Levi gain for Japan is loss for Taniwha

When Northland coach Bryce Woodward last night announced a squad of 30 for this year's Air New Zealand Cup competition,  Josh Levi's name was conspicuously absent.
Levi boarded a plane bound for Tokyo on Monday to sign a year's contract with Japanese club Yamaha, meaning he will no longer figure in Woodward's plans for the 2009 season.
 That took the gloss off Woodward's announcement and creates a second problem area for him - that of first five-eighth back-up.
"Good luck to him, obviously, and the money they can offer him there is hugely superior to what we can offer him here, but it does create a headache for us in terms of a back-up at No10," he said.
Woodward and forwards' coach Blair Larsen have bracketed two possible loan players in the squad as line-out specialists and haven't ruled out looking for more.
"I'm happy enough with our starting line-up except for a middle of the line-up jumper - so there's a little uncertainty there," Woodward said. "As far as the back-up goes we still have a few holes to fill."
Many of the players named in addition to the 16 already contracted players may have to wait some time before being offered a contract, with Woodward  waiting to see what  options may open up when the rest of the  squads are named.
Marist's Matt Wallace has been named  with contracted props Justin Davies, Bronson Murray and Karl Haitana. Tim Dow and Robbie Abel are bracketed  in the vacant hooker spot to cover the contracted Mikaele Tu'u'u.
"At this stage it depends on Tim, he's looking at overseas options at the moment and his availability depends on what offers he gets and what we see from him in club rugby in the next few weeks," Woodward said.
Dow made an immediate impact for Hikurangi in club rugby on Saturday and his unexpected recent arrival in Northland has been a pleasant surprise for Woodward.
Dan Goodwin is the only contracted lock but Waikato's Ben Pirini, who featured in last week's trial, will be given another chance to  impress the selectors.
"We're still looking at all of our options and we'd like to see him play more rugby and have him come to at least one of our trainings, so we can see where he's up to," Woodward said.
That could mean the side will have two loaned locks, because they already have a loan agreement with Wellington's Chris Middleton, but Woodward won't know if he'll be in the squad until the Wellington squad is named.
Few surprises emerged in the loose forwards, with Justin "Gus" Collins, Roy Griffin and Joel McKenty already contracted and Matt Clutterbuck to be added to the roster after a good trial.
 Marist's Cameron Eyre, Old Boys' captain Matt Harrison and Marist's Junior Endolo have been bracketed together for one contract as the team's No8.
"Essentially we'll only name one of those guys but that depends on Gus Collins - if Gus isn't fit then it might be two," Woodward said.
Adam Clarke has been named  as injury cover at halfback, with  Rhyan Caine and Luke Hamilton already contracted.
Lachie Munro is the only first five-eighth contracted and with Levi playing  in Japan, Woodward will go back to the drawing board.
Derek Carpenter and Nick Collins fill the centre spots, with Rene Ranger and Troy Woodman contracted as wingers and Jared Payne as the specialist fullback. Damien Fakafunua, Sione Mafi and Brooke Gilmore have been named  as wing/midfield cover.
The coaches will be looking for lock and first five-eighth loan players and aren't discounting seeking  another winger.
"Once (Auckland coaches) Mark Anscombe and Andrew Strawbridge get back from Japan they'll be getting to grips with their squad which will allow us to see what's available to us for loan players," Woodwood said.
Contracted players: J Davies, B Murray, K Haitana, M Tu'u'u, D Goodwin, J Collins, R Griffen, J McKenty, L Hamilton, R Caine, L Munro, D Carpenter, N Collins, T Woodman, R Ranger, J Payne.
Rest of Northland squad: M Wallace, T Dow, R Abel, B Pirini, M Clutterbuck, C Eyre, M Harrison, J Endolo, A Clarke, D Fakafunua, S Mafi, B Gilmore. Also: W Dunn, A Ritchie (development squad players).