Canterbury squad features ten newcomers

Former All Blacks captain Reuben Thorne will lead a Canterbury NPC rugby squad featuring 10 newcomers throughout the upcoming first division campaign.

All Blacks flanker Richard McCaw led Canterbury to the NPC title last year, but his international commitments mean he could miss much of the NPC season.

Canterbury coach Aussie McLean today confirmed Thorne would be retained as captain for the entire competition.

McLean said Thorne, who captained the All Blacks in 2002 and 2003, and led the Crusaders to a Super 12 title, was an outstanding skipper.

"One of the reasons he wasn't captain last year was he had things he needed to focus on in his game, but we are pretty happy with the way his game is right now.

"He had an outstanding NPC last year and a fantastic Super 12 -- and he's a good captain, as he's proved in the past."

Thorne would provide some "continuity" with Canterbury still uncertain when they will be able to call on McCaw and his five All Blacks colleagues -- Daniel Carter, Aaron Mauger, Chris Jack, Leon MacDonald and Greg Somerville .

"We don't know when we will see Richie ... we may see him for two games, or four games, or we may not see him at all," McLean said.

McLean said the All Blacks would be released for NPC duty on an individual basis, based on their workloads so far, physical and mental fitness and their likely involvement in the four-test grand slam tour of Britain and Ireland in November.

Canterbury can still call on nine recent All Blacks -- Thorne, fellow forwards Mose Tuiali'i, Campbell Johnstone, Sam Broomhall, Sam Harding and Greg Feek, and backs Caleb Ralph, Casey Laulala and Ben Blair, as well as Fijian test wing Vilimoni Delasau.

Broomhall will take up a new contract in France after the Ranfurly Shield defence against Bay of Plenty on August 20.

Delasau would have made his Canterbury NPC debut last year but for shoulder surgery, whiule Tuiali'i, formerly of Northland and Auckland, and Harding, formerly of Otago, head a list of 10 players yet to make their NPC debuts for Canterbury.

The other new recruits are New Zealand Colts first five-eighth Steven Brett, halfback Andrew Ellis, wing Alfred Pelenise, loose forward Peter Nixon, lock Craig Clarke and props Maurice Tito and Wyatt Crockett.

McLean and co-coach Rob Penney have opted for versatility in the loose forwards with two specialist openside flankers in Johnny Leo'o and Shirley's Hayden Hopgood and extra cover in Harding.

Thorne is the only specialist blindside flanker, although Broomhall, Tuiali'i, Harding, mobile lock George Naopou and newcomer Peter Nixon can also play there.

There are also plenty of possibilities at No 8.

George Naopou, a New Zealand sevens representative, has been named as a lock but McLean and Penney are "not totally convinced that's where he will stay" as his career develops.

Johnstone and Feek give Canterbury two international-standard props with cover provided by Crockett and Tito.

Versatility is a feature of the backline, with McLean happy most players can perform in more than one role.

Crusaders halfback Jamie Nutbrown and Ellis have got the nod as All Black Justin Marshall's successors.

Canterbury NPC squad:-

Backs: Scott Hamilton, Ben Blair, Casey Laulala, Alfred Pelenise, Cameron McIntyre, Vilimoni Delasau, Steven Brett, Andrew Ellis, Caleb Ralph, Steven Yates, Joel Iggo, Jamie Nutbrown.

Forwards: Mose Tuiali'i, Tone Kopelani, Sam Broomhall, Sam Harding, Reuben Thorne (captain), Craig Clarke, George Naopou, Peter Nixon, Kevin O'Neill, Maurice Tito, Johnny Leo'o, Hayden Hopgood, Campbell Johnstone, Greg Feek, Wyatt Crockett, Corey Flynn.

- nzpa