Loose forward Gareth Evans has signed a two-year deal with Hawkes Bay and will turn out for the Magpies next season, after playing 33 games for Otago over the past three seasons.
Evans joins captain and No 8 Paul Grant as defections from this year's Otago team. Grant signed a short-term deal with French club Montpellier and left for Europe last month.
Evans' departure is a blow for Otago as the loose forward was one of the key players for the team this season, but Otago Rugby Football Union general manager Richard Kinley said his departure was not about money.
Evans (22) hails from Hawkes Bay, and came south for his university studies, but now that those studies are finished he has decided to head back home.
He told Hawkes Bay Today he was keen to return home and follow in the footsteps of his brother, former All Black lock Bryn, who also played for Hawkes Bay.
Evans finished a bachelor of science degree last month, majoring in environmental management.
He is set to make his debut for the Highlanders next season after signing a two-year deal with the franchise.
With Hawkes Bay captain Mike Coman and experienced loose forward Karl Lowe heading overseas, the Magpies were looking for more cover in the loose forwards and Evans fitted the bill.
Kinley said it was just part of life that Evans had moved on.
''He was off contract, and they made him an offer. He has family in Hawkes Bay and I believe his girlfriend has got a job in Auckland,'' Kinley said.
''It made pretty good sense to him to go back there. That is the life of a semi-professional rugby player.''
Otago had good depth in the loose forward department, Kinley said. Evans' departure just gave another chance to a club player to come through the ranks, something which Evans did, making his debut for Otago after impressing for the Dunedin club side.
Kinley said he did not believe the departure of Evans came down to money.
''As far as I am aware there was never any discussion around money and the offer not being enough. I don't know what Hawkes Bay offered. We have got a philosophy here to not go above the ceiling we have and pay over the odds.
''Did we not offer enough? I do not know. We never had an opportunity to make a counter-offer.
''You've got to weigh up where he wanted to be.''
Kinley said the union was starting to come into period of contract negotiations and as far as he knew no other players were looking to move on.
Evans' departure to Hawkes Bay is another blow to the Dunedin club. It has lost fullback Liam Edwards, who is also moving to Hawkes Bay, while dynamic halfback Brad Weber has signed with Waikato and the Chiefs.
