Rugby: Injury-plagued Highlanders seek out old boy Delany

Colin Slade. Photo / Getty Images

One-time Highlander Mike Delany returns to his old franchise this week as part of a five eighths rescue package for Saturday's clash with the unbeaten Stormers.

Serious injuries to Colin Slade and Lima Sopoaga have removed them from the Super 15 and the side needs some backup for Chris Noakes.

The 29-year-old Delany has been playing for the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan, but has been released to help out his former team.

Delany played for the Highlanders as a draft pick in 2008 and the next year was promoted to the All Blacks for his solitary test against Italy.

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph acknowledged Delany was "the guy we're after". "We've been talking to him and he's keen to join us.

"There's just a few wee contractual things to sort out. Hopefully we can sort it out soon."

The Highlanders regained All Black lock Jarrad Hoeata at the weekend after his chest injury and he should bring more sting to the pack for what will be a serious inquisition from the Stormers pack.

They outlasted the Bulls 20-17 in a torrid contest at Cape Town to maintain their unbeaten run but now have to make the long journey to Dunedin for the start of their offshore itinerary.

Meanwhile the Australian conference looks the most shaky with four of their sides beaten and victory for the Force only lifting them off the bottom of the table.

They hosted the Super 15 champions, the Reds, and destroyed them 45-19. The Reds remain second equal in the conference but with five eighths Quade Cooper, Mike Harris and Ben Lucas all injured, they are struggling to find someone to run their backline.

The defeat was the first three-match losing sequence the Reds have suffered since 2009. They lost 27-22 to the Sharks and were belted 61-8 by the Bulls before the weekend woes where they had little response to the Force forwards.