In form Harlequins five eighth Hayden Cripps signs for Tasman [Nelson Mail]
The Tasman Rugby Union has signed former Wellington Lions first five-eighth Hayden Cripps on a two-year deal.
The 21-year-old ex-Petone club player moved to Blenheim earlier this season to take up his new role as Marlborough Rugby Sub-Union junior development officer, his move to Tasman sealed by a phone call from Tasman Makos assistant coach Leon MacDonald following similar interest from North Harbour.
The former Wellington College playmaker made his Wellington debut under then-coach Jamie Joseph in 2010, playing three games, and came on as a substitute in Wellington's season-opening 20-11 win over Tasman at Westpac Stadium.
Cripps has been one of the stars of the Marlborough club scene this season as part of a talented Harlequins backline after his 2011 season was largely wrecked due to a serious groin injury.
Now fully fit, Cripps' mixed bag of skills include an eye for the gap, although it's his distribution and kicking skills that are a hallmark of his game, including left-foot goal-kicking.
Having played for Wellington and the Hurricanes development team, Cripps has his heart set on playing Super rugby, a goal endorsed by Tasman's chief executive Andrew Flexman.
"We are thrilled to have a player of Hayden's calibre locked in for two years," said Flexman.
"He has made a massive impact in [Marlborough] club rugby to date.
"We see him as a potential Super Rugby player in the next few years."
