The reward for a good season for Otago came for Liam Coltman and Hayden Parker yesterday.
The duo are part of 10 new faces named in the Highlanders for the 2013 season.
Parker (21) has had a stand-out year for Otago at first five-eighth and will join Colin Slade and Lima Sopoaga in fighting for the No 10 jersey.
Coltman (22) has been picked as a hooker and will be in competition with Brayden Mitchell to back up captain Andrew Hore. They are joined in the side by Otago team-mates halfback Fumiaki Tanaka and outside backs Ben Smith, Tamati Ellison and Buxton Popoalii.
Coltman made the New Zealand Colts squad a couple of years ago and has been steadily progressing up the ranks.
He said it was a great thrill to make the side.
"I'm stoked, really. It has been a difficult year for me this year and to come back at the end of the year and get picked is great," he said.
Coltman, who hails from Taranaki, pinched a nerve in his neck in March and at one stage it looked as though his season was over. But a few months' rest eventually led to him getting the all clear from his doctor.
He was a top player for Otago this season, playing at both hooker and prop, though he preferred to play as a rake. He hoped next season to learn as much as possible and get some game time.
Parker has been a Highlanders fan for as long as he can remember. He hails from a farm in Kurow and was heading back to North Otago for a couple of weeks before he joins up with the Highlanders early next month.
It has always been a goal to play for the Highlanders and he said this season with Otago had helped him in that aim.
"I have just got a bit more game time this year. The first year I was with Otago I learnt a lot from Brownie [coach Tony Brown] and I've been able to use that this year," Parker said.
"I just want to learn as much as I can learn off the All Blacks and contribute as much as I can."
Parker, who boarded at Otago Boys' High School, could be a vital part of the Highlanders next year with both Slade and Sopoaga coming off two injury-plagued years.
Other new players in New Zealand franchises include. -Johnny McNicholl (Crusaders): looked the goods this year for Canterbury as the winger has quickness of feet and thought.
Matt Proctor (Hurricanes): Wellington winger who scored three tries against Otago. Plenty of pace and nose for a gap.
Bundee Aki (Chiefs): a top year for Counties-Manukau has seen the midfield back rewarded with a contract with title-winning Hamilton outfit. Big shoes to fill, though.
Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Blues): the young Auckland prop is hard to miss with his huge mop of hair.
Has plenty of promise and will not back down.
