Jamie 'Nutty' Nutbrown to boost Steamers Rugby

In certain proof that it never rains but it pours, former Bay of Plenty halfback Jamie Nutbrown is making a return to the province after three years in Wales.
Steamers coach Sean Horan confirmed the move yesterday, delighted at having secured the former Chiefs, Crusaders and New Zealand "A" No9.
The 29-year-old's arrival will take the province's halfback depth to ridiculous levels, although the availability of Taniela Moa is still up in the air.
The incumbent could still be called up into Tonga's World Cup squad and Horan said that uncertainty meant they couldn't ignore Nutbrown's credentials.
"We knew he was coming home - we've kept in contact with Nutty for the last couple of years - and his ideal option was to come back to the Bay, so we just worked through it," Horan said.
"Every nation has 35 days before the World Cup that they can go into camp and we just don't know where Taniela sits with Tonga. The best thing for us is to plan that he'll be called up halfway through our campaign and that's why those other guys will become vital."
The other guys include another Welsh exile Jason Spice, who returned this year and is playing Baywide club rugby for Mount Maunganui.'
Former Otumoetai College and Otago "B' halfback Lewis Hancock has been a revelation for Tauranga Sports, the third-highest scorer in the competition, a haul that includes seven tries.
There's also 10-game Steamers player Josh Hall and rising Whakarewarewa halfback Chris Miller, who trialled for the New Zealand under-20 team this year.
"We've got six quality halfbacks in the union which I don't think we've had in the past. We're going to end up using three or four of them over the year, just through the schedule and sheer attrition."
Horan also points out Nutbrown, Moa and Spice can play at first-five, particularly valuable with the loss of Mike Delany to Japan, while Nutbrown's experience is also a key.
"I was really worried about losing all the experience we did last year - Mike Delany, Grant McQuoid and John Moore were all 50-game veterans. But when you bring in the likes of Steve Kefu, Chris Noakes and Nutty, it takes a lot of the pressure off Colin Bourke and Tanerau Latimer."
The danger in playing halfbacks at first-five is the lack of a recognised goal-kicker, although Hancock's prowess in club rugby has been recognised.
Other kicking options, in order, would be midfielder Phil Burleigh, No8 Bourke and centre/wing Jason Hona.
Despite the rapidly filling playing roster, Horan is also adamant the Baywide competition will continue to throw up some intrigue.
"We've still got some good players coming through club rugby and there will be a couple of surprises in our Steamers team," he said.