Carter in Canterbury squad
Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:02
Injured All Black flyhalf Dan Carter has been named in Canterbury's squad for their defence of the Air New Zealand Cup, which also includes ten new players.
Carter is recovering from a long-term Achilles injury, which limited his playing time in his brief stint with French Top 14 champions Perpignan. He is expected to make his return in Canterbury colours in August, despite fielding a rumoured big money offer from Auckland.
Carter leads a list of All Blacks in the strong squad which also includes national captain Richie McCaw, as well as Brad Thorn and recently capped Kieran Read, George Whitelock, Isaac Ross, Ben Franks and Wyatt Crockett.
Along with these familiar faces, Canterbury coach Rob Penney has brought some fresh faces into the fold. They are wing Tu Umaga-Marshall, eighthman Ash Parker, halfback Willie Heinz, hooker Will Catherwood, lock Luke Romano, prop Andrew Olorenshaw, prop Rodney Ah You, flank Matt Todd, wing Chris
Small and fullback Sam Monaghan.
Penney has lauded the strength of his 2009 squad, saying:
"We are really pleased with the quality of players we have in the squad,"
"There is a good mix of young guys and more experienced players. We are sure that they will turn their talent into good performances on the training and playing fields.
" [Assistant coach] Tabai [Matson] and I are looking forward to working with them more closely as we start the defence of our Air New Zealand Cup title in earnest."
Canterbury play two pre-season games - against Southland in Invercargill on Friday, July 17, and against Wellington at the Westpac Stadium on Friday, July 24.
Canterbury's first game at AMI Stadium is against Waikato on Friday, August 14.
Canterbury squad: Andrew Olorenshaw (Burnside), Rodney Ah You (Sydenham), Peter Borlase (Burnside), Owen Franks (Linwood), Wyatt Crockett (Burnside), Corey Flynn (Sydenham), Ti'i Paulo (University), Will Catherwood (Burnside) Luke Romano (HSOB), James Broadhurst (Linwood), Sam Whitelock (Lincoln Uni), Isaac Ross (New Brighton), Brad Thorn (Burnside), Matt Todd (Christchurch), Michael Paterson (Christchurch), Kieran Read (University), George Whitelock (HSOB), Richie McCaw (Christchurch), Ash Parker (Burnside), Nasi Manu (Sydenham), Willie Heinz (Linwood), Tyson Keats (New Brighton), Andy Ellis (University), Dan Carter (Southbridge), Colin Slade (HSOB), Stephen Brett (University), Tim Bateman (Christchurch), Ryan Crotty (New Brighton), Adam Whitelock (HSOB), Casey Laulala (Marist Albion), Chris Small (HSOB), Sean Maitland (Linwood), Tu Umaga-Marshall (Sydenham), James Paterson, Sam Monaghan (Christchurch).
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