CONNACHT HAVE ANNOUNCED the signing of New Zealander Sam Gilbert from Super Rugby side the Highlanders, ahead of next season while Santiago Cordero, Conor Oliver and Piers O’Conor will all depart the club at the end of this campaign.
Cordero arrived in the summer of 2023 and recovered from a serious knee injury during pre-season training to play 20 times since his return 12 months ago. Oliver joined the club in 2020 and has gone on to make 95 appearances for the province, scoring 10 tries. O’Conor has accepted a playing opportunity elsewhere after 17 caps and 3 tries since his signing from Bristol last year.
Their exits follow JJ Hanrahan and Andrew Smith who will move to Munster while Adam McBurney and John Porch were granted early releases from their contracts during the season to take up playing opportunities elsewhere.
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The 26-year-old Gilbert has made 56 Super Rugby appearances for the Dunedin-based outfit, scoring over 320 points including 13 tries.
Gilbert has primarily played as a full-back, but has also featured at inside centre, on the wing or out-half.
He began his provincial career with Canterbury, before his Super Rugby debut with the Highlanders arrived in 2020.
Last year he played twice for the All Blacks XV representative side, coming off the bench against Japan in both games, while he has also featured in recent years for Otago in the National Provincial Championship.
“I’m delighted to be joining Connacht Rugby and take on a new challenge,” said Gilbert.
“I’ve loved my time with the Highlanders and will always be grateful for what the club has done for me! After speaking with Connacht I believe this is the perfect club for me moving forward in my career.
“They play a brand of rugby that is entertaining and exactly how I want to play the game, and I know there’s the new HPC and stadium which looks incredibly exciting too. I can’t wait to make the move, get settled in the province and meet my new teammates and wider staff and supporters in the months ahead.”
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Connacht sign Sam Gilbert from Highlanders as Cordero named among departures
LAST UPDATE | 9 May
CONNACHT HAVE ANNOUNCED the signing of New Zealander Sam Gilbert from Super Rugby side the Highlanders, ahead of next season while Santiago Cordero, Conor Oliver and Piers O’Conor will all depart the club at the end of this campaign.
Cordero arrived in the summer of 2023 and recovered from a serious knee injury during pre-season training to play 20 times since his return 12 months ago. Oliver joined the club in 2020 and has gone on to make 95 appearances for the province, scoring 10 tries. O’Conor has accepted a playing opportunity elsewhere after 17 caps and 3 tries since his signing from Bristol last year.
Their exits follow JJ Hanrahan and Andrew Smith who will move to Munster while Adam McBurney and John Porch were granted early releases from their contracts during the season to take up playing opportunities elsewhere.
The 26-year-old Gilbert has made 56 Super Rugby appearances for the Dunedin-based outfit, scoring over 320 points including 13 tries.
Gilbert has primarily played as a full-back, but has also featured at inside centre, on the wing or out-half.
He began his provincial career with Canterbury, before his Super Rugby debut with the Highlanders arrived in 2020.
Last year he played twice for the All Blacks XV representative side, coming off the bench against Japan in both games, while he has also featured in recent years for Otago in the National Provincial Championship.
“I’m delighted to be joining Connacht Rugby and take on a new challenge,” said Gilbert.
“I’ve loved my time with the Highlanders and will always be grateful for what the club has done for me! After speaking with Connacht I believe this is the perfect club for me moving forward in my career.
“They play a brand of rugby that is entertaining and exactly how I want to play the game, and I know there’s the new HPC and stadium which looks incredibly exciting too. I can’t wait to make the move, get settled in the province and meet my new teammates and wider staff and supporters in the months ahead.”
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Connacht Highlanders New Addition Rugby Sam Gilbert