Northland players on the move

Northland's Super-14 player stocks dropped 25 per cent yesterday when the country's franchises named their teams for the 2010 season but the biggest surprise after the announcement was the news  Bronson Murray was heading south - further south.
Murray is in danger of becoming viewed as a something of a gypsy after hooking up with the Highlanders - his third Super-14 franchise in as many years.
After a stint with the Blues in 2008, Murray was recruited along with Jared Payne by the Crusaders to fill a hole in their propping ranks.  He played well and made great strides in his game, but after an average NPC season  plagued by injury, he was displaced by some up-and-coming talent from Canterbury for  2010. 
The Crusaders already have two All Black props in Wyatt Crockett and Ben Franks. Franks' younger brother Owen - who played alongside Murray this year - and Peter Borlase were given the nod instead, leaving the Kaitaia-born Murray to be picked up in the draft by Otago.
Taniwha skipper Payne rejoins a red-hot Crusaders backline and Rene Ranger is the other Northlander to earn a Super-14 contract, with the injured  Justin Collins not considered.
The Blues were the biggest movers and shakers of the five New Zealand Super 14 franchises, making nine changes to their uderperforming 28-man squad,  with most changes coming in the problem area of inside backs and loose forwards.
As expected, Canterbury first five-eighth Stephen Brett is the most prominent name to move under the draft system, uprooting from the Crusaders, who regain the services of All Blacks star Daniel Carter. Brett joins a new-look Blues backline also featuring former Hurricanes Alby Mathewson and Daniel Kirkpatrick and returning All Black Luke McAlister. A surprise omission from the Blues is halfback Taniela Moa, perhaps the most notable player to
miss a contract altogether. Other  unwanted  names include former Chiefs lock Toby Lynn and  Highlanders  second five-eighth Johnny Leota, No8 George Naoupu and lock Ross Kennedy.
The Blues have overhauled their loose forward ranks, introducing Wellington flanker Serge Lilo,  Aucklander Peter Saili and North Harbour pair Viliami Ma'afu and Tom Chamberlain.
There are eight changes to South Island franchises, the Crusaders and Highlanders, while the Hurricanes and last year's finalists the Chiefs have made seven each.
Halfback Junior Poluleuligaga of Bay of Plenty and Counties-Manukau fullback Tim Nanai-Williams are newcomers to the Chiefs backline but most of their changes are up front, including  new locks in Waikato's Romana Graham and Bay of Plenty's Callum Retallick.
Openside flanker Luke Braid is in for Lilo while Taranaki No8 Jarrad Hoeata also earns a draft berth. Three Cantabrians take root at the Hurricanes - flanker Michael Paterson, lock James Broadhurst and halfback Tyson Keats.  Exciting backs Aaron Cruden and Andre Taylor are included along with a third Manawatu newcomer, flanker Nick Crosswell.
The Crusaders have secured Aucklander Daniel Bowden as Carter's backup, while two exciting backs from the Hurricanes region - Zac Guildford and Robert Fruean - add some x-factor to their back division.
Former All Blacks lock Chris Jack returns to red and black, while hooker Ti'i Paul, prop Peter Borlase and lock Sam Whitelock also boost the pack.
 First five-eighth Robbie Robinson is introduced as one of 11 Southlanders in the Highlanders squad, with playmaker Michael Hobbs and transplanted Cantabrian James Paterson new among the backs.
Five new forwards include  Crusader Nasi Manu and Southland standouts Joe Tuineau and John Hardie, while front-rowers Murray and Jason Macdonald were with the Crusaders this year.
 
SQUADS
 
 
BLUES: Backs: Paul Williams, Rudi Wulf, George Pisi, Rene Ranger, Joe Rokocoko, Anthony Tuitavake, Isaia Toeava, Benson Stanley, Luke McAlister, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Stephen Brett, Chris Smylie, Alby Mathewson. Forwards: Viliame Ma'afu, Chris Lowrey, Tom Chamberlain, Serge Lilo, Peter Sa'ili, Jerome Kaino, Kurtis Haiu, Ali Williams, Anthony Boric, John Afoa, Charlie Faumuina, Tony Woodcock, Tevita Mailau, Keven Mealamu, Tom McCartney.

CHIEFS: Backs: Mils Muliaina, Tim Nanai-Williams, Dwayne Sweeney, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Lelia Masaga, Richard Kahui, Jackson Willison, Callum Bruce, Stephen Donald, Mike Delany, Brendon Leonard, Junior Poluleuligaga. Forwards: Sione Lauaki, Colin Bourke, Jarrad Hoeata, Tanerau Latimer, Luke Braid, Liam Messam, Romana Graham, Craig Clarke, Kevin O'Neill, Callum Retallick, Nathan White, Ben Afeaki, James McGougan, Sona Taumalolo, Aled de Malmanche, Hika Elliot.

HURRICANES: Backs: Cory Jane, Andre Taylor, Hosea Gear, David Smith, Tamati Ellison, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Jason Kawau, Aaron Cruden, Willie Ripia, Tyson Keats, Piri Weepu. Forwards: Rodney So'oialo, Nick Crosswell, Karl Lowe, Scott Waldrom, Victor Vito, Michael Paterson, Jason Eaton, James Broadhurst, Bryn Evans, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Anthony Perenise, John Schwalger, Jacob Ellison, Andrew Hore, Dane Coles.
CRUSADERS: Backs: Colin Slade, Jared Payne, Zac Guildford, Kade Poki, Sean Maitland, Adam Whitelock, Robert Fruean, Tim Batemen, Ryan Crotty, Daniel Carter, Daniel Bowden, Andy Ellis, Kahn Fotuali'i. Forwards: Thomas Waldrom, Richie McCaw, George Whitelock, Jonathan Poff, Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock, Chris Jack, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Peter Borlase, Wyatt Crockett, Corey Flynn, Ti'i Paulo.

HIGHLANDERS: Backs: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Fetu'u Vainikolo, James Paterson, Kendrick Lynn, Jason Shoemark, Jayden Hayward, Michael Hobbs, Robbie Robinson, Matt Berquist, Jimmy Cowan, Sean Romans. Forwards: Stephen Setephano, Nasi Manu, Alando Soakai, Tim Boys, Adam Thomson, John Hardie, Josh Bekhuis, Tom Donnelly, Hayden Triggs, Joe Tuineau, Chris King, Bronson Murray, Jamie Mackintosh, Clint Newland, Jason Macdonald, Jason Rutledge.