Rugby-New Zealand announce expanded Super 14 squads
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-10-27 09:56
An extra 42 players have been included in New Zealand's five teams for next
year's Super 14 season as part of a plan to give the country's internationals a
rest before the World Cup.
New Zealand named an elite squad of 22 players, including All Blacks skipper
Richie McCaw and flyhalf Dan Carter, that will be excused from the first seven
weeks of Super 14 to take part in a conditioning programme.
Coach Graham Henry wants to keep his best players fresh for the World Cup at
the end of the season although he made it clear none of the players were
guaranteed selection and any players left out were still eligible to be picked.
New Zealand Rugby Union deputy chief executive Steve Tew said the plan had
opened the way for a new crop of players to get their first chance at playing in
the southern hemisphere's toughest provincial competition.
"The selected squads are evidence of the real depth across the country and
the injection of exciting, new players will add real spice to the competition,"
Tew said in a statement.
The 2007 Super 14 kicks off on February 2 when Auckland host Canterbury and
ends with the final on May 19.
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