(Reuters) - Wales international Johnny McNicholl will play in Super Rugby for Canterbury Crusaders this season after the New Zealand-born outside back returned home on Tuesday having asked to be released early from his Scarlets contract.

The 33-year-old will join former Scarlets and Wales team mate Leigh Halfpenny at the Crusaders, though the latter is currently sidelined with injury and has had to sit idle as the side suffered back-to-back defeats at the start of the season.