42 NZ players to debut in 2007 Super 14

Forty-two New Zealand players will debut in next year's Super 14 rugby competition.

The release of this country's five franchise squads today was notable for the high number of newcomers named among the squads.

Squad numbers vary, from the 30 named by the Highlanders to the 35 by the Crusaders, as franchises call in extra cover for All Blacks who are to be rested for stages of next year's competition.

Among the Super 14 newcomers is wing David Smith, who made such an impression in his maiden season for Auckland in the Air New Zealand Cup this season.

Smith has been drafted by the Hurricanes, reflecting the Blues' depth in the outside backs.

The Blues will field four newcomers in Auckland prop Chris Heard, flanker Onosa'i Tololima-Auva'a, wing James Somerset and Waikato prop Sam Biddles.

Waikato prop Craig West, who earned favourable reviews as his province won the inaugural cup, has earned promotion to the Chiefs, as has fellow front rower Aled de Malmanche, lock Toby Lynn, halfback Brendon Leonard, midfield back Richard Kahui, utility back Dwayne Sweeney, as well as Bay of Plenty first five-eighth Murray Williams.

Hurricanes: Wellington flanker Serge Lilo, halfback Alby Mathewson and wing Cory Jane, Manawatu lock Hayden Triggs, Canterbury flanker Hayden Hopgood and Southland first five-eighth Blair Stewart have all been selected by the Hurricanes for the first time.

The Crusaders have named Canterbury loose forwards Kieran Read and Peter Nixon, hooker Ti'i Paulo, locks Michael Paterson and Isaac Ross, midfield back Tim Bateman and first five-eighth Stephen Brett.

Also, they have gone outside Canterbury to include Tasman prop Ben May, Tasman flanker Jonathon Poff, Northland loose forward Jake Paringatai and North Harbour first five-eighth Tusi Pisi.

The Highlanders also contained a number of new faces at Super 14 level, among them Tasman winger Lucky Mulipola, Otago prop Keith Cameron, loose forwards Alando Soakai and Ezra Taylor, halfback Toby Morland, fullback Craig Clare, first five-eighth Charlie Hore, midfielder Aaron Bancroft, winger Greg Zampach, Southland hooker David Hall, prop Jamie Mackintosh, lock Kane Thompson and midfielder Jason Kawau.

The full squads include 16 draft players while seven players are returning to Super rugby -- Otago fullback Glen Horton, Auckland loose forward Jerome Kaino, hooker Derren Witcombe, Waikato lock Keith Robinson, Wellington hooker Mahonri Schwalger, Taranaki prop Tony Penn and North Harbour wing Rudi Wulf.

New Zealand Rugby Union deputy chief executive Steve Tew said the 2007 World Cup meant next year was "a unique year" for the New Zealand Super 14 sides, allowing a number of players who had been identified during the cup an opportunity to further their careers at the next level.

"The selected squads are evidence of the real depth across the country and the injection of exciting, new players will add real spice to the competition," he said.

Super 14 squads:

¹ indicates new Rebel Sport Super 14 player.
² indicates returning Super 14 player.
³ indicates draft player.

Blues: John Afoa (Auckland), Ben Atiga (Auckland), Sam Biddles ¹ ³ (Waikato), Anthony Boric (North Harbour), Daniel Braid (Auckland), Justin Collins (Auckland), Steve Devine (Auckland), Troy Flavell (Auckland), David Gibson (Auckland), Chris Heard ¹ (Auckland), David Holwell (Northland) Doug Howlett (Auckland), Jerome Kaino ² (Auckland), Luke McAlister (North Harbour), Angus Macdonald (Auckland), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Isa Nacewa (Auckland), George Pisi (North Harbour), Greg Rawlinson (North Harbour), Josevata Rokocoko (Auckland), James Somerset ¹ (Auckland), Saimone Taumoepeau (Auckland), Isaia Toeava (Auckland), Onosa'i Tololima-Auva'a ¹ (Auckland), Anthony Tuitavake (North Harbour), Sam Tuitupou (Auckland), Nick White (Auckland), Ali Williams (Auckland), Nick Williams (North Harbour), Derren Witcombe ² (Auckland), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour), Rudi Wulf ² (North Harbour).

Chiefs: Sosene Anesi (Waikato), Steven Bates (Waikato), Ben Castle (Bay of Plenty), Simms Davison (Bay of Plenty), Aled de Malmanche ¹ (Waikato), Stephen Donald (Waikato), Jono Gibbes (Waikato), Marty Holah (Waikato), Richard Kahui ¹ (Waikato), Byron Kelleher (Waikato), Roy Kinikinilau (Waikato), Tanerau Latimer (Bay of Plenty), Sione Lauaki (Waikato), Tasesa Lavea ³ (Auckland), Brendon Leonard ¹ (Waikato), Toby Lynn ¹ (Waikato), Lelia Masaga (Counties Manukau),
Liam Messam (Waikato), Malili Muliaina (Waikato), Jamie Nutbrown (Bay of Plenty), Kristian Ormsby (Counties Manukau), Keith Robinson ² (Waikato), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato), Dwayne Sweeney ¹ (Waikato), Niva Ta'auso (Counties Manukau), Anthony Tahana (Bay of Plenty), Tane Tu'ipulotu ³ (Wellington), Craig West ¹ (Waikato), Nathan White (Waikato), Murray Williams ¹ (Bay of Plenty), Tom Willis (Waikato).

Hurricanes: Luke Andrews (Wellington), Jerry Collins (Wellington), Jason Eaton (Taranaki), Tamati Ellison (Wellington), Lome Fa'atau (Wellington), Tim Fairbrother (Wellington), Hosea Gear (Wellington), Jimmy Gopperth (Wellington), Hayden Hopgood ¹ ³ (Canterbury), Andrew Hore (Taranaki), Cory Jane ¹ (Wellington), Tone Kopelani ³ (Canterbury), Nili Latu ³ (Bay of Plenty), Serge Lilo ¹ (Wellington), Chris Masoe (Wellington), Alby Mathewson ¹ (Wellington), Bradley Mika ³ (Auckland), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), Shannon Paku (Wellington), Tony Penn ² (Taranaki), John Schwalger (Wellington), Mahonri Schwalger ² (Wellington), Conrad Smith (Wellington), David Smith ¹ ³ (Auckland), Chris Smylie ³ (Otago), Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Blair Stewart ¹ ³ (Southland), Neemia Tialata (Wellington), Paul Tito (Taranaki), Hayden Triggs ¹ (Manawatu), Tana Umaga (Wellington), Bernie Upton (Wellington), Thomas Waldrom (Wellington), Piri Weepu (Wellington).

Crusaders: Tim Bateman ¹ (Canterbury), Stephen Brett ¹ (Canterbury), Daniel Carter (Canterbury), Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury), Andy Ellis (Canterbury), Ross Filipo ³ (Wellington), Corey Flynn (Canterbury), Ben Franks (Canterbury), Rico Gear (Tasman), Scott Hamilton (Canterbury), Chris Jack (Tasman), Campbell Johnstone (Canterbury), Casey Laulala (Canterbury), Johnny Leo'o (Canterbury), Richie McCaw (Canterbury), Leon MacDonald (Canterbury), Aaron Mauger (Canterbury), Ben May ¹ (Tasman), Peter Nixon ¹ (Canterbury), Kevin O'Neill (Canterbury), Jake Paringatai ¹ ³ (Northland), Michael Paterson ¹ (Canterbury), Ti'i Paulo ¹ (Canterbury), Tusi Pisi ¹ ³ (North Harbour), Jonathon Poff ¹ (Tasman), Caleb Ralph (Canterbury), Kieran Read ¹ (Canterbury), Isaac Ross ¹ (Canterbury), Kevin Senio (Canterbury), Greg Somerville (Canterbury), Reuben Thorne (Canterbury), Rua Tipoki (Canterbury), Mose Tuiali'i (Canterbury), Brent Ward ³ (Auckland), Paul Williams (Canterbury).

Highlanders: Aaron Bancroft ¹ (Otago), Josh Blackie (Otago), Callum Bruce (Otago), Keith Cameron ¹ (Otago), Craig Clare ¹ (Otago), Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Clarke Dermody (Southland), Nick Evans (Otago), David Hall ¹ (Southland), Carl Hayman (Otago), Charlie Hore ¹ (Otago), Glen Horton ² (Otago), Jason Kawau ¹ (Southland), Chris King (Otago), Filipo Levi (Otago), Jason Macdonald (Otago), Hoani MacDonald (Southland), Jamie Mackintosh ¹ (Southland), Toby Morland ¹ (Otago), Lucky Mulipola ¹ ³ (Tasman), Craig Newby (Otago), Anton Oliver (Otago), James Ryan (Otago), Matt Saunders (Otago), Alando Soakai ¹ (Otago), Ezra Taylor ¹ (Otago), Kane Thompson ¹ (Southland), Hale T-Pole (Southland), Viliame Waqaseduadua ³ (North Harbour), Greg Zampach ¹ (Otago).

- NZPA