Highlanders: Sam Harding

By CHRIS RATTUE

There was supposed to be a new Josh in town after the famous Kronfeld vacated the Otago and Highlanders openside flanker position.

Josh Blackie seemed to be earmarked for the spot, but suddenly another exciting prospect has taken the No 7 jersey. The 21-year-old Sam Harding was one of the finds of last year's NPC season, and has won a place in Laurie Mains' Highlanders squad ahead of Blackie, who is in the development team.

Mains brought in North Harbour's Craig Newby as his other openside to lend some experience to the position. Newby has impressed Mains in the trial matches, but it is expected that Harding and Blackie will duel for the Otago and Highlanders spot in years to come.

Harding was a "swap" for Richard McCaw, the brilliant new All Black No 7. McCaw, who went to Otago Boys' High, and was snared by Canterbury. So Otago lured national Colt Harding, who went to Christ's College in Christchurch.

Perth-born Harding's brother, Tom, is a New Zealand under-19 flanker, and their great uncle, Rowe Harding, captained Wales and was a 1924 Lion. Sam Harding is a tough and clever footballer who looks well equipped to carry on the tradition of Kronfeld.