RUGBY - Defectors open the door for 11 debuts

For now Derek Carpenter lists his occupation as "concrete worker", in the long term he hopes to be a physiotherapist, but in the meantime his goal is to add "professional rugby player" to his resume.
The 19-year-old midfield back has taken the first step to his sporting aspirations by getting the nod for the Northland rugby training squad.
He is one of the bolters added for two pre-season trials before the Air NZ Cup championship kicks off.
Carpenter is joined by others like Kamo loose forward Roy Griffin and Hikurangi's centre Damien Fakafanua as one of the three players who have forced their way into consideration.
But the trio are among a group of 11 players who will make their Northland debuts as defections cut a large swathe through last year's squad.
Players like Brad Taylor, Tim Dow, Dan Bowden, Josh Levi and Jake Paringatai have all cut and run to rugby contracts overseas, leaving coaches Mark Anscombe and Bruce Robertson to rifle through the club rugby stocks.
It has been a thorough search, and one that has highlighted some glaring areas of concern, but the changing of the guard is giving players like Carpenter the chance to stake their claim.
"Since I started playing for the Northland under-15s I have just dreamt of playing rugby for Northland," Carpenter said.
A product of Kamo High School and for the last two years a star player in the championship winning Mid Northern senior side, Carpenter thinks game time in club fixtures alongside Northland legend David Holwell has helped. Getting one-on-one advice from Robertson, a former All Blacks centre, has also been an eye-opener.
"Holwell, even when he came back [from the Blues] for a short time last year, has been awesome to play outside. He gives me little tips and different ideas all the time. I really look up to Bruce [Robertson], he's a good fella and I hope he thinks a lot of me because he's the guy I have to impress now," he said.
The path into the final Northland squad won't be easy - there's a log-jam of contenders lining up to secure a contract.
Fakafanua, Aiden Dewes and Leo Taliu are all candidates for the No.12 and No.13 jerseys. Winger Rene Ranger is also being eyed up for a move infield.
But Carpenter has already been told he will start the first pre-season game against North Harbour.
"The coaches had a word in my ear and have basically laid it all out there. This is my big opportunity and it is up to me to take it or not," he said.
Anscombe said ongoing negotiations could yet produce two more loan players from Auckland and was worried at the lack of depth at tighthead prop and first five-eighths in particular.
The game against North Harbour on Saturday week in Albany will either highlight the need to get more imported back-up or alleviate some concerns, he said.
The squad heads north to Taipa for a pre-season camp on Monday.