Rugby: Morland heads for six months with Munster

Otago and Chiefs halfback Toby Morland has signed a six-month contract with Munster and will not be available for Super 14 rugby next year.

Morland (26) flew from Dunedin yesterday with wife Kate and will have a holiday in Italy before joining Munster on July 1.

"I wanted a short-term contract for a start," Morland told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.

"I will then carry on or look elsewhere. I'm keen to get experience overseas and live a different lifestyle."

Morland will be the fifth New Zealand player in the Munster squad, the most noted of the rest being former All Black Doug Howlett.

Munster won the Heineken Cup two years ago.

Morland, who played 47 games for Otago between 2002 and 2008, was not wanted by the Highlanders this year and was picked up by the Chiefs as a draft player.

It was a good move because the Chiefs played their best rugby since Super rugby started in 1996.

Morland played in the final against the Bulls at Pretoria and it was the highlight of his rugby career.

His first big game of the season was the round-robin game against the Hurricanes and the second was the semifinal against the Hurricanes.

"It was an awesome experience," he said. "They were the three biggest games of my career. I had a dream run.

"I've had a bit of everything this year. It's been an exciting new life for me. Being in a winning team helped.

"I enjoyed the attitude of the coaching staff, who gave me positive reinforcement."
Morland felt that his game developed to a new level in the Chiefs franchise.

"My tackle rate improved and I learned to run off on the inside of my other backs in support play."

Morland played for the Marlborough Boys High School First XV at halfback or first five-eighth for two years before beginning his study at the Sports Institute of Otago in 2002.

Chris, his father, played at halfback for Green Island when the club won three banners under coach Jack McLachlan in the 1970s.

But his son joined Kaikorai and was an understudy to All Black Byron Kelleher.

Morland made an immediate impact and was selected for the New Zealand Under-19 team that competed in the world championships in 2002.

He played for New Zealand Colts the next year.

He made his debut for Otago as a substitute against his old home province of Marlborough in 2002.

The Morlands have an impressive sporting pedigree.

Chris Morland was a halfback in Dunedin premier rugby in the 1970s and played four games for Otago in 1977, while Toby Morland's mother, Ellen (nee Dagg), was a talented hockey player and played for Otago B in the 1970s.

Morland's brother, Liam, played rugby league for Otago University, and his sister, Jemma, played for New Zealand age group hockey teams.