“The Highlanders have been boosted by confirmation that former All Blacks first-five Mike Delany will join their campaign after being freed by his Japanese club.

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has been sweating over the availability of Delaney, a former Highlanders and Chiefs player, to join them and ease a crisis at No 10 following injuries to Colin Slade and Lima Sopoaga.

Delany’s Japanese club the Panasonic Wild Knights gave him the clearance today.

Delany played nine games for the Highlanders in 2008 before heading to the Chiefs in 2009 where he made 22 appearances over three seasons.

He headed to Japan at the end of the 2011 season after playing one test for the All Blacks against Italy at the end of 2010.

The Highlanders have also brought in another former player, loose forward Hale T-Pole.”