Halfback delighted he's got the Blues

In another of the comebacks that have been in vogue lately, halfback David Gibson has recovered from neck surgery to make it back into the Blues.

Gibson was one of the bright lights for the Blues, a rising talent in three campaigns before his last two seasons were shredded by injury.

He had surgery last year to fuse two discs in his neck and was preparing for this season's Super 14 series when another scan showed the injury had not healed fully.

"This time they went in through the back of my neck to sort it out," Gibson said.

"It's good now. It was frustrating being in a neck brace the first time for five weeks and 10 weeks the second time. There were many times when I thought I would not be playing again but this is great."

The 26-year-old with a Phys Ed degree from Otago immersed himself in business studies in Auckland as he readied himself for a pessimistic sporting prognosis.

Instead, there was a rugby lifeline. After a favourable report, Gibson started with his Papatoetoe club then shifted to Northland as a loan player this season in the Air New Zealand Cup.

And yesterday he was named in the squad to deal with the second year of the Super 14.

Gibson was one of a group who have recuperated from serious injury (the others are Justin Collins, Troy Flavell, Angus Macdonald, Derren Witcombe and Rudi Wulf) to be chosen for the squad.

Tasesa Lavea, Brent Ward, Viliame Waqaseduadua and Rua Tipoki, Blues players from this season, have gone elsewhere. Kurtis Haiu and Tim Dow missed selection and Mike Noble is heading overseas.

Changes from this year are the inclusion of props Chris Heard and Sam Biddles who is the only draft inclusion, James Somerset, Isaia Toeava, Sam Tuitupou, David Holwell, Jerome Kaino, Onosai Tololima-Auva'a and Nick White.

Players who were not in the initial limit of 24 protected players from the region like Waqaseduadua, Bradley Mika, Ward, David Smith, Lavea, Jake Paringatai and Tusi Pisi, have been picked in the draft.

Coach David Nucifora would not disclose his plans for a captain to replace Keven Mealamu who is on national reconditioning duty with Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock and Joe Rokocoko for the first half of next year's series.

The main candidates seem to be Flavell or Macdonald who are both nearing full fitness after chest and knee operations.

Nor would Nucifora confirm whether David Holwell was his top choice first five-eighths to replace the discarded Lavea who has moved to the Chiefs. Holwell will turn 32 before the next series and there are murmurs he will share the duties with Isa Nacewa and Luke McAlister.

"Like any of your older players with the intensity of Super 14 you have to manage guys - but Holwell is a tough little bugger and he is up for it, he is keen.

"It is a bit early to commit to who will be the preferred start but he gives us the experience and leadership that we are looking for in a key position.

"You speak to him and he is not the sort of bloke who is content to sit on the sidelines."

Nucifora said his greatest selection demand was to find players who could deal with the intensity and churn out consistent work every week over the season.

Blues Moves (2006-2007)

Incoming
Chris Heard
Sam Biddles
James Somerset
Isaia Toeava
Sam Tuitupou
David Holwell
Jerome Kaino
Onosai Tololima-Auva'a
Nick White

Drafted Elsewhere
Tasesa Lavea
Brent Ward
Viliame Waqaseduadua

Moved On
Rua Tipoki

Not Wanted
Tim Dow, Kurtis Haiu (right)