Six Bay players named for Chiefs

Murray Williams

Six Bay of Plenty players have been named for next year's Chiefs Rebel Sport Super 14 squad, including first-time Chief Murray Williams.

The returning Bay players are props Ben Castle and Simms Davison, flanker Tanerau Latimer, halfback Jamie Nutbrown and wing Anthony Tahana. Williams was a member of the Chiefs wider training group this year.

The squad named this morning includes 19 players from the 2006 Chiefs, who finished seventh in the inaugural Super 14.

Players from outside the region include former Blues player Tasesa Lavea and former Hurricane Tane Tu'ipolotu.

Chiefs coach Ian Foster said the squad was an exciting blend of some core Chiefs players combined with a group of young players who had been developed within the franchise and who had proven themselves in the recent Air New Zealand Cup competition.

""We are also delighted with the result of the draft. The loss of David Hill meant we were light on experience in our inside backs. So the presence of Tasesa and Tane ... boosts our depth in this area," he said.

Lock Keith Robinson returns to the Chiefs squad this year after a two-year absence due to injury. He last played for the Chiefs in 2004.

"The impact of a fit Keith Robinson has been obvious to everyone through the recent Waikato Air New Zealand Cup campaign," Robinson said.

Waikato coach Warren Gatland is once again on board as assistant coach, following the retirement of Farrell Temata. Jono Gibbes will captain the Chiefs for the fifth consecutive year.

Byron Kelleher, Mils Muliaina and Sitiveni Sivivatu are involved in the All Blacks' conditioning programme which will see them unavailable for selection in the early rounds.

The 2007 Chiefs squad:

Mils Muliaina, Sosene Anesi, Roy Kinikinilau, Lelia Masaga, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dwayne Sweeney, Anthony Tahana, Richard Kahui, Niva Ta'auso, Tane Tu'ipolotu, Stephen Donald, Tasesa Lavea, Murray Williams, Byron Kelleher, Brendon Leonard, Jamie Nutbrown, Steven Bates, Marty Holah, Sione Lauaki, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Jono Gibbes, Toby Lynn, Kristian Ormsby, Keith Robinson, Ben Castle, Simms Davison, Craig West, Nathan White, Aled de Malmanche, Tom Willis.

- DAILY POST