NZ Super 14 franchises confirm backup players for 2007; Hurricanes granted extra playerThe backup players for the five New Zealand Super 14 franchises have been confirmed.
The announcement of the wider training groups follows the selection of the 2007 Super 14 squads last month. The backup players will train part time with the Super 14 squads and provide cover in the case of injuries.
Each franchise is allowed to include seven players in its wider training group, although the Hurricanes have been granted an extra player at the agreement of the NZRU and the other franchises.
The full wider training squads for 2007 are as follows:
Blues: North Harbour prop James Afoa, Auckland hooker Tom McCartney, Auckland lock Kurtis Haiu, Auckland loose forward Andrew Blowers, Auckland halfback Taniela Moa, Auckland midfielder Jamie Helleur and Northland winger Rene Ranger.
Chiefs: Counties Manukau prop Sekope Kepu, Waikato hooker Scott Linklater, Counties Manukau lock Andrew Van Der Heijden, Waikato flanker Steven Setephano, Waikato halfback David Bason, Bay of Plenty first five-eighth Mike Delany and Bay of Plenty midfielder Cory Aporo.
Hurricanes: Wellington prop Anthony Perenise, Wellington hooker Luke Mahoney, Wellington lock Jeremy Thrush, Wellington lock Ross Kennedy, Manawatu flanker Nick Crosswell, Hawke?s Bay lock / loose forward George Naoupu, Taranaki halfback Brett Goodin and Wellington first five-eighth Miah Nikora.
Crusaders: Canterbury prop Mike Smith, Canterbury hooker Steve Fualau, Canterbury lock Craig Clarke, Tasman halfback Kahn Fotuali?i, Canterbury midfielder Ben Nowell, Canterbury wing Steven Yates and Canterbury wing Nick Thomson.
Highlanders: Otago prop Jeremy Aldworth, Otago hooker Jed Vercoe, Otago loose forward Adam Thomson, Otago halfback Ryan McCarthy, Southland first five-eighth James Wilson, Southland fullback Pehi Te Whare and Southland wing Willie Rickards.
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