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In demand New Zealand Super 12 sides tussle for Ralph
Posted: Saturday December 04, 1999 11:04 AM
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Reuters) -- Former All Black Caleb Ralph is at the center of a tug of war between two New Zealand Super 12 rugby sides -- Auckland and Canterbury. The utility outside back played this year for 1999 champions Canterbury in the Super 12 and later for Auckland in the domestic national provincial championship (NPC). Both organizations now want him to play for them in both competitions next year, the New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU) said in a statement. Canterbury has formally applied to the NZRFU to transfer Ralph for both competitions but Auckland has the advantage of holding an NPC contract with him for a further two seasons. Canterbury has held a spot open in its line up pending discussions to resolve the issue while Auckland would like him to replace Carlos Spencer, who is injured but currently listed in the Blues' squad. "[Ralph] is currently in discussions with Auckland and Canterbury about where he will play next year. A decision is expected next week," the NZRFU said in a statement. Missing from the five New Zealand squads for the 2000 Super 12, released by the NZRFU, was former All Black and Otago number 8 Isitolo Maka -- a victim of failing form after a strong test debut in 1998. Otago coach Tony Gilbert was blunt in his reasons for not retaining Maka for next season: "You've got no friends when it comes to selection." Also gone from the Super 12 are fellow former All Blacks Mark Carter and Ofisa Tonu'u, although this may change as the squads are not required to be finalized until seven days before the start of competition on February 25. Three players with international connections were named in the squads. South African-born scrum half Joggi Viljeon is to join Wellington and Australian-born Simon Kerr for Waikato. Both were eligible for All Black selection, the NZRFU noted. Prop David Morgan is returning from club play in France to play for the Auckland Blues, subject to an international clearance from French authorities. The NZRFU named the following Super 12 squads
Auckland BluesOrene Ai'i, Andrew Blowers, Robin Brooke, Adrian Cashmore, Jason Chandler, Eroni Clarke, Justin Collins, Steve Devine, Craig Dowd, Troy Flavell, Davin Heaps, Doug Howlett, Craig Innes, Walter Little, Finau Maka, Keven Mealamu, David Morgan, Dylan Mika, Charles Riechlemann, Mark Robinson, Xavier Rush, Carlos Spencer, Paul Thomson, Iliesa Tanivula, Joeli Vidiri, Nick White.
Waikato ChiefsDavid Briggs, Michael Collins, Loki Crichton, Chresten Davis, Rhys Duggan, Glen Jackson, James Kerr, Simon Kerr, Danny Lee, George Leaupepe, Keith Lowen, Hare Makiri, Glen Marsh, Paul Martin, Scott McLeod, Todd Miller, Paul Mitchell, Deon Muir, Mark Ranby, Roger Randle, Bruce Reihana, Greg Smith, Glenn Taylor, Koulo Tukino, Royce Willis.
Wellington HurricanesInoke Afeaki, Shane Carter, Christian Cullen, Mike Edwards, Campbell Feather, Gordon Falcon, Brad Fleming, Norm Hewitt, David Holwell, Daryl Lilley, Jonah Lomu, Alama Ieremia, Jason O'Halloran, Matua Parkinson, Gordon Slater, Jason Spice, Paul Steinmetz, Filo Tiatia, Paul Tito, Tama Tuirirangi, Tana Umaga, Kupu Vanisi, Tanner Vili, Joggi Viljoen, Dion Waller, Kevin Yates.
Canterbury CrusadersCon Barrell, Todd Blackadder, Norm Berryman, Ron Cribb, Greg Feek, Daryl Gibson, Mark Hammett, David Hewett, Aaron Flynn or Ben Hurst, Chris Jack, Steve Lancaster, Leon MacDonald, Justin Marshall, Norm Maxwell, Aaron Mauger, Mark Mayerhofler, Andrews Mehrtens, Scott Robertson, Mark Robinson, Matt Sexton, Dallas Seymour, Greg Somerville, Afato So'oalo, Reuben Thorne, Marika Vunibaka.
Otago HighlandersPita Alatini, Duncan Blaikie, John Blaikie, Tony Brown, Marc Ellis, Rico Gear, Carl Hayman, Carl Hoeft, Byron Kelleher, Josh Kronfeld, Brendan Laney, Simon Maling, Brett McCormack, Joe McDonnell, Kees Meeuws, Kelvin Middleton, Paul Miller, Anton Oliver, Dan Parkinson, Taine Randell, Romi Ropati, Jeremy Stanley, Brendon Timmins, Rua Tipoki, Tom Willis, Jeff Wilson.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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