Top players to skip next year's Super 14

One of rugby's worst kept secrets was confirmed by the NZRU in Auckland this morning.

Twenty-two All Blacks will be rested out of next year's Super 14.

The 22 as yet un-named players will not play at this stage until round eight in April.

The players will have a lengthy break after the end of year tour before undergoing a rehab and conditioning programme in February and March.

The decision was signed off at a New Zealand Rugby Union board meeting last Friday after consultation with players, Super 14 teams, sponsors and broadcasters.

The Super 14 teams will have expanded squads as a result.

The 22 players will be named at the end of the Tri-Nations.

Meanwhile prop Carl Hayman will travel with the All Blacks to South Africa but will not play in next weekend's Tri-Nations test against the Springboks in Pretoria.

Hayman left the field in the first half of last night's match at Eden Park after taking a head knock.

Meanwhile 19 All Blacks have flown out for the Republic this morning, with a further 11 leaving tomorrow.

Coach Graham Henry is expected to make around a dozen changes for next weekend's test, the first of two in South Africa.

- NEWSTALK ZB