Walder ventures south

Dave Walder: Heading south

London Wasps fly-half Dave Walder is bucking the trend for New Zealanders to move north by heading south to join North Harbour for the Air New Zealand Cup this year.

Harbour have signed three Europeans: Walder, his former Wasps team-mate Martin Purdy from Bath, and Munster full-back Jeremy Mannning, who is returning to his native land.

Walder, capped four times by England in 2001, and Manning provide depth at pivot while Bath recruit Purdy will be expected to fill the void left by former All Black second rower Greg Rawlinson, who joined Guinness Premiership team Worcester last year.