Don Lolo and Mike McKee have signed for one of Super Rugby’s two new franchises.
They join Manawatu lock Veikoso Poloniati in the latest trio of signings for the team.
Lolo’s signing completes one of the most unlikely rises to Super Rugby in the modern era.
He made his debut for Tonga earlier in the year, coming out of Dunedin club rugby to face the All Blacks.
The Taieri lock came through Waitaki Boys’ High School
and has played 11 Heartland Championship matches for North Otago and South Canterbury.
McKee is the first player of Cook Islands heritage to be named in the squad.
A mainstay of the Southland forward pack, he has played 42 times for the Stags since 2015 and had a stint with Counties-Manukau in 2018.
The 28-year-old attended Otago Boys’ High School, where he transitioned from a utility back to a lock, before turning out for Taieri.
Poloniati also has a link to the South Island, having played for South Canterbury.
Hawke’s Bay duo Lolagi Visinia and Danny Toala were also announced yesterday as new signings for the team.
