Oliver still not ready for rugby return

Hardened All Blacks hooker and long-time Otago captain Anton Oliver is a notable omission from the Otago NPC first division rugby squad named yesterday.

Oliver's name was missing when coach Wayne Graham named his 26-man squad.

He has not played since suffering a serious leg injury playing for the Highlanders in the Super 12 in May, and missed the All Blacks' 3-0 test series win over the Lions.

Oliver had originally hoped to return for the NPC but Graham said he would not play again until he was ready.

"Anton's on the improve but he's still a significant way away and we don't have him in our plans at this stage," Graham said.

Also missing from the squad are All Blacks James Ryan and Carl Hayman, who are now involved in New Zealand's Tri-Nations test campaign.

The Otago squad contain seven new caps, including flanker Alando Soakai and Australian winger Nick Reily.

Props Chris King and Grant Polson, and hooker Peter Mirrielees, are also new faces in the forwards, while halfback Chris Smylie and first five-eighth Ryan Bambry are included in the backs.

Soakai and Smylie both appeared for Otago off the bench against the Lions in June bench but have not played for Otago in the NPC.

Mike Maguire, who played one game for Otago in 2003 and a full season for Southland last year, is named as an option on the wing.

Reily has played sevens rugby for Australia.

Among other players missing from the squad are halfback Toby Morland, first five-eighth Matt Berquist, prop Craig Dunlea and hooker Jed Vercoe.

Graham said Otago did not have a huge amount of time to prepare for the NPC and they had plenty of work to do.

He hoped the those selected were the right players to lift Otago above the eighth placing they managed last year.

Graham named Craig Newby captain and made Neil Brew, the likely first-choice centre, vice-captain.

"We like what we see of Neil at centre, and he's an experienced player now," Graham said.

"It's important we develop a voice of leadership further out to support Craig."

Polson, a former Canterbury B prop, was mobile and skilled and had plenty of potential at loosehead, Graham said.

Dunlea, who started against the Lions, is now not rated one of the province's top four props, with Jeremy Aldworth and Canterbury loan player King the preferred tightheads in the absence of All Black Carl Hayman.

Bambry, who played for North Otago in the NPC second division last season, has named to cover fullback.

The Otago team to play a pre-season match against Southland on Saturday will be named tomorrow.

Otago NPC squad: Craig Newby (captain), Jason Macdonald, Peter Mirrielees, Carl Hoeft, Chris King, Jeremy Aldworth, Grant Polson, Filipo Levi, Tom Donnelly, Andrew McClintock, Adam Thomson, Josh Blackie, Alando Soakai, Grant Webb, Danny Lee, Chris Smylie, Nick Evans, Ryan Bambry, Seilala Mapusua, Neil Brew, Jason Shoemark, Matt Saunders, Hayden Pedersen, Mike Maguire, Nick Reily, Glen Horton.

- nzpa