Harlquins sign up All Black Mailing

Harlequins today announced the signing of New Zealand second row forward Simon Maling.

Maling, who has won 11 caps for the All Blacks, will link up with Zurich Premiership strugglers Quins early next month and will be at the club until the end of this season.

Maling, aged 29, made his latest Test match appearance against South Africa during this year’s Tri-Nations match in Johannesburg.

He has also played for the Otago Highlanders in the Super 12 and for Otago in New Zealand’s National Provincial Competition.

Quins are currently five points adrift at the Premiership basement, having lost all six of their league games this season.

They entertain leaders Leicester on Saturday.

Quins’ deficiencies up front have been clinically exposed this season and, unless they can improve considerably that area of their game, then they look set for a long and arduous struggles.