Waikato flyer Sevu Reece has been snapped up by the Crusaders and is on a replacement player contract, which will see him stay with the Canterbury Super Rugby franchise through to next year's pre-season games.
Reece was a standout for Waikato in the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup on the wing, but was caught up in controversy off the pitch when he was involved in a domestic violence incident.
He was discharged without conviction, with the Mooloos standing him down for a Ranfurly Shield defence match against Otago.
He lost a contract with Irish club Connacht over the incident as well.
Reece's girlfriend was left with injuries and the Waikato speedster was fined by the courts.
Crusaders assistant coach Brad Mooar said Reece had a breakout year with Waikato in the 2018 NPC.
"He lit up the Mitre 10 Cup, didn’t he? And he's outstanding scoring tries willy nilly," said Mooar.
"The question will be his off-field stuff, so I'll hit that on the head now. We are really aware of what's happened in the last 10-12 months for Sevu , we have discussed that with him.
"We had a really good conversation, he's here as a replacement player at the moment, through to the pre-season games and it is a great opportunity for him to show us what he is about.
"If there is any opportunity after that then he could be a prime candidate for that sort of thing."
Mooar said the Crusaders are working closely with Reece in addressing his off-field behaviour.
"He's a young man who has made a mistake and it's a serious mistake," said Mooar.
"But at the same time once we discussed that and had the conversation with him and able to go deep on that and eyeball each other, we can see the genuine remorse.
"And his acceptance that he has done wrong and is working to fix it and improve as a person out of it."
The 21-year-old was left without a Super Rugby contract last month.
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