A former Crusaders board chairman has been appointed to the Highlanders board, although it is only for an interim period.
Mike Eagle has been appointed to the board by the New Zealand Rugby Union, after a board meeting in Wellington yesterday.
Eagle is only an interim appointment, but in a statement by the Highlanders yesterday there was no indication how long his tenure on the board would be. Eagle is a board member of the New Zealand Rugby Union, representing the southern region.
In June this year, the New Zealand Rugby Union stepped in and agreed to underwrite the Highlanders financially for the next couple of years.
But one of the conditions was that the NZRU had the power to appoint a board member for the next two years. It is unclear whether Eagle will sit on the board for two years.
It has been a lengthy process to announce the new board member, and it was initially thought the new member would come from within the Highlanders region.
The NZRU also had the power to make its appointment the board chairman but has stopped short of that, with Stuart McLauchlan to continue as chairman.
McLauchlan said Eagle was well known to the Highlanders board and his expertise would be welcomed.
NZRU chairman Jock Hobbs said it was making every effort to ensure the Highlanders are successful on and off the field and Eagle's appointment underlined that commitment.
The Dunedin City Council will also have a representative on the Highlanders board but has yet to announce its appointment.
Eagle had a long rugby career in Canterbury as a player and administrator. He was previously chairman of the Canterbury and Crusaders Boards. He played for Albion in Christchurch and for Canterbury B.
A partner and director of an electrical contracting company, he lives in Christchurch.
Eagle is one of the NZRU board members who annually review each of the Super 14 franchises.
