Walker-Leawere one of Canes’ young guns

YOUNG HURRICANE: Lock Isaia Walker-Leawere made his debut for the Hurricanes off the bench last year. File picture by Paul Rickard

Former Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 players Isaia Walker-Leawere and Whetu Douglas have been named in the Hurricanes and Crusaders Super Rugby squads respectively for the 2019 season.

The 1.97-metre, 122-kilogram Poneke lock Walker-Leawere was in the squad this year as injury cover and made one appearance before a shoulder injury put paid to his chances of more game time.

While in Gisborne for Hurricanes pre-season training in January, Walker-Leawere said he was “happy to listen and learn” from his more experienced Hurricanes teammates.

Hurricanes coach John Plumtree said Walker-Leawere was one of several young players who were “outstanding prospects”.

The Hurricanes have opted for continuity with the selection of the 2019 squad — with six new faces in the 38-man squad.

Dynamic Auckland wing Salesi Rayasi, exciting Wellington midfielder Billy Proctor, former Highlanders first five-eighth Fletcher Smith, two-time Super Rugby champion Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, promising Wellington openside flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi and athletic Manawatu utility forward Liam Mitchell have joined the franchise.

Plumtree was excited about the squad.

“A lot of the boys have been together for a long period of time but we also have some exciting youngsters that we have brought in,” he said.

Douglas scored six tries for the Crusaders last year before moving to Italy to play. But the dynamic loose forward has returned for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

Douglas, 27, made a big impression for the Crusaders at the start of last year.

He made five starts at No.8 and was used as a substitute once.

He relocated to Italian Pro 14 club Treviso midway through the 2017 Super Rugby season because he had signed a deal with them in the off-season.

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said Douglas was a welcome addition.

“Whetu was a standout player in our 2017 season,” Robertson said.

“He joined the squad as injury cover, slotted into our team environment effortlessly and became an early crowd favourite.”

Hurricanes squad: Jordie Barrett, Ben Lam, Jonah Lowe, Nehe Milner-Skudder, James Marshall, Salesi Rayasi, Vince Aso, Wes Goosen, Ngani Laumape, Billy Proctor, Matt Proctor, Beauden Barrett, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Fletcher Smith, Finlay Christie, Richard Judd, TJ Perenara, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Gareth Evans, Vaea Fifita, Sam Henwood, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Ardie Savea, James Blackwell, Geoff Cridge, Sam Lousi, Liam Mitchell, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Fraser Armstrong, Chris Eves, Alex Fidow, Ben May, Toby Smith, Jeff To’omaga-Allen, Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Ricky Riccitelli.

Chiefs: Kane Hames, Aidan Ross, Reuben O’Neill, Nepo Laulala, Atu Moli, Sosefo Kautai, Angus Ta’avao, Nathan Harris Liam Polwart, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Brodie Retallick, Tyler Ardron Laghlan McWhannell, Michael Allardice, Fin Hoeata, Mitchell Brown, Taleni Seu, Sam Cane, Mitchell Karpik, Lachlan Boshier, Luke Jacobson, Pita Gus Sowakula, Brad Weber, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Jonathan Taumateine, Damian McKenzie, Tiaan Falcon, Jack Debreczeni, Alex Nankivell, Anton Lienert-Brown, Tumua Manu, Bailyn Sullivan, Solomon Alaimalo, Sean Wainui, Ataata Moeakiola, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Shaun Stevenson, Marty McKenzie.

Crusaders: Michael Alaalatoa, Tim Bateman, Harry Allan, George Bridge, Scott Barrett, Brett Cameron, Ethan Blackadder, Ryan Crotty, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Israel Dagg, Mitchell Dunshea, Mitchell Drummond, Owen Franks, Ereatara Enari, Ben Funnell, Braydon Ennor, Billy Harmon, Leicester Faingaanuku, Oliver Jager, Jack Goodhue, Andrew Makalio, Bryn Hall, Joe Moody, David Havili, Tim Perry, Mitchell Hunt, Kieran Read, Will Jordan, Luke Romano, Manasa Mataele, Tom Sanders, Richie Mo’unga, Quinten Strange, Ngane Punivai, Jordan Taufua, Codie Taylor, Matt Todd, Sam Whitelock.