Ihaia West signs for La Rochelle

Former Blues and current Hurricanes fly-half Ihaia West has agreed to join French Top 14 outfit La Rochelle at the end of the 2018 Super Rugby campaign.

The 26-year-old is currently in his first season with the Wellington-based franchise but has seen limited game time behind All Blacks fly-half Beauden Barrett.

The former Baby Black has been involved with the New Zealand Maori side since 2013 and has been identified to replace the departing Brock James, who will move to Bordeaux next season.

West scored the winning try for the Auckland-based Blues against the British & Irish Lions during the 2017 Lions Tour.