And there were exemptions given. The Crusaders were allowed to select two locks from their catchment area so both players could complete their studies. The Highlanders (first five), Hurricanes (hooker) and Chiefs (lock) opted not to select certain positions at all. The Blues were allowed to sign two No 10s from within their catchment area. <\/p>\n
While the teams, front office staff and media assembled on the call, Hayden O\u2019Donnell, contracting and relationships manager at New Zealand Rugby (NZR), explained the rules and the process of the draft ahead of selections being made, noting the hope that the event could build into much more of a spectacle as the years go on. <\/p>\n
The potential is certainly there, though some tweaks would need to be made to appeal to an audience beyond those involved with the competition. <\/p>\n
Unlike the player drafts most of us are familiar with from American sports, the Super Rugby clubs do not go one at a time to make their picks. Every round, the teams selecting send their choice to NZR, which then confirms the pick. If two or more clubs select the same player in the same round, the home region club gets priority. If neither is the athlete\u2019s home club, the player gets the choice and the other clubs make a new selection. <\/p>\n
The Highlanders, who signed only three players from their catchment area before Tuesday\u2019s draft, got to kick things off, choosing Otago outside back Jae Broomfield. <\/p>\n
Except they had already signed an outside back in Sam Nemec-Vial, and instead were required to sign either a loose forward, lock, hooker, tighthead prop or loosehead prop. <\/p>\n
Broomfield was eventually picked up by the Crusaders a few rounds later. <\/p>\n
In total, 57 players were added to wider training groups, with the Blues, Chiefs and Crusaders taking the allotted 12, the Hurricanes 11 and the Highlanders 10. <\/p>\n
The idea of a draft has often been thrown around among fans and pundits as a way of strengthening the competition, allowing players to suit up for teams on either side of the Tasman in a bid for parity across squads. <\/p>\n
There are obvious roadblocks preventing that. NZR\u2019s self-imposed rule that athletes have to play in New Zealand to be selected for the All Blacks is the main one. <\/p>\n
While this version won\u2019t drastically change the competition, the wider training group draft has potential as a television or livestream product, given a few tweaks to the format to heighten the drama. <\/p>\n
Just spitballing here, but a couple of ideas to heighten the viewing experience, should they look to try and let the fans in, would be moving to one pick at a time, bringing in an energetic, charismatic host to front it, and having a panel of experts breaking down the picks as they come in. Granted, said experts would have to pay close attention to the NPC season. <\/p>\n
Yes, this is the American model. The American model works. <\/p>\n
There hasn\u2019t been any indication as to whether that is in NZR\u2019s thinking, but given O\u2019Donnell\u2019s opening remarks and Super Rugby Pacific chief executive Jack Mesley sitting in on the call, it\u2019s certainly something worth exploring, both here and in Australia. <\/p>\n
This is not the sort of draft that Super Rugby Pacific fans have been suggesting, but perhaps it\u2019s the bones of a new way to engage fans across the country well before the start of the season. <\/p>\n
Wider Training Group Squads<\/p>\n
Blues (12 players)<\/p>\n
Esilie Fono, loosehead prop, Northland<\/p>\n
Leka Tu\u2019ungafasi, tighthead prop, North Harbour<\/p>\n
Riley Tofilau, tighthead prop, North Harbour<\/p>\n
Jordan Hutchings, hooker, Northland<\/p>\n
Tevita Tatafu, lock, Auckland<\/p>\n
Sam Tuitupou, loose forward, North Harbour<\/p>\n
Caleb Woodley, loose forward, Auckland<\/p>\n
Tyson Belworthy, halfback, Canterbury<\/p>\n
Cohen Norrie, first five-eighths, Auckland<\/p>\n
Cam Howell, first five-eighths, North Harbour<\/p>\n
Tom Barham, midfield, North Harbour<\/p>\n
Harlyn Saunoa, outside backs, Auckland<\/p>\n
Chiefs (12)<\/p>\n
William Martin, loosehead prop, Waikato<\/p>\n
Keightley Watson, tighthead prop, Taranaki<\/p>\n
Samu Tawake, tighthead prop, Wellington<\/p>\n
Kurene Luamanuvae, tighthead prop, Counties Manukau<\/p>\n
JJ Pokai, hooker, Taranaki<\/p>\n
Mosese Bason, loose forward, Manawat\u016b<\/p>\n
Rui Farrant, halfback, Waikato<\/p>\n
Andrew Knewstubb, first five-eighths, Canterbury<\/p>\n
Haki Wiseman, midfield, Taranaki<\/p>\n
Michael Naitokani, midfield, Waikato<\/p>\n
Nathan Stephens, outside backs, Waikato<\/p>\n
Dallas Rata-Makene, outside backs, Waikato<\/p>\n
Hurricanes (11)<\/p>\n
Malakai Hala-Ngatai, loosehead prop, Manawat\u016b<\/p>\n
Logan Wallace, tighthead prop, Manawat\u016b<\/p>\n
Matolu Petaia, lock, Wellington<\/p>\n
Johnny Falloon, lock, Wellington<\/p>\n
Patrick Mauga, loose forward, Hawke\u2019s Bay<\/p>\n
Jai Tamati, halfback, Manawat\u016b<\/p>\n
Will Cole, first five-eighths, Hawke\u2019s Bay<\/p>\n
Gary Basson, midfield, Auckland<\/p>\n
Lukas Ripley, outside backs, Hawke\u2019s Bay<\/p>\n
Taniela Filimone, outside backs, Manawat\u016b<\/p>\n
Waisake Salabiau, outside backs, Waikato<\/p>\n
Crusaders (12)<\/p>\n
Monu Moli, loosehead prop, Tasman<\/p>\n
Gus Brown, tighthead prop, Canterbury<\/p>\n
Vea Taumoefolau, tighthead prop, Tasman<\/p>\n
Jayden Henderson, hooker, Southland<\/p>\n
Max Fale, lock, Canterbury<\/p>\n
Jake Frost, lock, Tasman<\/p>\n
Konrad Toleafoa, loose forward, Southland<\/p>\n
Joel Lam, halfback, Otago<\/p>\n
Aaron Gibbs, first five-eighths, Bay of Plenty<\/p>\n
Cooper Grant, midfield, Tasman<\/p>\n
Jae Broomfield, outside backs, Otago<\/p>\n
Logan Williams, outside backs, Canterbury<\/p>\n
Highlanders (10)<\/p>\n
Benjamin Lopas, loosehead prop, Otago<\/p>\n
Solomone Tukuafu, tighthead prop, Bay of Plenty<\/p>\n
Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia, hooker, Waikato<\/p>\n
Reuben Allen, lock, Manawat\u016b<\/p>\n
Senita Lauaki, loose forward, Waikato<\/p>\n
Phoenix Abbott, loose forward, Canterbury<\/p>\n
Kieran McClea, halfback, Otago<\/p>\n
Austin Anderson, midfield, Waikato<\/p>\n
Sam Nemec-Vial, outside backs, Otago<\/p>\n
Nicholas Sauira, outside backs, Tasman<\/p>\n