SCRUM-HALF Jono Kitto has joined Warriors on a short-term loan as director of rugby Gary Gold looks to ease the club’s injury list.
The 25-year-old Kiwi arrives at Sixways from Leicester Tigers as cover for Luke Baldwin and Jonny Arr who are out injured with a bicep problem and concussion respectively.
Kitto, a former New Zealand Under 20 international, has made 29 appearances for Tigers, having played for Bay of Plenty in New Zealand, while also having been called up to the Waikato Chiefs Development squad in 2015.
The pacy scrum-half recently featured for Leicester in the Premiership Rugby A League against Worcester Cavaliers and scored a scintillating solo try at Sixways.
His arrival comes after Gold warned his side to cut out the ‘same mistakes’ ahead of the Premiership trip to local rivals Gloucester.
The winless Sixways side travel to Kingsholm on Friday night for a local derby (kick-off 7.45pm) seven days on from their humbling 41-10 home loss to Exeter Chiefs.
“It was very difficult to swallow that result (against Exeter). That’s what happens when you make mistakes against the champions, they make you pay,” said Gold.
“We’re making errors that are costing us and I keep saying that every week. I think if you start giving up or you’re not showing that sort of commitment and courage then you’ve got problems.
“It was a pretty tough defensive shift, as tough as you’re going to get anywhere, so credit to the guys for their character. We defended admirably for a sustained period of time but still conceded 41 points. It’s not ideal, it’s the one area we wanted to improve on.
“A lot of the time it’s us not looking after the ball at crucial times and quality teams hurt us when we make those mistakes.
“It’s not going to be easy at Kingsholm and we’ve lost Jack (Singleton) and Tom (Heathcote) through injury now.
“When it rains, it pours, but we’ll keep fighting, there’s a long way to go.
“It’s far too early for anyone to be panicking.”