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Hawke's Bay's fairytale run to the provincial rugby semifinals had another spin-off today, with six of the squad gaining selection in New Zealand Super 14 squads.
Fears the Magpies' giant-killing exploits in the Air NZ Cup would be overlooked were swiftly dispelled with the province rewarded when the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) confirmed the 28-man squads for the five franchises.
Both ends of Hawke's Bay's experience spectrum featured with nomadic halfback and captain Danny Lee making the Blues his fourth Super 14 home.
For New Zealand under-19s wing Zac Guildford, 2008 represents his first taste of professional rugby - with the teenager one of a clutch of promising speedsters offered an opportunity to impress.
Rangy lock Bryn Evans has been picked up by the Blues, while the Hurricanes have included back-up flanker Michael Johnson and hooker Hika Elliott.
Arguably the most surprising Hawke's Bay export on the draft was prop Clint Newland's acquisition by the Highlanders.
Renowned this season solely for poleaxing All Blacks prop Neemia Tialata, he was never sighted after round two as he served a 10-week suspension.
Newland's move south emphasised the challenges new Highlanders coach Glenn Moore has had replacing his all All Blacks front row of Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver and Clarke Dermody.
A mass exodus after last year's Super 14, which continued during and after the provincial season, has seen the Highlanders recruit eight imports, among them Manawatu midfielder Johnny Leota and lock Hayden Triggs.
That figure would have been inflated further had Northland five-eighth Daniel Bowden and Waikato loosie Stephen Setephano not signed with Otago.
Triggs and young Canterbury second rower Isaac Ross have been brought in to bolster an engine room also lacking James Ryan, the nine-test All Black who missed the bulk of this season with a shoulder injury.
While Ryan, a television commentator at the World Cup, remains on the outer, the 14th edition of the tournament represents a homecoming of sorts for this year's walking wounded, namely Chiefs centre Richard Kahui and Hurricanes lock Jason Eaton.
Kahui, sidelined by a shoulder reconstruction, will be among a host of contenders vying for All Blacks midfield honours while Eaton can press his claims for an All Blacks recall, a cause enhanced by yesterday's retirement of Keith Robinson and Chris Jack's pension plan in England.
Robinson's injury enforced retirement and the offshore moves of loose forward stalwarts Marty Holah and Steven Bates has prompted Chiefs head coach Ian Foster to make liberal use of the draft.
The Chiefs have brought in six outsiders, notably Wellington's Tom Harding and Hayden Hopgood (Canterbury) to shore up a loose forward unit that looks vulnerable should Liam Messam, Sione Lauaki or Tanerau Latimer succumb to injury.
Hurricanes head coach Colin Cooper has the luxury of fielding All Blacks in Rodney So'oialo, Jerry Collins and Chris Masoe in his optimum looseforward trio.
Johnson forms a back-up unit comprising the Waldrom brothers Thomas and Scott, while Elliott will start as understudy to Andrew Hore.
The Hurricanes and six-time champion Crusaders have not had to rely on the draft despite losing a combined 29 players from last year's squads - underlining the depth both franchise bases have successfully constructed.
The Crusaders' cause has been aided by the canny recruitment of Tasman aligned All Blacks lock Ali Williams while the return of Brad Thorn after his rugby league retirement could prove an inspired choice if the new Stellenbosch rules are road tested at elite level for the first time.
A switch of emphasis from scrummaging to ball running forwards could yet suit Thorn, 32, down to the ground as he winds down his career with a third Super rugby campaign.
The Williams void - and the departure of Greg Rawlinson - in Auckland has been partially filled by newcomers Kurtis Haiu and Evans, though Troy Flavell is a sturdy fixture in the second row.
The Blues have also had to cater for a player drain to overseas - notably the loss of midfielders Sam Tuitupou and Luke McAlister - but the arrival of All Black utility Nick Evans allows head coach David Nucifora to offset those losses.
- NZPA
