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Joseph names five new Lions

Jamie Joseph has named five new players in his Wellington squad for the 2010 ITM Cup season as speculation about his future with the province continues.

Wednesday, 21 July 2010

Sportal.co.nz

Jamie Joseph has named five new players in his Wellington squad for the 2010 ITM Cup season as speculation about his future with the province continues.

Joseph has been offered the Highlanders coaching job for next year's Super 15 competition leaving his future with the Lions in doubt.

"Any coach that coaches at this level wants to coach at Super rugby level," the former All Black forward said.

"There are only five jobs. To be given that opportunity is exciting but the big decision is the fact it's not in Wellington and I've got to move people. That's why I'm taking my time."

How much time he will have with new Wellington recruits props Adrian Barone and David Te Moana and backs Hayden Cripps, Lima Sopoaga, IRB junior player of the year Julian Savea plus the recalled Apoua Stewart, and the players who he took to two finals and Ranfurly Shield success in the past two years remains to be seen.

Wellington has one final pre-season hit-out against Canterbury on Friday before its season-opener against Tasman on August 1.

Cripps and Sopoaga are both first five-eighths and will be handy back-ups to Fa'atonu Fili with Michael Hobbs struggling with a back injury.

"Certainly Hayden Cripps is a first five-eighths only. Lima has played at 12 before. But we see them as first-fives. Those are the positions they want to put their efforts and time into it.

"They are both good, they are both different but both haven't had any experience so they need an opportunity."

Joseph admitted Hobbs' prognosis was 'not looking good'.

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