Trent Renata joins Wellington Lions on two-year deal

Trent Renata signs two year-deal with Wellington Lions

Former Highlanders and Chiefs first-five Trent Renata has signed a two-year deal with the Wellington Lions.

Renata, 29, will join the Lions squad for the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup at the conclusion of the Italian top league season where he has been playing for Mogliano for the past two seasons.

Wellington Lions backs coach Andre Bell said Renata would add experience and depth to the Lions squad.

"Trent is someone who has a lot of experience at the highest levels of the game. He has played Super Rugby for the Highlanders and the Chiefs as well as representing the Maori All Blacks and with that he brings a lot of leadership."

Renata was equally capable of playing first five or fullback and was also a highly accomplished goal kicker, Bell said.

"When you factor in Jackson Garden-Bachop, who is coming off his first Super Rugby season with the Melbourne Rebels, as well as talented young Wellington local club players like Piri Parone and Pakai Turia, we are developing some real depth in a pivotal position."

Renata's career has included two stints in Super Rugby, as a member of the Chiefs wider training group in 2010 when he played two matches, and with the Highlanders from 2013 to 2015 during which he was capped 12 times.

The Hamilton-born Hamilton Boys High School old boy represented Waikato 66 times at provincial level since his debut in 2008, and has also played for Otago, in 2014, and Tasman, in 2015.

He played under new Wellington Lions head coach Chris Gibbes during his time with Waikato, including being a key part of the side that lifted the Ranfurly Shield off Taranaki in 2012.

Nationally, he represented New Zealand at secondary schools, under-19 and under-20 level and was a member of the Maori All Blacks touring squad to the United Kingdom in 2012.

Renata will join the Oriental Rongotai club once he arrives in Wellington ahead of the Mitre 10 Cup.

Fact File

Trent Renata

Age: 29

National Honours:

Maori All Blacks 2012 (Iwi: Ngati Maru), New Zealand U20s, New Zealand U19s

Super Rugby:

Chiefs 2010 (2 matches)

Highlanders 2013-2015 (12 matches)

Provincial

Waikato 2008-2013 (66 matches)

Otago 2014 (8 Matches)

Tasman, 2015 (10 matches)