Fullback Israel Dagg, centre Jason Shoemark, first five-eighth Matt Berquist and No 8 George Naoupu were among the five players drafted by the Highlanders yesterday.
The fifth was Wellington prop Anthony Perenise.
Berquist and Shoemark will be returning to familiar territory as both are former Otago players.
Other new Highlanders include Southland centre Kenny Lynn, Otago halfback Sean Romans, Otago lock Ross Kennedy, Otago utility back Ben Smith and midfield back Jayden Hayward, who is from Taranaki but is on loan to Otago.
Otago winger Lucky Mulipola makes the squad despite having a poor season, while two Otago players - hooker Jason Macdonald (Crusaders) and halfback Toby Morland (Chiefs) - were taken in the draft by other teams.
Nationally, 30 newcomers have been included in New Zealand's five Super 14 rugby squads named today for next year's competition.
The 28-strong squads were released today following a selection meeting attended by the coaching staff of the franchises in Wellington yesterday.
Other key points from the squad announcements include the fact that 13 players have been drafted to other franchises and nine players are returning to the competition after not being selected this year due to availability, injury or form.
New Zealand Rugby Union general manager professional rugby Neil Sorensen said he was delighted with the co-operation shown by all the franchises.
"It's a tough process but also one of the most exciting days of the rugby year. This year there was a real freshness to it all thanks to the new guys on some of the coaching staffs.
"I'm very confident the best 140 players have been chosen. The Air NZ Cup has discovered a whole bunch of new talent who now have a chance to prove themselves in one of the toughest rugby competitions in the world."
Squads:
New Zealand's Super 14 rugby squads for 2009 named today ((D) denotes draft player, * denotes Super 14 newcomers):-
Highlanders: Jamie Mackintosh (Southland), Clint Newland (Otago), Chris King (Southland), Anthony Perenise (Wellington) (D)*, David Hall (Southland), Jason Rutledge (Southland), Hayden Triggs (Otago), Tom Donnelly (Otago), Josh Bekhuis (Southland)*, Ross Kennedy (Otago), Adam Thomson (Otago), Tim Boys (Southland), Alando Soakai (Otago), Stephen Setephano (Otago), George Naoupu (Hawke's Bay) (D)*, Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Sean Romans (Otago) *, Daniel Bowden (Otago), Matt Berquist (Hawke's Bay) (D), Jason Shoemark (Hawke's Bay) (D), Jayden Hayward (Otago)*, Johnny Leota (Otago), Kendrick Lynn (Southland)*, Brett Mather (Otago), Lucky Mulipola (Otago), Fetu'u Vainikolo (Otago), Ben Smith (Otago)*, Israel Dagg (Hawke's Bay) (D)*.
Blues: Tony Woodcock (North Harbour), John Afoa (Auckland), Charlie Faumuina (Auckland)*, Tevita Mailau (Auckland)*, Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Tom McCartney (Auckland), Ali Williams (Auckland), Anthony Boric (North Harbour), Jay Williams (Auckland)*, Kurtis Haiu (Auckland), Justin Collins (Northland), Josh Blackie (Auckland), Onosai Auva'a (Auckland), Jerome Kaino (Auckland), Chris Lowery (Auckland)*, Taniela Moa (Auckland), Chris Smylie (North Harbour), Tasesa Lavea (Auckland), Jimmy Gopperth (North Harbour), Michael Hobbs (Wellington) (D)*, Benson Stanley (Auckland), Jamie Helleur (Auckland), Anthony Tuitavake (North Harbour), Joe Rokocoko (Auckland), Rudi Wulf (North Harbour), Rene Ranger (Northland)*, Paul Williams (Auckland), Isaia Toeava (Auckland).
Chiefs: Arizona Taumalolo (Waikato)*, Ben May (Waikato), James McGougan (Bay of Plenty)*, Joe Savage (Bay of Plenty)*, Hika Elliot (Hawke's Bay) (D), Aled de Malmanche (Waikato), Kevin O'Neill (Waikato),Toby Lynn (Waikato), Craig Clarke (Taranaki) (D), Mark Burman (Waikato)*, Liam Messam (Waikato), Tanerau Latimer (Bay of Plenty), Serge Lilo (Wellington) (D)*, Sione Lauaki (Waikato), Colin Bourke (Bay of Plenty), Brendon Leonard (Waikato), Toby Morland (D) (Otago), Stephen Donald (Waikato), Michael Delany (Bay of Plenty), Callum Bruce (Waikato), Jackson Willison (Waikato)*, Richard Kahui (Waikato), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato), Lelia Masaga (Counties Manukau), Sosene Anesi (Waikato), James Wilson (Southland) (D), Malili Muliaina (Waikato), Dwayne Sweeney (Waikato).
Hurricanes: John Schwalger (Wellington), Neemia Tialata (Wellington), Jacob Ellison (Wellington), Tim Fairbrother (Wellington), Andrew Hore (Taranaki), Dane Coles (Wellington)*, Jason Eaton (Taranaki), Jeremy Thrush (Wellington), Bryn Evans (Hawke's Bay), Api Naikatini (Wellington)*, Faifili Levave (Wellington), Scott Waldrom (Taranaki), Karl Lowe (Hawke's Bay)*, Victor Vito (Wellington)*, Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Josh Bradnock (Manawatu)*, Alby Mathewson (Wellington), Piri Weepu (Wellington), Willie Ripia (Taranaki), Dan Kirkpatrick (Wellington)*, Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), Conrad Smith (Wellington), Jason Kawau (Southland) (D), Tamati Ellison (Wellington), Hosea Gear (Wellington), David Smith (Wellington), Zac Guildford (Hawke's Bay), Cory Jane (Wellington).
Crusaders: Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury), Ben Franks (Tasman), Owen Franks (Canterbury)*, Bronson Murray (Canterbury), Corey Flynn (Canterbury), Jason Macdonald (Otago) (D), Brad Thorn (Tasman), Ross Filipo (Canterbury), Isaac Ross (Canterbury), Michael Paterson (Canterbury), Kieran Read (Canterbury), Richie McCaw (Canterbury), George Whitelock (Canterbury), Thomas Waldrom (Canterbury), Nasi Manu (Canterbury), Jonathan Poff (Tasman), Andy Ellis (Canterbury), Kahn Fotuali'i (Tasman), Colin Slade (Canterbury)*, Stephen Brett (Canterbury), Tim Bateman (Canterbury), Ryan Crotty (Canterbury)*, Casey Laulala (Canterbury), Adam Whitelock (Canterbury)*, Kade Poki (Tasman), Sean Maitland (Canterbury), Jared Payne (Canterbury)*, Leon Macdonald (Canterbury).
