Dominic Bird heading to the capital

The 30-year-old former Canterbury, Crusaders and Chiefs representative will line up for the Wellington Lions for this year’s Bunnings Warehouse NPC before joining the Hurricanes for next year’s Super Rugby competition.

“I’m excited to be getting back into Super Rugby next year and returning to NZ with my family to live,” the two-test All Black said.

“We’ve enjoyed our time with Racing Metro in France, and I feel like I’ve been playing some of my best rugby up there, but now is the right time to return home. I’m looking forward to testing myself again in Super Rugby and adding huge value to the Hurricanes in 2022.”

A World Under-20 Championship winner with New Zealand, in what is considered one of the best junior sides ever produced in the country, Bird made his mark in Canterbury after studying at Lincoln University before forging a successful start to his Super Rugby career at the Crusaders.

The 2.06m second rower then made the move north to the Chiefs where he was one of the most consistent forwards through three campaigns before he signed with Racing Metro to play in the Top 14.