Otago will take three rookies into their Air NZ Cup rugby campaign this season.
Coach Steve Martin today unveiled a 26-strong squad containing three newcomers to the national provincial competition and another three preparing to play for Otago for the first time.
The rookies are midfield back Dan Snee, lock/flanker Hoani Matenga and openside flanker Eben Joubert, a South African now playing for the Harbour club in Dunedin.
As well, Highlanders Super 14 players -- first five-eighth Daniel Bowden, loose forward Steven Setephano and winger Lucky Mulipola -- will don the Otago jersey for the first time once the competition starts next week.
The squad, to be captained by Craig Newby, also features the return to this level of prop Ben Nolan, who last played in 2005.
Otago's opening match is against Southland in Invercargill on August 2.
Provincial rugby squads for the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup competition:
Auckland
Forwards: Nick White, Charlie Faumuina, Tevita Mailau, Paea Fa'anunu, Tom McCartney, Paulisa Manu, Jay Williams, Stanley Haukinima, Dean Budd, Kurtis Haiu, Anthony Elisala, Chris Lowery, Peter Saili, Daniel Braid.
Backs: Taniela Moa, Grayson Hart, Lachie Munro, Benson Stanley, Winston Stanley, Ben Atiga, Jarek Goebel, David Smith, Isaia Toeava, Chris Mahoney, Watisoni Lotawa, Mikaele Pesamino (two to be added).
Bay of Plenty
Forwards: Colin Bourke, Tanerau Latimer, Luke Braid, Aidan Kuka, Solomon King, John Moore, Culum Retallick, Joshua Katene-Roberts, Jason McGougan, Matthew Wallis John Pareanga, Marcel Cummings Toone
Backs: Lance MacDonald, Teu Nafe, Jason Hona, Cory Aporo, Zar Lawrence, Pauli Asaeli, Mike Delany, Jamie Nutbrown, Nigel Hunt
Canterbury
Forwards: Mose Tuiali'i, George White, Hayden Hopgood, Nasi Manu, Kieran Read (captain), James Broadhurst, Isaac Ross, Mike Paterson, Peter Borlase, Campbell Johnstone, Owen Franks, Wyatt Crockett, Ti'i Paulo, Steve Fualau
Backs: Paul Williams, Scott Hamilton, Sean Maitland, James Patterson, Adam Whitelock, Ryan Crotty, Phil Burleigh, Tim Bateman, Colin Slade, Hamish Gard, Steve Brett, Steve Alfeld, Tyson Keats
Counties-Manukau
Forwards: August Lee, DJ Forbes, Gary Saifoloi, Haani Halaeua, Viliame Fihaki, Daniel Crichton, Alepini Olesoni, Fa'aselele Piula, Dave Duley, Andrew Van der Heijen, Jamie Chipman, Eugene Beneke, Lisialii Faioso, Robert Katu, Simon Lemalu, Tuaefe Palelei, Jayden Murch, Ilaisa Maasi, Cody Martin, Lance Po Ching
Backs: Tim Nanai-Williams, Sherwin Stowers, Lelia Masaga, Raikuna David, Siale Piutau, Dean Cummins, Niva Ta'auso, Seremaia Tagicakibau, Romi Ropati, Tanner Vili, Tasesa Lavea, Chad Tuoro, Kevin Farrell, Samisoni Fisilau
Hawke's Bay
Forwards: Ash Dixon, Jamie Muir, Hikawera Elliot, Josh Keys, Tom Simpson, Fakaa'naua Taumalolo, Matt Egan, Bryn Evans, Rob Evans, Karl Lowe, Adam Bradey, Hugh Reed, Michael Johnson, George Naoupu, Pama Petia, Peniasi Tokakece.
Backs: Chris Eaton, Danny Lee, Matt Berquist, Dan Waenga, Sam Giddens, Jason Shoemark, Mark Jackman, Zac Guildford, Jason Kupa, Israel Dagg, Aayden Clarke.
Manawatu
Forwards: Josh Bradnock, Mitchell Crosswell, Nick Crosswell, Robbie Foreman, James Goode, Talau Hala, Sean O'Connor, Johnathan Phipps, Grant Polson, Paul Rodgers, Adam Ross, Mike Rowe, David Te Moana, Doug Tietjens, Hayden Triggs.
Backs: Kurt Baker, Francisco Bosch, Frank Bryant, Tomasi Cama, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Good, Aaron James, Matty James, Johnny Leota, Toese Lealamanua, Lote Raikabula, Michael Rowe, Aaron Smith, Graham Smith, Tevita Taufui, Steve Treleaven, Joggie Viljoen.
North Harbour
Forwards: Ben Afeaki, James Afoa, Sam Barker, Sam Biddles, Anthony Boric, Thomas Chamberlain, Robert Colhoun, Chris Eves, Michael Farmer, James Hinchop, James King, Viliami Ma'afu, Michael Mayhew, Richard Mayhew, James Parsons, Martin Purdy, Malakai Ravulo, Michael Reid, Adrian Smith, Chris Smith, Ryan Wilson, Tony Woodcock.
Backs: Haydon Abercrombie, Daniel Devereux, Matt France, Jimmy Gopperth, Luke Hamilton, Michael Harris, Jamie Helleur, Jack McPhee, George Pisi, Ken Pisi, Chris Smylie, Anthony Tuitavake, Nafi Tuitavake, Jonah Tuitoga, Vili Waqaseduadua, Rudi Wulf, Josh York.
Northland
Forwards: Tyler Ashworth, Steve Baker, John Cocker, Justin Collins, Tony Coughlan, Justin Davies, Francesco Deformes, Dan Goodwin, Roy Griffen, Joel McKenty, Bronson Murray, Francis Smith, Blair Urlich, Marty Veale, Ross Wright.
Backs: Derek Carpenter, Mike Davies, Aiden Dewes, Damien Fakufana, David Holwell, Kaino Kaino, Glen Martin, Jared Payne, Rene Ranger, James Rodley, Leo Talui, Fetu'u Vainikolo.
Otago
Forwards: Jason Macdonald, Peter Mirrielees, Jed Vercoe, Keith Cameron, Jeremy Aldworth, Ben Nolan, Ross Kennedy, Seko Qaraniqio, Tom Donnelly, Craig Newby (captain), Hoani Matenga, Eben Joubert, Uili Kolo'ofai, Steven Setephano, Paul Grant.
Backs: Sean Romans, Toby Morland, Daniel Bowden, Chris Noakes, Dan Snee, Aaron Bancroft, Brett Mather, Lucky Mulipola, Karne Hesketh, Ben Smith, Glen Horton.
Southland
Forwards: Dion Bates, Joshua Bekhuis, Tim Boys, Ben Chisholm, David Hall, John Hardie, Matt Holloway, Chris King, Hoani Macdonald, Jamie Mackintosh, Fai Mika, Daniel Ramsay, Jason Rutledge, Iona Sipa, Noa Soqeta, Hua Tamariki, Joe Tuineau, Scott Vessey.
Backs: Jimmy Cowan, Scott Cowan, Philip Dawson, Jason Kawau, Tony Koonwaiyou, Kendrick Lynn, Alesana Mulaina, Willie Rickards, Robert Robinson, Matt Saunders, Dane Shelford, Blair Stewart, Pehi Te Whare, Mark Wells, James Wilson.
Taranaki
Forwards: Tony Penn (captain), Shane Cleaver, Laurence Corlett, James Annabell, Hamish Mitchell, Carl Carmichael, Craig Clarke, Jason Eaton, Leon Power, Taiasina Tuifua, Nemia Soqeta, Scott Waldrom, Alex Tulou, Chris Walker.
Backs: Brett Goodin, Brendon Haami, Willie Ripia, Jack Cameron, Corey Niwa, Isaia Tuifua, Jonathan Spratt, Nathan Hohaia, Paul Perez, Shayne Austin, Ace Malo, Jayden Hayward.
Tasman
Forwards: Alex Ainley, Mark Bright, Shane Christie, Hamish Cochrane, Will Crutchley, Ben Franks, Glen Gregory, Daniel Hyatt, Steve Jackson, Tevita Kolomatangi, Jack Lam, Manu Leiatau, Quentin MacDonald, Ben May, Tritan Moran, Daniel Perrin, Jonathan Poff, Sakaria Taulota, Brad Thorn, Joseph Wheeler, Ali Williams.
Backs: Blair Cook, Robbie Flynn, James Foote, Kahn Fotuali'i, Andrew Goodman, Sione Holani, Joel Iggo, Robbie Malneek, James Marshall, Ammon Matuauto, Kri McNicholl, Miah Nikora, Michael Pehi, Afeleke Pelenise, Kade Poki, Stephen Sasagi, Riki Tukaki, Vailoaloa Lualua.
Waikato
Forwards: Aled de Malamanche, Hikairo Forbes, Josh Hohneck, Nathan White, Craig West, Oli Avei, Vern Kamo, Kent Fife, Romana Graham, Toby Lynn, Kevin O'Neill, Matt Blain, Tom Harding, Faifili Levave, Liam Messam (captain), Jordan Smiler.
Backs: Malcolm Barnes, David Bason, Callum Bruce, Trent Renata, Roimata Hansell-Pune, Dwayne Sweeney, Watene Waenga, Jackson Willison, James Kamana, Tim Mikkelson, Henry Speight, Sosene Anesi.
Wellington
Forwards: Dane Coles, Jacob Ellison, Tim Fairbrother, Ross Filipo, Serge Lilo, Chris Masoe, Api Naikatini, Anthony Perenise, Ged Robinson, John Schwalger, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Rodney So'oialo, Bernie Upton, Victor Vito, Thomas Waldrom.
Backs: Tamati Ellison, Hosea Gear, Michael Hobbs, Cory Jane, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Alby Mathewson, Ma'a Nonu, Tomasi Palu, Conrad Smith, Tane Tu'ipulotu, Piri Weepu, Joe Hill.