LEINSTER HAVE ANNOUNCED that Maori All Black Hayden Triggs has signed for the province until the end of the season.

The 33-year-old has arrived to bolster the second row after the departure of Kane Douglas, and the call-up to the World Cup of Mike McCarthy.

Triggs has played 64 times in Super Rugby, with stints at the Hurricanes, Highlanders, Chiefs and most recently the Auckland Blues.

As well his experience in Super Rugby, Triggs has also played nine times for the Maori All Blacks, featuring against the Ireland Wolfhounds in the 2007 Churchill Cup and another appearance against Ireland in 2010 on their summer tour of New Zealand.

He joins the squad immediately having been granted a work-permit, and head coach Leo Cullen says his experience will be badly needed in the coming weeks and months.

“Hayden brings a wealth of experience to the squad at a time when we have a large chunk of our squad away at the Rugby World Cup. We look forward to welcoming him into the group in the next day or so,” he said.

“Obviously with the news that Rhys and now Mike have been added to the Irish squad, Hayden’s arrival is timely. Tom Denton, Ross Molony, Tadhg Beirne and Gavin Thornbury have all been pushing hard to get in the team and Hayden will add some good experience and further competition for places.”

Triggs’ arrival will also be timely for Leinster after it was announced that second row Mick Kearney has undergone surgery on a toe injury picked up in AIL action for Clontarf.

“Mick Kearney returned to play with Clontarf the weekend before last and unfortunately has injured his toe again. He has had surgery and will be out until the new year.

“It is a terrible blow for Mick personally who has applied himself brilliantly since his arrival and was performing very well in training.”

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