28, a former Junior Kiwis league player, switched to rugby union in 1998 and has been part of the Canterbury squad since 2001.
He made his Crusaders debut in 2004 and now has 31 Super rugby caps to his name.
Wellington coach Aussie McLean was delighted to have secured Kopelani's signature.
"Tone is a very experienced player: a dynamic individual and a proven performer at Super 14 level," McLean said.
"He has been a key part of a very successful team and if he had chosen to make himself available to Samoa, he would certainly be an international player by now."
Kopelani is excited at the prospect of a new challenge with Wellington.
"It's been a bit frustrating at Canterbury as I've not been getting much game time," Kopelani said.
"This is a really good opportunity for me and I'm looking forward to the challenge.
"I enjoyed working with Aussie McLean when he was at Canterbury and it's good to link up with him again," the 1.80m, 106kg forward said.
- NZPA
