The New Zealand Rugby Union have announced the wider training groups for their 2013 Super Rugby teams with some notable inclusions.
Twenty five additional players were named on Thursday and will report for duty for the first time with their franchises next week.
Commonwealth Games Sevens gold medalist Kurt Baker heads to the Crusaders after failing to make the Highlanders squad.
The Chiefs have confirmed the signing of Pauliasi Manu after the prop's move to the Melbourne Rebels fell through.
Manu had switched to the Rebels from the Blues, however he returned to New Zealand after failing a medical due to a neck problem.
However following extensive investigations, including consulting a top spinal specialist, the Chiefs team doctor, the NZRU Medical Director Doctor and the Auckland team doctor have all deemed that Manu is completely fit to play.
Manu replaces Bay of Plenty prop Josh Hohneck in the squad, after Hohneck badly injured his ankle in a farming accident.
The Highlanders have confirmed Tony Ensor, Huge Blake, Doug Tietjens, Bronson Murray and Frae Wilson as their wider training group.
Murray initially joined the Highlanders in 2010 after previous stints at the Blues and Crusaders, with the prop having been selected for the Maori All Blacks last season.
Tietjens remains at the Highlanders for a second season, having first caught the eye of coach Jamie Joseph in the ITM Cup with Manawatu.
Wilson, Ensor and New Zealand U20s international Blake will all be making their first forays into Super Rugby.
New Zealand Super Rugby wider training groups:
Blues:
Pita Ahki
Joe Edwards
Albert Nikoro
Sean Polwart
Lolagi Visinia
Chiefs:
Mike Kainga
Michael Leitch
Pauliasi Manu
Maritino Nemani
Matt Vant Leven
Hurricanes:
Richard Buckman
Mike Coman
Ash Dixon
Callum Gibbins
Ope Peleseuma
Crusaders:
Kurt Baker
Adrian Barone
Joel Everson
Paea Fa'anunu
Kieron Fonotia
Highlanders:
Hugh Blake
Tony Ensor
Bronson Murray
Doug Tietjens
Frae Wilson
Comments
ferdie says...
Preest - good spotting, missed that name on the list.
Michael Leitch deserves an article, what an interesting career, if he gets game time he'll be the third Japan international in the 2013 Super season.
He is originally from Christchurch, NZ and moved to Japan at age 15 and went on to play in their schoolboy team, their Under-20 team, 2 years for Toshiba club and gained 28 test caps since 2008 for the national Japan Brave Blossom's side including four matches in 2011 RWC.
He's in the wider training squad for the Chiefs super squad in 2013 so may not see any top-level game time, but good luck to him, all skills/exp he'll take back to Japan with him.
Posted 00:48 11th December 2012
passtheball says...
Hard to become a star from the wider training squad Jonesy. Sometimes it comes down to who the coaches likes. How Renata has not been given a berth is beyond me - a wasted talent?
Posted 12:11 09th December 2012
PREEST says...
I went to High School with Micheal Leitch, I didn't know he was back in NZ.
Posted 00:21 09th December 2012
jonesy2 says...
great call to give baker a shot. could become a serious star
Posted 07:10 08th December 2012