Rugby: Recruitment battle begins

Tom Donnelly is one of a number of established players yet to sign but it is thought he will stay with the Highlanders. Photo / Getty Images

The Super 15 recruitment war can finally begin in earnest with franchises now cleared to buy players directly and a flurry of signings expected in the coming weeks.

The biggest names yet to commit include Adam Thomson, Tom Donnelly, Colin Slade and Jared Payne. Most established players yet to decide are likely to sign in the next few weeks. Franchises are keen to reach the last weeks of the ITM Cup certain of how many places they have left for fresh talent.

Thomson is mulling a switch from the Highlanders to the Crusaders and Slade is considering a move the other way. Donnelly has the option to leave Dunedin but may stay, while Payne, the Northland captain, is likely to move from the Crusaders to the Blues.

Each franchise can contract a minimum of 30 players for next year and a maximum of 32. Already the make-up has become clearer, with four of the five franchises believed to have confirmed up to 24 places.

The exception is the Highlanders, who have kept more places open as new coach Jamie Joseph tries to re-establish the Southerners as an effective force.

While the notion of direct contracting has been around for the past year, it was only last week that the system was ratified. The big difference now is players are free to choose which province they play for - and that will not determine who they play for in the Super15.

That's why Israel Dagg was able to extend his contract with Hawke's Bay and also sign with the Crusaders.

A complex process of switching players from New Zealand Rugby Union contracts to franchise contracts has been ongoing for the past six months.

That work was completed last week and the five franchises submitted the list of players they have locked in. The market now knows who is available and the Highlanders in particular are trying to snaffle the remaining free agents.

The other four have mostly nailed down the critical components of their squads and are looking to fill the remaining places with those who impress during the ITM Cup. Each franchise can initially pick 28 players with the remaining places filled through the draft.

The Blues have the spine of their team in place, having convinced Alby Mathewson and Stephen Brett to stay. They have depth at prop with John Afoa, Tony Woodcock, Charlie Faumuina and Tevita Mailau, and are hopeful Ali Williams will recover in time.

They also hope Payne will commit as a replacement for Paul Williams now that Dagg has joined the Crusaders.

The Chiefs and Hurricanes are in equally good shape and looking to recruit locally. The Crusaders have done much to strengthen their squad through the acquisitions of Sonny Bill Williams and Dagg but suffered a major clean-out this year with Daniel Bowden, Tim Bateman, Peter Borlase, Thomas Waldrom and Ti'i Paulo heading offshore.

If they lose Slade, the Crusaders will be in the market for a back-up first five, as will the Hurricanes, who have lost Willie Ripia to the Western Force. Coach Todd Blackadder might be tempted to take a risk with Tyler Bleyendaal, captain of this year's World Cup-winning New Zealand under-20 team.

The other challenge they may face is accommodating 32 players within their allocated budget. Franchises are now in control of their funds and, with a host of star All Blacks already on their books and Dagg and Williams also having been signed, money could become an issue.

If Thomson signs, the Crusaders may have to run with the minimum squad of 30 or fill their last two places with younger, inexperienced players they can sign on the minimum contract.