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Toopi selected in Bay of Plenty squad
19 June 2009 03:07pmFormer Kiwis and New Zealand Warriors centre Clinton Toopi has been included in Bay of Plenty's squad for the upcoming Air NZ Cup rugby competition.
Toopi's selection marks a continuation of his transition from league to rugby.
The 29-year-old, who played 21 tests for the Kiwis from 2001-07, has been playing club rugby in Whakatane since returning from a two-season stint with English Super League club Leeds last year.
Toopi's career took a new direction after he required a knee reconstruction -- an injury that ended the Leeds segment of his career.
Toopi said he had offers to return to the National Rugby League once he recuperated but was keen to give rugby a crack.
He is one of 11 new faces named in Greg Smith's 30-man squad.
Chiefs prop Joe Savage will captain the side captain while Tanerau Latimer is on All Blacks duty.
Bay of Plenty start their pre-season schedule against Taranaki in New Plymouth on July 10. They also play Counties-Manukau and Hawke's Bay before their competition opener against Northland in Rotorua on July 31.
