Rugby: Players rush for Super 15 teams

A one-off set of rules to prepare the market for Super 15 has left an unprecedented number of players free to shift franchise - and already activity is frantic.

Alby Mathewson will not return to the Hurricanes as he is staying with the Blues, Adam Thomson is eyeing the Crusaders and the Hurricanes are hopeful Israel Dagg will be theirs next season. Other players are being targeted, with Tom Donnelly, Robbie Robinson and Jamie Mackintosh also tipped to shift.

What's driving this activity is the change to direct contracting next year where franchises will control their budgets and be free to sign who they like, regardless of where they play provincially.

To make sure the new system works, every player currently under contract has to be classified - either as being a 'protected' player to a specific franchise; or as a 'free agent' able to elect where he plays his Super 15 rugby in 2011.

Numbers are fluid but there are thought to be as many as 40, possibly more, players who are 'free agents'.

The bulk of those are players who are contracted to stay in New Zealand until 2011 but have not committed to their current province beyond this year. Those players are now being chased to sign provincial deals and take 'protected' status with a franchise.

Tyson Keats and James Broadhurst did that last week when they left Canterbury for Taranaki and became 'protected' by the Hurricanes.

Theoretically, players shifting province this year are free to play for whatever franchise they want but are obliged to talk to both their 'current' and 'home' franchise first.

It's expected many will stay with either their current franchise or return to their 'home' franchise. But there will be significant numbers of players who move to new pastures altogether.

There are several other 'free agents' whose position is more complicated. Dagg is contracted to Hawke's Bay beyond this year but will have to take 'protected' status shortly. He has to elect which Super Rugby team he wants to play for so is free to talk to them all to see who wants him and which one he feels would be best.

When the new contracting model kicks in next year, players will no longer be able to shift franchise by signing with a different province as they have in the past. Once a player is classified as being 'protected', he'll belong to that franchise until the end of his New Zealand Rugby Union contract.

This has created a one-off opportunity for players whose current provincial contracts expire this year; those who are on loan-back deals and those selected in the Super 14 draft last year. They can shift franchise and make a long-term commitment to stay there.

It has also created urgency among the franchises to 'lock in' as many players as they can.

The Hurricanes and Chiefs are in the most advanced positions in regard to the number of players they have already 'protected'. Hurricanes chief executive Greg Peters is confident that around 20 of the current squad are 'locked' in for next year.

Key to his confidence is the knowledge that every player they want to stay is now classified as 'protected'. There will, inevitably, be departures but he says the region has ready-made replacements.

Gary Dawson at the Chiefs is similarly confident they have firm commitments from the core of their squad. There are question marks over Hika Elliot, Ben Afeaki, Craig Clarke, Jared Hoeata and Sona Taumalolo as they are now 'free agents'.

"We are working through this," says Peters "and are pretty comfortable with where we are at."

It is the Blues and Highlanders who are scrambling to lock in players.

Of the current Blues squad, Stephen Brett, Serge Lilo and Daniel Kirkpatrick were taken on the draft so are free to elect to play elsewhere next season.

Anthony Tuitavake and Viliami Ma'afu are heading overseas, George Pisi has transferred to Taranaki and Joe Rokocoko needs to extend his New Zealand contract, which expires this year.

The Highlanders have Donnelly and Thomson coming off contract with Otago and have seven other players - Dagg, Mat Berquist, Jason Shoemark, Michael Hobbs, Bronson Murray, Nasi Manu and Clint Newland - free to commit elsewhere.

Mackintosh and Jimmy Cowan, while technically 'protected', are believed to have get-out clauses. Both men re-signed with Southland last year and stayed at the Highlanders on the proviso certain conditions were met.

It's believed those specific demands have not been fulfilled, which would allow Mackintosh to honour his commitment with Southland but elect to play for the Hurricanes.

The Crusaders will lose Tim Bateman, Daniel Bowden, Ti'i Paulo overseas while Jared Payne has to be 'locked in'.

How it works

Protected player:

* Has to hold NZRU contract through to 2011
* Has to hold provincial contract through to 2011
* Had to be in the protected 24 of his 'home' franchise.

Example: Richie McCaw is contracted with NZRU until 2011. Contracted with Canterbury until 2011 and was selected this year in Crusaders 'protected' 24. Classification for 2011 - Crusaders.

Free agent:

* Player has NZRU contract through to 2011 but ...
* Provincial contract expires 2010
* Was not in protected 24 of his 'home' franchise

Example: Tyson Keats came off contract with Canterbury last year but remained on contract with the NZRU. Was courted by four unions but chose Taranaki and declared his allegiance to the Hurricanes.

Example: Israel Dagg is on contract with Hawke's Bay but was drafted to the Highlanders. He can elect to play for Highlanders or be enticed elsewhere but will still be available for the Magpies.

Example: Stephen Brett drafted to the Blues this year but will play for Canterbury in ITM Cup. Comes off contract with Canterbury this year and is being chased by Auckland. If he signs, it will be because he wants to take 'protected' status at the Blues.

Big game hunters

Big-name players being hunted:

* Adam Thomson (Crusaders)
* Tom Donnelly (Chiefs/Blues)
* Israel Dagg (Hurricanes/Blues)
* Robbie Robinson (Blues)
* Jamie Mackintosh (Hurricanes/Chiefs)
* Stephen Brett (Blues/Crusaders)
* Aled de Malmanche (Crusaders)