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Austin have confirmed the long-anticipated arrival of former All Blacks lock Isaac Ross. The 36-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the Gilgronis that sees him joining in a player-coach role. He is expected to be available for the Week 5 fixture against Rugby ATL.
Ross returned to New Zealand in October after spending nearly a decade in the Japan Top League with the NTT Shining Arcs and helped Tasman lift the Mitre 10 Cup. He had last played in the country in 2011 with the Chiefs, one of three Super Rugby sides Ross turned out for since his 2007 Crusaders debut.
After graduating through the country’s age-grade international system, Ross was called up to the New Zealand Māori squad in 2007 and then played eight tests for the All Blacks in 2009. Upon accepting the contract in Japan he effectively ended his test career at the age of just 27.
Austin now have two former All Blacks as player-coaches along with loosehead prop Jamie Mackintosh. Ross joins a second row department that already counts former South Africa u20 cap Sebastian de Chaves, USA Selects rep Christian Ostberg, Canadian international Reegan O’Gorman, and collegiate signing Cam Dodson who also covers No8.
