Harbour secure top trio

Walder, Purdy and Manning set for the Air New Zealand Cup

Last updated: 2nd April 2008

Rugby Union Guinness Premiership London Wasps Bristol Rugby Dave Walder

Walder: Heading to North Harbour

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Dave Walder, Martin Purdy and Jeremy Manning have agreed deals to play for North Harbour in the Air New Zealand Cup this year.

London Wasps back Walder, who has won four caps for England, has had a fine season in the Premiership and will head to New Zealand alongside his former Adams Park team-mate Purdy.

Bath lock Purdy only joined the club in the summer, however he has been targeted to fill the void left by former All Black second rower Greg Rawlinson.

New Zealand-born Manning returns to his homeland after three years playing at full-back for Munster.

And North Harbour coach Wayne Pivac is delighted to have secured the experienced trio.

Experience

He told the club's official website: "It's great we have secured the services of Dave, Jeremy and Martin.

"Dave will bring a wealth of experience and maturity to a position where we lacked depth in 2007.

"An intelligent thinking player who is an international-class goalkicker will be a big boost to the 2008 playing roster.

"As will Jeremy who has experience at first, second (five-eighths) and full-back. Jeremy is an accomplished goal kicker.

"Likewise Martin is a gifted hard working player who has a great work ethic and he will bring with him a professional approach to training and playing. Martin will help fill the void at lock left by Greg Rawlinson."