The Otago loosehead prop has signed with French team RC Narbonne, who have earned promotion to the Pro D2 league for the upcoming season.
Pole found himself in need of a new job after Moana Pasifika folded at the end of the Super Rugby Pacific, season and he found a gig in France.
Pole has played 47 games for Otago since making his debut in 2021. He played a couple of games for the Crusaders in 2022 before inking a contract with Moana Pasifika and going on to play 59 games for the club.
Otago have been quick to plug the gap.
They have named Perth-born front-rower Marley Pearce in the side for the NPC warm-up game against Southland at the Riverton Rugby Club tomorrow afternoon.
The 22-year-old made six appearances off the bench for the Western Force this season, and he also played for the First Nations and Pasifika XV against the British and Irish Lions last year.
The former Junior Wallaby made his Force debut in 2023 against the Blues and has played more than 30 Super Rugby games.
Otago coach Mark Brown described Pearce as a young man who was still learning his craft.
‘‘But he has experience at Super level, which makes him very well-placed to complete and perform well for us in the NPC,’’ Brown said.
‘‘Marley definitely fits the bill,’’ he said, adding it was similar to the decision to recruit Fijian lock Joseva Tamani, who has returned for a second season with Otago this year.
There are some other notable inclusions in the Otago team for the warm-up game.
Brown was unable to pick players from Kaikorai or Harbour, who will contest the Dunedin division 1 club final on Saturday.
That has provided opportunities for Taieri pair Thomas Bolton and Joe Cockburn.
Bolton has been a standout for the Eels — his defence, in particular, has been outstanding — while Cockburn has proved elusive on the wing.
Highlanders back-up loosie Will Stodart will captain Otago in the game. Brown added that a decision on who would permanently captain the team this season had not been made.
Southland have named a Kaikorai player in their side. Gregor Rutledge, who is a true-blue Southlander, has been in good form for the Demons in the Dunedin division 1 competition, but will miss the final.
He is an elite tackler and from good Southland stock. His father, Jason, played a record 143 games for the Stags, and his grandfather, Leicester, clocked 113 appearances.
Southland also have some international flavour. Japanese pair Takaya Saito and Hayata Taniyama have been named in the squad, as have Australians Jack Barrett, Clem Halaholo, Sef Fa’agase and Glen Vaihu.
NPC preseason
Riverton, tomorrow, 2.30pm
Otago: Sam Nemec-Vial, Jae Broomfield, Josh Whaanga, Jake Te Hiwi, Joe Cockburn, Mackenzie Palmer, Kieran McClea, Will Stodart (captain), Thomas Bolton, Oliver Haig, Mitchell Tinnock, Harry Irving, Rohan Wingham, A-One Lolofie, Benjamin Lopas. Reserves: Nic Souchon, Marley Pearce, Cam Allan-McNeill, Eric Peita, Alex Arnold, Oliver Thode, Riley Lucas, Reimana Saunderson-Rurawhe, Harrison Martin.
Southland: Glen Vaihu, Michael Manson, Scott Gregory, Tayne Harvey, Denzel Samoa, Takaya Saito, Nic Shearer, Clem Halaholo, Gregor Rutledge, Kasaloma Ahokovi, Luka Cassidy, Ale Aho (captain), Darius Fidow, Jayden Henderson, Jack Barrett. Reserves: Ollie Harris, Sef Fa’agase, Liam Ferguson, Jack Taylor, Harrison Morton, Sloane Lankshear, Charlie Marsh, Josh Jennings, Sam Mustchin, Hayata Taniyama, Jay Reihana.
