New All Black Devine named in Blues squad

2:00pm

New All Blacks halfback Steve Devine was named in the Auckland Blues 2003 Super 12 squad today in what appears to be a hasty reversal by selectors.

Devine was reportedly not included in any New Zealand Super 12 franchise and was considering returning to his homeland Australia until yesterday's surprise national team selection announcement.

Devine admitted today that just 48 hours ago he was seriously considering leaving New Zealand rugby.

"After we (Auckland) made it to the (NPC) final, there were a few thoughts like that going on," Devine told Radio Sport.

"It's been amazing. Last week I was in all sorts of doubt, I didn't know what I was going to do. Now it's just unbelievable."

With David Gibson the other Blues halfback named today, the big loser is this year's first-choice No 9 Mark Robinson. The North Harbour captain would now hope to be picked up by another franchise in the player draft. That will probably be the Chiefs, who were to announce their squad tomorrow.

The entire 28-strong Blues squad comes from within their franchise area.

There are 12 changes from this year's squad which finished sixth with six wins and five losses.

Props Deacon Manu and Nick White are introduced for Mike Storey and Frenchman Christian Califano. Manu is under a question mark as he wants to remain with the Chiefs and the contract he signed with the Blues is being challenged.

Hooker Keven Mealamu returns from a year with the Chiefs to replace Slade McFarland while Bradley Mika, who was picked up by the Crusaders this year, is named at lock in the place of Glenn Taylor.

New All Blacks flanker Daniel Braid replaces Matua Parkinson while Angus MacDonald is introduced to the forward mix at the expense of Blair Urlich and Samiu Vahafalou.

In the backs, Orene Ai'i returns to his home province, replacing James Arlidge. Veteran Lee Stensness is added to the midfield, along with young talent Sam Tuitupou, in place of Mark Mayerhofler.

Shannon Paku is named at fullback after shifting from Wellington while young national sevens flier Joe Rokocoko earns a spot on the wing.

Former All Blacks No 8 Ron Cribb is a notable re-selection. He suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear to his right knee early in this year's Super 12 and has not played since.

Meanwhile three Auckland B players -- Samiu Vahafalou, James Arlidge, and Paul Williams -- will join the Highlanders for next year's Super 12 rugby championship.

Vahafalou's return to the Highlanders means Southland stalwart Paul Miller has been displaced at No 8, while Arlidge is preferred over Otago NPC first five-eighth Blair Feeney to back up Tony Brown at first five-eighth.

Other new faces to the Highlanders include Auckland's Paul Williams, son of All Black legend Bryan Williams, Fijian international Seru Rabeni and Southland forwards Ben Herring, Clarke Dermody and Daniel Quate.

Williams and Rabeni replace the retired Jeff Wilson and Iliesa Tanivula.

Returning to the Highlanders from a stint in France is Josh Blackie who played for the team last year.

Vahafolau played nine games for the Highlanders last year, scoring three tries, but was part of the Blues squad this year.

He was hardly used by the Blues and was unable to make it into the Auckland side which won the NPC, spending the campaign in the B side.

Arlidge, 23, a key player in Northland's strong NPC last year, has had Super 12 experience with the Blues but has been understudy to Carlos Spencer throughout his career.




Highlanders squad:



Backs: James Arlidge, Tony Brown, Brad Fleming, Byron Kelleher, Danny Lee, Seilala Mapusua, Ryan Nicholas, Seru Rabeni, Paul Steinmetz, Aisea Tuilevu, Willie Walker, Paul Williams.

Forwards: Josh Blackie, Peter Bowden, Clarke Dermody, Sam Harding, Carl Hayman, Ben Herring, Carl Hoeft, Filipo Levi, Simon Maling, Joe McDonnell, Kelvin Middleton, Anton Oliver, Daniel Quate, Taine Randell (captain), Samiu Vahafolau, Tom Willis.






Crusaders squad (from Canterbury unless stated):


Fullback: Leon MacDonald, Ben Blair. Wing: Joe Maddock, Caleb Ralph, Marika Vunibaka, Scott Hamilton. Midfield backs: Mark Robinson, Nathan Mauger, Aaron Mauger. First five-eighth: Andrew Mehrtens, Daniel Carter. Halfback: Justin Marshall, Ben Hurst. Loose forwards: Scott Robertson, Sam Broomhall, Matt Mustchin, Richard McCaw, Johnny Leo'o, Reuben Thorne. Locks: Chris Jack, Norm Maxwell, Bryce Williams. Props: Greg Somerville, Chris King, Dave Hewett, Greg Feek. Hookers: Mark Hammett, Corey Flynn.




Blues squad:


Fullback: Shannon Paku (Wellington), Malili Muliaina. Wing: Doug Howlett, Rupeni Caucaunibuca (Northland), Joe Rokocoko. Midfield backs: Jason Shoemark (Northland), Rico Gear, Sam Tuitupou, Lee Stensness. First five-eighth: Carlos Spencer, Orene Ai'i. Halfback: Steve Devine, David Gibson.

Loose forwards: Xavier Rush, Ron Cribb, Daniel Braid, Justin Collins, Angus MacDonald. Locks: Bradley Mika, Ali Williams, Troy Flavell (North Harbour), Vula Maimuri (Northland). Props: Kees Meeuws, Deacon Manu, Nick White, Tony Woodcock. Hookers: Keven Mealamu, Derren Witcombe (Northland).

Chiefs

Fullback: Todd Miller, Loki Crichton. Wing: Roger Randle, Sitivini Sivivatu (Counties-Manukau), Shayne Austin (Taranaki). Midfield backs: Regan King, Keith Lowen, Mark Ranby. First five-eighth: David Hill, Glen Jackson (Bay of Plenty). Halfback: Rhys Duggan, Isaac Boss.

Loose forwards: Paul Miller (Southland), Steven Bates, Marty Holah, Scott Couch, Wayne Ormond (Bay of Plenty), Jonno Gibbes. Locks: Keith Robinson, Glenn Taylor (Northland), Reece Robinson (Taranaki), Chresten Davis. Props: David Briggs, Michael Collins, Tony Philp. Hookers: Greg Smith, Shane Carter (Wellington). (One to be added).

- NZPA