The Hurricanes forward Michael Patterson has signed a 3-year deal with the Welsh rugby club Cardiff Blues.
Patterson was talked about as an All Black prospect, but he's decided to join fellow New Zealanders Casey Laulala, Ben Blair and Paul Tito at the Blues.
The move comes amid speculation that number eight Xavier Rush wants to stay at the Blues rather than join Ulster, whom he earlier agreed to join.
The three-year length of Paterson's deal allows the Blues to regard him as a Welsh-qualified player in waiting.
Paterson moved to the Hurricanes this year after three seasons at the Crusaders.
