NZ will rest 22 players from Super 14

[Danny]

NZ aims to rest 22 players for half of the Super 14 season to instead partake in a conditioning program.

News Ltd are obviously very disappointed and are already seeking compensation

All Blacks conditioning program in 2007

September 11, 2006 - 8:15PM
FOXSPORTS

All Blacks management has announced the 22 players who will miss half next year's Super 14 competition to participate in a national 'conditioning program'.

Coach Graham Henry announced the squad on Monday night, arguing the program was critical to the welfare of the country's leading players.

"Many of our best athletes have played several years of continuous rugby without a chance to really get their bodies right," Henry said in a statement.

"The conditioning program is important for their well being in the long term and also important to our chances of winning the World Cup."

Henry's move to rest players for seven weeks during the Super 14 in 2007 has sparked fierce debate and led to the competition's financial backer, News Ltd, signalling it will seek compensation.

News Ltd signed a $NZ660 million ($A558.45 million) contract with the SANZAR unions - South Africa, New Zealand and Australia - in 2004.

New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) chairman Jock Hobbs travelled to Sydney last week to placate the broadcaster, and both parties will return to the negotiating table to avoid the prospect of litigation.

Henry's plan to condition 22 World Cup contenders during the Super 14 angered News Ltd, who claimed it had not been advised of the NZRU's plan.

Henry emphasised that participation in the conditioning program did not guarantee a place in the All Blacks' rugby World Cup squad next year.

"We have included 22 of our leading players in the conditioning program, but there are no guarantees.

"There is a long way to go before we name the World Cup squad and a large group of players are pushing for selection. The door is definitely open."

The players have been named now to allow Super 14 franchises time to plan their campaigns and identify players who will join their squads while the All Blacks take part in their conditioning programme next year.

Henry noted that the group of 14 forwards and eight backs would not change in the event of injuries during the domestic Air New Zealand Cup or the All Blacks' tour of Europe in November.

Prop Greg Somerville has been named in the conditioning group, even though a long-term injury will see him sidelined for an estimated six months anyway.

He tore his achilles during the Tri-Nations test against South Africa in Pretoria

Players selected for the conditioning program:

Forwards: Jerry Collins, Jason Eaton, Carl Hayman, Andrew Hore , Chris Jack, Richie McCaw, Chris Masoe, Keven Mealamu , Anton Oliver, Greg Somerville, Rodney So'oialo, Reuben Thorne , Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock.

Backs: Dan Carter , Byron Kelleher, Leon MacDonald , Aaron Mauger, Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Piri Weepu.

© 2006 AAP

[Mike Davis]

With all these all blacks missing from the competition next year will it give the south african teams a chance to make the semis?

Will the aussie teams dominate or will the nz teams suffer big time from missing the exeperience and quality of these players as the nsw and ACT teams have in the current Aussie provincial competition.

I reckon the nz teams will suffer as they wont have enough quality players to handle the speed and skill of the super 14 competition. i hope the aussie teams do dominate and that 3 of them make the semis. The force will do a lot better next year and queensland will win a few more games.

[Nicholas]

I think that is good. Maybe then, the Waratahs will finally win. (Go the Waratahs). I doubt that the South African teams will be any good. They struggle away from home and that would be a huge problem for them.

[Nicholas]

Forty-two players will make debuts for New Zealand franchises in rugby union's Super 14 next year when leading test players are rested for half of the competition.

Lists released by the New Zealand Rugby Union show the high concentration of new players is the main feature of the squads of between 30 and 35 players named by the Auckland Blues, Canterbury Crusaders, Otago Highlanders, Waikato Chiefs and Wellington Hurricanes.

Most squads are carrying larger-than-usual numbers to compensate for the absence of 22 leading All Blacks from the first seven rounds of the 2007 competition. The international players have been earmarked by New Zealand coach Graham Henry to rest ahead of the World Cup in France.

New Zealand Rugby Union deputy chief executive Steve Tew said the World Cup meant 2007 was "a unique year" for the New Zealand Super 14 sides.

"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," he said.

A total of 16 players have been taken from a draft pool, through which franchises can fill positions from players based outside their own regions.

Players returning to Super 14 rugby after recent absences include former All Blacks Jerome Kaino and Derren Witcombe, with the Auckland Blues, Keith Robinson, with the Waikato Chiefs, and Tony Penn with the Wellington Hurricanes.

The newcomers include exciting winger David Smith, who played for Auckland in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship but has been drafted by Wellington, and Waikato centre Richard Kahui, who came close to selection in the All Blacks squad named last week to tour Europe.