The 2010 intake of the Meridian Energy Canterbury Rugby Academy has been announced, a feature of the group being the inclusion of Luke Whitelock, the brother of current Crusaders and Canterbury players George, Adam and Sam.

Luke Whitelock, a loose forward, will arrive in Christchurch this week after a gap year in the United Kingdom. He will be studying at the University of Canterbury.

2010 Meridian Canterbury Rugby Academy:

Codie Taylor (hooker, NZ Schools in 2009 and NZ Under-17)
Dominic Bird (lock, NZ U-17)
Michael Stewart (loose forward, NZ Schools and NZ Under-17)
Paul Howe (halfback, NZ rep touch player)
Tyler Bleyendaal (first-five, from CBHS production line, 2010 NZ U20
 trialist)
Rhys Llewellyn (midfield/wing, St Bedes, from Ospreys Academy)
Patrick Osborne (wing, Fiji Sevens squad)
Jonny McNicoll (fullback/wing, from Cashmere HS)
Luke Whitelock (loose forward NZ U17s, NZ Schools, 2010 NZ U20
trialist )
Sam Franklin (midfielder, from CBHS, former Warriors Toyota Cup squad member)
Nick McLennan (fullback, Canterbury Colt of year 2009)
Kurt Davies (halfback, former Hamilton Boys’ High student)

The players will spend three years in the academy to help prepare them for professional contracts.

They are given their own development programmes and position specific coaching from the Crusaders and Canterbury coaches.

As part of their development they will also focus on: technical skills, tactics, mental skills, physical development/nutrition, career/education and personal development.

The 2007 Meridian Canterbury Rugby Academy intake which graduated in 2009 was:

Colin Slade
James Paterson
Owen Franks
Johnny Legg
Willi Heinz
Ryan Crotty
Julian Poff
Sam Whitelock
Sean Maitland