Patchell impressive on Super Rugby debut as Highlanders win

Wales international Rhys Patchell was influential in his Super Rugby Pacific debut on Saturday as the Highlanders opened their campaign with victory over Moana Pasifika.

Fly-half Patchell, who has played 22 tests, directed play expertly with the boot and produced a sublime passing game in a 35-21 home win in Dunedin.

The 30-year-old produced arguably the play of the game when his 30m cut-out pass put Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens outside a defender and free to run to the line for the fullback's second try.

That drew the scores level at 21-21 early in the second half before the Highlanders took control.

Patchell, whose one-season deal ruled him out of contention for the Six Nations, is part of an increased Welsh presence in Super Rugby this year.

Former long-serving test fly-half Stephen Jones has joined Moana Pasifika as an assistant coach.

Fullback Leigh Halfpenny, who played 105 tests for Wales, has signed with the Crusaders.

However, 35-year-old Halfpenny is expected to miss most of the season with a chest injury sustained on his debut for the Crusaders, in a pre-season tour match against Ireland's Munster.

Earlier on Saturday, the Blues beat the Fijian Drua 34-10 in Whangarei, with Hoskins Sotutu and Zarn Sullivan both scoring two tries.