View photosKEY POINTS:
Clint Newland was felling a more acceptable brand of tall timber when he learned of his new rugby assignment in the deep south.
Remembered exclusively for his season-ending hook to the jaw of All Blacks and Wellington prop Neemia Tialata, Newland has emerged from the Hawke's Bay wilderness to potentially reinvent himself as the new Carl Hayman.
Newland, who served a 10-week suspension for his shoddy treatment of Tialata as the Magpies secured the first boilover of their stunning season, may have thought he was destined for a lengthy stint in the forestry industry.
But the 27-year-old, 1.96-metre 130kg front rower was diverted from his grunt work in Puketapu yesterday when Highlanders coach Glenn Moore told him he was one of eight players drafted to Carisbrook.
The Highlanders front row was in need of bookends following the departures of Hayman and Clarke Dermody and although Newland played just two Air NZ Cup games way back in August, the Hawke's Bay enforcer always registered on Moore's radar.
"He's been on the radar for a while, Clint was someone we had a focus on at the start of the season."
Moore sees Newland as a tighthead and with Southland man mountain Jamie Mackintosh a developing loosehead, the Highlanders are still capable of forming an imposing barricade.
"Clint was showing great signs through the Air NZ Cup until his unfortunate event," Moore said.
"He's shown he's adapted to that top side, I think him working in conjunction with (scrum coach) Steve Cumberland will see some real advancement there.
"We think he can be a player for the future, he's very strong and powerful.
"We need guys down here that are prepared to really fight for their team," Moore said before quickly adding: "I don't mean with fists.
"We're going to have to scrap for everything we get."
- NZPA
