Siua Halanukonuka heading south to the champion Highlanders
Tasman prop Siua Halanukonuka's impressive credentials have finally been recognised at Super Rugby level following his selection in the champion Highlanders' squad for next year's campaign.
The powerful 1.86m-tall and 115kg Makos tighthead prop is among the 16 Tasman players signed by New Zealand's franchises for next year's Super competition, with the Hurricanes the only team without Tasman representation. Halanukonuka won't lack for company as one of seven Tasman players signed by the Highlanders, including No 8 Liam Squire who has been snapped up from the Chiefs.
Halanukonuka and Squire will join Makos team-mates Alex Ainley, Joe Wheeler, Ross Geldenhuys, Shane Christie and Marty Banks in New Zealand's southern-most franchise as they prepare to defend the title they won this year with a 21-14 win over the Hurricanes in the final at Wellington's Westpac Stadium.
While no-one will begrudge Halanukonuka his selection, it appears to have come at the expense of former Highlanders prop and Tasman team-mate Kane Hames who hasn't been picked up by any of the New Zealand franchises. Another Tasman player, fullback Trent Renata, also hasn't been resigned by the Highlanders.
Still, Halanukonuka's selection is well-earned after his third straight season in the Tasman jersey, again highlighted by his scrummaging power and strong ball-carrying. He is a former Counties-Manukau representative and also has one international cap to his credit, having played for Tonga as a substitute in last year's 23-9 win over Georgia.
There's another strong Tasman presence in the Crusaders squad, with backs Kieron Fonotia and David Havili returning and prop Tim Perry expected to be available in April once he's fully recovered from the knee injury that he suffered late in Tasman's national provincial championship campaign this year.
Flanker Pete Samu has been promoted from the Crusaders' wider training group and former Nelson College First XV captain Mitchell Hunt has also been signed after having transferred to Tasman from Auckland for next year's NPC. Hunt was a member of this year's New Zealand team that won the Under-20 Rugby World Cup in Italy.
Tasman's involvement at the Chiefs has dwindled from six to just two, with only winger James Lowe and loose forward Tevita Koloamatangi returning next year. Lowe wasn't involved in this year's NPC competition due to off-season shoulder surgery, while Koloamatangi was only used sparingly by Tasman this year following a lengthy rehabilitation from an ankle injury suffered while playing for the Chiefs earlier this year.
Winger Bryce Heem and utility back Tom Marshall have both headed overseas and like Squire, hooker Quentin MacDonald has switched camps, heading back to the Blues franchise that he last represented in 2013.
MacDonald has now enjoyed Super stints with the Crusaders, Chiefs and Blues and will be joined at head coach Tana Umaga's new Blues regime by halfback Billy Guyton who will also be playing at this third franchise. Guyton was part of this year's Crusaders squad, having also played for the Hurricanes. Guyton replaces Tasman team-mate Jimmy Cowan at the Blues, with the now 33-year-old Cowan not being picked up by any of the franchises.
HIGHLANDERS: Alex Ainley, Shane Christie, Joe Wheeler, Ross Geldenhuys, Siua Halanukonuka, Liam Squire, Marty Banks
CRUSADERS: Mitchell Hunt, Kieron Fonotia, David Havili, Pete Samu, Tim Perry (available in April)
CHIEFS: Tevita Koloamatangi, James Lowe
BLUES: Quentin MacDonald, Billy Guyton
