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Kiwi-born McNicholl signs new deal with Scarlets and it's good news for Wales

Johnny McNicholl celebrates try against Racing 92. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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Johnny McNicholl has become the latest high-profile player to sign a new deal with the Scarlets.

Last week Grand Slam winners Jonathan Davies, Ken Owens and Rob Evans penned new contracts.

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Born in Christchurch, McNicholl was a regular for the Crusaders in Super Rugby and a title winner with the Canterbury provincial team before making the move to West Wales in 2016.

The 28-year-old qualifies for Six Nations champions Wales on residency in December.

Wayne Pivac, who will replace Warren Gatland as Wales head coach at the end of the 2019 World Cup, is delighted to see the deal done.

“It is great news that Johnny has signed a new contract. He has been one of the most dangerous attacking threats in the PRO14 in recent years and played a big part in us reaching successive finals and a European semi-final.

“With the news of Jon, Ken and Rob signing last week, this is another significant signing for the Scarlets. The squad is looking strong for next season.”

McNicholl, who can play full-back or wing, joined from New Zealand Super Rugby side Crusaders in 2016 and was part of the Scarlets team that lifted the Guinness PRO12 title that season.

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A potent attacking runner, he made an immediate impact at Parc y Scarlets with a try on his debut against Leinster and has gone on to touch down 27 times in 59 appearances, including a memorable hat-trick in last season’s PRO14 final in Dublin.

“I am happy that everything has been finalised and I’m staying at the Scarlets,” said McNicholl.

“Myself and my family are settled here in Wales and have been made to feel very welcome.

“We have had some great success over the last couple of years and hopefully there is more to come.

“I’m looking forward to reconnecting with my former Crusaders coach Brad Mooar and feel there are exciting times ahead.”

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Watch: Kiwi’s Abroad – Join RugbyPass employee of the month runner-up Sam Smith as he embarks on an epic journey across Europe to track down some of the finest Kiwi talent plying their trade in the Northern Hemisphere.

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Phantom 35 minutes ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



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