Eighteen new players have been named into the 2010 Rebel Sport Super 14 wider training groups, announced by the New Zealand Rugby Union today.

A total 35 players have been named into wider training groups for the five New Zealand super rugby franchises. The players named today will act as back-up and provide injury cover for the full squads announced in Auckland last month. The 2010 Rebel Sport Super 14 wider training groups are:

Blues Michael Reid (Prop, North Harbour), Ash Dixon (Hooker, Auckland)*, James King (Lock, North Harbour)*, Onosa'i Auva'a (Loose Forward, Auckland), Taniela Moa (Halfback, Auckland), Michael Harris (Five Eighth, North Harbour)*, Jack McPhee (Fullback, North Harbour)*

Chiefs Toby Smith (Prop, Waikato), Vern Kamo (Hooker, Waikato), Toby Lynn (Lock, Waikato), Jack Lam (Loose Forward, Waikato), Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Halfback, Waikato)*, Trent Renata (Five Eighth, Waikato), Jason Hona (Wing, Bay of Plenty)*

Hurricanes Michael Bent (Prop, Taranaki)*, Ged Robinson (Hooker, Wellington), Api Naikatini (Lock, Wellington), Faifili Levave (Loose Forward, Wellington), Chris Eaton (Halfback, Hawkes Bay), Johnny Leota (Centre, Manawatu), Alapati Leiua (Wing, Wellington)*

Crusaders Hamish Cochrane (Prop, Tasman)*, Quentin MacDonald (Hooker, Tasman)*, Joe Wheeler (Lock, Tasman)*, Matt Todd (Loose Forward, Canterbury)*, Ash Parker (Loose Forward, Canterbury)*, Willie Heinz (Halfback, Canterbury)*, Tu Umaga-Marshall (Wing, Canterbury)*

Highlanders Sam Hibbard (Prop, Otago)*, Sam Anderson-Heather (Hooker, Otago)*, Hoani Matenga (Loose Forward, Otago)*, Scott Cowan (Halfback, Southland), Chris Noakes (Five Eighth, Otago), Brett Mather (Centre, Otago), Ryan Shortland (Wing, Otago)* * Denotes players not previously named in a franchise wider training group