And Otago has also secured the services of an Italian international for the season as it looks to bolster its locking stocks following the departure of Tom Franklin.
Otago yesterday announced Zingari-Richmond lineout forward Tom Rowe and Italian lock Josh Furno have been contracted for the Mitre 10 campaign.
Rowe’s promotion continues with a trend to pick local players, but Furno’s inclusion is a departure from the local first policy the union has employed in recent times.
Coach Cory Brown said with Franklin moving on, the province needed an experienced lock who could call the lineouts and Furno was the best fit.
"Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of experience within Dunedin club rugby at that next level and Josh has played close to 40 international matches," Brown said.
"It is really difficult to replace Tom Franklin. He has been the lineout leader and glue for a number of years now, so we needed someone who can step into his shoes and become the lineout leader.
"We have some young guys. Josh Dickson has got awesome potential and has a big future but he is still pretty young.
"Blair Tweed is sort of a tighthead lock who is very powerful and a great defender, but he doesn’t really call the lineout."
The 27-year-old Furno has played 37 games for Italy and will be joining Otago this month having played for the Italian club Zebre in the Guinness Pro12 competition this season. He was born in Australia but grew up in Italy. He made his test debut in the 13-6 win against Scotland in the 2012 Six Nations.
"I’m delighted to be joining Otago," Furno said in a press release.
"I know it’s a very strong competition and I have always wanted to play rugby in New Zealand, so this move represents a fantastic opportunity to test myself against the very best."
Rowe, a former junior Tall Black, made two appearances for Otago last season and strong club form led to the contract offer this season.
"He played a couple of games for Otago last year and was awesome, actually. He is just really coachable and listened.
"We asked him to go away and put on a little bit of size and strength in the gym. Hehas done that and we needed four locks, so it is a good opportunity for Tom to develop."
Southern lineout forward Josh Clark, who played for Southland last year, has been one of the form players in the premier grade but was overlooked.
"He is not a lineout caller and he’s not a tall lock, but he has been playing very well for Southern. But by all accounts I’m pretty sure he is heading back down south."