Rugby: Joseph recruits another four players

Jamie Joseph
Jamie Joseph
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph continues to assemble his squad and has brought some exciting young talent into the team, though there is an injury cloud over one of his new signings.

Joseph said yesterday Southland No 8 Elliot Dixon, Canterbury winger Telusa Veainu, Wellington first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga and Taranaki fullback Kurt Baker have all signed for the franchise.

Joseph said the four were all exciting young talents, who had played for various national representative sides.

But there is doubt over the immediate playing future of Baker.

He has pulled out of today's game between Taranaki and North Harbour with a back problem.

It was reported yesterday by The Daily News Baker not only has a stress fracture of the back but also a new fracture through a joint of the lumbar spine.

He is to see a specialist next week, which should decide his immediate playing future.

Baker would be an exciting addition to the Highlanders, as he appears a player of immense promise, and was one of the stars of the New Zealand sevens side which won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

A place in a Super 15 team looked the next logical step for Baker but injury now throws doubt on that.

Any issue with a back injury is bound to be a major one and Baker will have to get a complete medical clearance from the New Zealand Rugby Union before he is able to play for the Highlanders.

Joseph has to name a maximum of 28 players for the NZRU on Monday but said yesterday he would probably name 27.

Those 27 would be in the Highlanders squad for next season and could be protected by the franchise and not be picked up by other franchises in the draft.

The remaining five players Joseph needs for his 32-man squad would be picked up in the draft, which would take place a few days before the teams are named on November 10.

Joseph said he wanted to get players of experience and talent but if they did not have the experience, then they needed to have talent which could be developed.

Dixon (21) played for the New Zealand Colts last year and started off in the Southland line-up this year before crying off with a hamstring injury.

Veainu (19) has been going from strength to strength on the Canterbury wing, and scored three tries for the New Zealand Colts in the final of the world junior championships in Argentina in June.

Sopoaga (19) is in his first year out of school, and made the New Zealand Schools side last year while attending Wellington College.

Joseph said Sopoaga was a player with much talent and promise, and he would learn the first five-eighth role from behind the likes of Colin Slade and Robbie Robinson.

The future of Baker (22) was up in the air and much would depend on his diagnosis.

The Highlanders have already announced the signings of Manawatu duo halfback Aaron Smith and loose forward Nick Crosswell, Wellington midfielder Shaun Treeby, Taranaki loose forward Jarrad Hoeata and Slade.

 

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