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The Canterbury Rugby Union have confirmed three new additions to the Crusaders squad tasked with defending the Super 14 title next season.
Northland duo Jared Payne and Bronson Murray, and Wellington No 8 Thomas Waldrom have all been transferred to the province in order to be eligible for the Crusaders though none will actually play for Canterbury in next year's provincial rugby competition.
The trio have been acquired to bolster a Crusaders squad that will miss eight players from the team that beat the New South Wales Waratahs in this year's final.
Jared Payne, who moved to Northland from Waikato this season, covers the departure of former All Black Scott Hamilton while the 22-year-old's arrival also coincides with Paul Williams' return to his native Auckland and the Blues after two years in Christchurch.
Prop Murray bolsters the front row stocks depleted by All Black Greg Somerville's move to English club Gloucester.
Frustrated at a lack of Super 14 starting opportunities due to All Black No 8 Rodney So'oialo's presence in the capital Waldrom, 25, looms as a straight replacement for Japan-bound Mose Tuiali'i. He will be loaned to Hawke's Bay for next year's Air NZ Cup.
Another Wellington stalwart, lock Ross Filipo, has also transferred to Canterbury after spending five Super 14 campaigns as a draft player for the Crusaders.
- NZPA
