Hurricanes pick up new All Black Toeava

Isaia Toeava

The Hurricanes have picked up shock All Black selection Isaia Toeava for next year's Super 14 rugby competition.

The national sevens representative, who played just one NPC match for Auckland this year, is among 28 new players named in the five New Zealand franchises today.

Toeava flew with the All Blacks to London last night for the Grand Slam tour.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry believed the 19-year-old, who didn't even make the Auckland NPC playoff squads, was best suited to midfield or fullback and was a capable winger as well.

First five-eighth David Holwell is returning to the Hurricanes.

Former All Blacks flanker Andrew Blowers, who has been playing in Japan after a few years in England, has been picked up by the Highlanders.

Wingers Roy Kinikinilau (Wellington) and Vilimone Delasau (Canterbury) are also switched to the Highlanders.

Midfield back Sam Tuitupou moves to the Chiefs, along with his Auckland and Blues teammate Mils Muliaina.

The Blues have claimed former All Black flanker/lock Troy Flavell, who has been playing in Japan.

Taranaki lock Jason Eaton, a surprise All Black selection like Toeava, is in the Hurricanes squad as expected.

Of the 28 new players, the Blues, Crusaders and Highlanders have six each and the Chiefs and Hurricanes have five each.

The Blues newcomers are Northland hooker Tim Dow, North Harbour lock/loose forward Anthony Boric, Auckland lock Kurtis Haiu, North Harbour winger Vili Waqaseduadua, North Harbour prop Mike Noble and North Harbour fullback George Pisi.

Counties Manukau centre Niva Ta'auso, used as a replacement by the Chiefs this year, Counties Manukau winger Lelia Masaga, Bay of Plenty winger Anthony Tahana, Waikato loose forward Liam Messam and Waikato prop Nathan White are new to the Chiefs squad.

The Hurricanes new recruits are Eaton, Wellington hooker Luke Mahoney, Wellington prop John Schwalger, Wellington five-eighth Tamati Ellison and Toeava.

Props Wyatt Crockett and Ben Franks, halfback Andrew Ellis, lock Craig Clarke, centre/wing Steven Yates, all from Canterbury, and Bay of Plenty openside flanker Tanerau Latimer are in the Crusaders squad.

The Highlanders' new players are first five-eighth Ryan Bambry, hooker Jason Macdonald, halfback Chris Smylie and utility Callum Bruce, all from Otago, and Southland flanker Tim Boys and centre/wing Ben Smith.

The squads include 12 draft players: Kinikinilau, Blowers, Delasau, Tuitupou, Toeava, Brad Mika (Crusaders); Tony Koonwaiyou (Crusaders); Nick White (Highlanders); Paul Williams and Ben Blair (Highlanders); Tanerau Latimer and Ross Filipo (Crusaders).

The only selection issue had been over North Harbour captain Rua Tipoki, who was excused from the draft due to personal circumstances.

"The selection panel instructed the Blues to include Tipoki in their group of 24 protected players and, as a consequence, the Blues decided to make Isaia Toeava available to the draft. He was subsequently drafted to the Hurricanes," New Zealand Rugby Football Union deputy chief executive Steve Tew said.

- NZPA