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Bay of Plenty rake Nathan Vella, who played 33 games for Canterbury between 2016-18, has joined the reigning champions for the rest of the year as a replacement. Makalio’s loss is a significant blow for the red and blacks, who no longer have the luxury of injecting the punishing runner and silky-skilled rake into the mix against ailing defences.
Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images
Nathan Vella, left, has joined the Crusaders as injury cover for the remainder of the season. Canterbury hooker Brodie McAlister will go into the season as All Black Codie Taylor’s primary backup, although he’s only been capped four times.