He was set to join his new team after completing his Waikato commitments in the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup,[4] however, in October 2018 it was announced that Connacht had decided to not go along with the deal in light of a domestic violence case against Reece, in which he pleaded guilty and was discharged without conviction.

In March 2019, he made his debut on the right wing against the Chiefs as a cover for Manasa Mataele who was injured the previous week and ruled out for the season.

In the early hours of July 1, 2018, a heavily intoxicated Reece got into an argument with his partner of two years in the Hamilton central business district.

[9] He was subsequently granted a discharge without conviction in order for him to take up a contract in Ireland, by Judge Denise Clark in the Hamilton District Court.

[9] Judge Denise Clark imposed a NZ$750 fine when a letter from Connacht, confirming the contract offer would be withdrawn if he was convicted, was read in court.