ozbash
Referee
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Former All Blacks hardman Troy Flavell will play for the Blues in next year's Super 14 after being contracted by Auckland.
The 28-year-old, who has been playing Japan, has crossed the bridge from his old North Harbour province to base himself at Eden Park.
Flavell signed on Friday before the 5pm deadline for players to be contracted to the New Zealand Rugby Union to be eligible for Super 14 selection in next year's expanded championship.
The Dominion Post newspaper reported that Auckland had headed off interest from the Hurricanes and Crusaders regions for the lock who can also play on the blindside.
Flavell, a hugely physical player, won't be available for the All Blacks Grand Slam tour in November because he has not played in New Zealand this year.
But with Graham Henry previously suggesting Flavell still had a role to play in New Zealand game it looks likely that he will make his way back into the All Blacks frame.
It's a timely return with New Zealand short of experienced locks although there is a growing depth of young second row talent in the NPC.
So Flavell will have to prove his worth as a player and also that his disicpline has improved if he is to step back into the test arena.
Flavell played 15 tests for the All Blacks from 2000 to 2002 but missed out on a World Cup chance the following year when he was suspended for 12 weeks for stomping on the head of Chiefs hooker Greg Smith in a Super 12 game when playing for the Blues.
Frustrated, he headed off to Japan but has returned home early to rekindle his World Cup dream by targeting the 2007 tournament in France.
In other contract news it seems the Hurricanes have secured lock Luke Andrews for another year and the new Tasman NPC venture has former All Blacks prop Greg Feek heading their way from Canterbury.
i,ll give him 3 games before he fronts the judiciary.
this clown makes richard loe look like a saint.
Former All Blacks hardman Troy Flavell will play for the Blues in next year's Super 14 after being contracted by Auckland.
The 28-year-old, who has been playing Japan, has crossed the bridge from his old North Harbour province to base himself at Eden Park.
Flavell signed on Friday before the 5pm deadline for players to be contracted to the New Zealand Rugby Union to be eligible for Super 14 selection in next year's expanded championship.
The Dominion Post newspaper reported that Auckland had headed off interest from the Hurricanes and Crusaders regions for the lock who can also play on the blindside.
Flavell, a hugely physical player, won't be available for the All Blacks Grand Slam tour in November because he has not played in New Zealand this year.
But with Graham Henry previously suggesting Flavell still had a role to play in New Zealand game it looks likely that he will make his way back into the All Blacks frame.
It's a timely return with New Zealand short of experienced locks although there is a growing depth of young second row talent in the NPC.
So Flavell will have to prove his worth as a player and also that his disicpline has improved if he is to step back into the test arena.
Flavell played 15 tests for the All Blacks from 2000 to 2002 but missed out on a World Cup chance the following year when he was suspended for 12 weeks for stomping on the head of Chiefs hooker Greg Smith in a Super 12 game when playing for the Blues.
Frustrated, he headed off to Japan but has returned home early to rekindle his World Cup dream by targeting the 2007 tournament in France.
In other contract news it seems the Hurricanes have secured lock Luke Andrews for another year and the new Tasman NPC venture has former All Blacks prop Greg Feek heading their way from Canterbury.
i,ll give him 3 games before he fronts the judiciary.
this clown makes richard loe look like a saint.
