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He has played for the Highlanders in Super Rugby and been a member of the Manawatu squad since 2004 and will link up with his new club after rugby's showpiece event.
"Johnny is a great signing for us and I am sure he will fit in well at the club," said executive director of sport Steve Diamond.
"He is playing well and I have had my eye on him for some time. He is a great defender and a great line breaker with ball in hand.
"Fans will remember when we signed Graham Bond nine years ago and what an impact he had. Johnny is a very similar player and we have high hopes for him."
Diamond has also recruited Club de Rugby Los Tilos fullback Joaquin Tuculet on a one-year deal.
The 22-year-old played for his country's 'A' Team in this Summer's IRB Nations Cup in Romania where he caught Diamond's eye.
"I first saw Joaquin when I coached Russia and he impressed me," Diamond added.
"He narrowly missed out on selection for the Puma's World Cup Squad, and I am delighted he has joined us. He will fit in perfectly with what we are trying to achieve at the club and has already started training."
Sale kick off their European campaign this year with a trip to last season's Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finalist's Brive before welcoming Rugby Club La Vila to Edgeley Park the following week.
