New Zealand’s playing stocks are being tested, with the naming of the five Super Rugby squads revealing the front row and first-five are worryingly light on proven and experienced players.
Rugbyheaven NZ reports that the Blues and Crusaders have weathered the pre- and post-World Cup exodus best and shape as the strongest of the Kiwi teams, while the Highlanders have further bolstered a squad that ticks most of the boxes.
The Chiefs have a Rolls Royce backline built around late-signing Sonny Bill Williams but, like the Hurricanes, thin out quickly, most notably in the tight five.
There were few surprises when the 153 top professional players were unveiled, though Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph raised a few eyebrows in naming England No 8 James Haskell.
Haskell is one of five foreign players who featured at the Rugby World Cup.
Samoan captain Mahonri Schwalger, lock Kane Thompson and Tongan prop Sona Taumalolo are at the Chiefs, while Samoa’s first-five Tusi Pisi is with the Hurricanes.
With at least 27 players from last year’s squads heading off-shore, there were always going to be some big gaps to fill.
Many fans will not be familiar with some of the names on the teamsheets. There are 28 players across the squads who have not played Super Rugby before and most notable is the emergence of a crop of rookie front rowers.
At the Blues few will know much about 21-year-old prop Angus Ta’avao, the Hurricanes’ Reg Goodes, 19, Chiefs giant Ben Tameifuna, 20, or Crusader Nicholas Barrett, 22.
At first-five, the Chiefs look thin outside Aaron Cruden, with Robbie Robinson the only other obvious specialist in a squad padded out with seven players from Hawke’s Bay and three from Manawatu.
They include unproven quantities such as Fijian wings Maritino Nemani and Asaeli Tikoirotuma as well as sevens star Declan O’Donnell.
It’s the sharp end of a new direct franchise contracting model that has spread provincial talent far and wide and challenged old provincial links to any one side.
The Highlanders, in particular, are a mish-mash of players from every corner of the country, including four from Manawatu, four from Wellington and two from Taranaki.
The Blues have an ominous feel, notwithstanding a backline bolstered by Hurricanes Piri Weepu and Ma’a Nonu. The pack has a mix of experience with seven current or former All Blacks and good depth built around proven performers like flankers Luke Braid and Peter Saili and locks Filo Paulo and Liaki Moli.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder’s side features the naming of four Whitelock brothers after flanker Luke joined lock Sam, openside George and back Adam in the squad.
Last year’s finalists look strong again with 12 All Blacks and the arrival of lock Tom Donnelly from the Highlanders and the return to Super Rugby of former Wellington, Hawke’s Bay and Hurricanes lock Ross Kennedy plugging the hole left by the retirement of Brad Thorn.
The competition starts on February 24 when the Blues play the Crusaders at Eden Park.
How they line up
BLUES
Hookers: Keven Mealamu, Tom McCartney.
Props: Charlie Faumuina, Tevita Mailau, Pauliasi Manu, Angus Ta’avao, Tony Woodcock.
Locks: Anthony Boric, Liaki Moli, Filo Paulo, Ali Williams, Brad Mika.
Loose forwards: Daniel Braid, Luke Braid, Jerome Kaino, Chris Lowrey, Peter Saili.
Halfbacks: Alby Mathewson, Piri Weepu.
First-fives: Lachie Munro, Gareth Anscombe.
Midfield: Ma’a Nonu, Benson Stanley, Michael Hobbs.
Outsides: Isaia Toeava, Sherwin Stowers, Rudi Wulf, Rene Ranger, David Raikuna, George Moala.
CHIEFS
Hookers: Hika Elliot, Mahonri Schwalger.
Props: Ben Afeaki, Toby Smith, Sona Taumalolo, Shane Cleaver, Ben Tameifuna.
Locks: Kane Thompson, Craig Clarke, Romana Graham, Michael Fitzgerald, Brodie Retallick.
Loose forwards: Fritz Lee, Liam Messam, Tanerau Latimer, Scott Waldrom, Sam Cane, Alex Bradley.
Halfbacks: Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Brendon Leonard.
First-fives: Aaron Cruden.
Midfield: Andrew Horrell, Jackson Willison, Sonny Bill Williams, Richard Kahui.
Outsides: Lelia Masaga, Maritino Nemani, Tim Nanai-Williams, Robbie Robinson, Aseli Tikoirotuma, Declan O’Donnell.
CRUSADERS
Hookers: Corey Flynn, Quentin MacDonald, Ben Funnell.
Props: Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Wyatt Crockett, Nicholas Barrett.
Locks: Sam Whitelock, Tom Donnelly, Luke Romano, Joe Wheeler, Ross Kennedy.
Loose forwards: Richie McCaw, Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Kieran Read, Luke Whitelock.
Halfbacks: Andy Ellis, Willi Heinz.
First-fives: Dan Carter, Tom Taylor, Tyler Bleyendaal.
Midfield: Ryan Crotty, Adam Whitelock, Robbie Fruean.
Outsides: Tom Marshall, Patrick Osborne, Zac Guildford, Sean Maitland, Israel Dagg.
HIGHLANDERS
Hookers: Andrew Hore, Jason Rutledge.
Props: Jamie Mackintosh, Chris King, Bronson Murray, Ma’afu Fia.
Locks: Josh Bekhuis, Jarrad Hoeata, Culum Retallick. Loose forwards: Adam Thomson, Nick Crosswell, John Hardie, Doug Tietjens, Nasi Manu, Elliot Dixon, James Haskell.
Halfbacks: Jimmy Cowan, Aaron Smith.
First-fives: Colin Slade, Lima Sopoaga, Chris Noakes.
Midfield: Shaun Treeby, Tamati Ellison, Kendrick Lynn, Siale Piutau.
Outsides: Hosea Gear, Kade Poki, Telusa Veainu, Kurt Baker, Ben Smith.
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THE BLUES LOOK TO BE THE TEAM!
How fitting is it that James Haskell will play for the Highlanders? 😆 😆
McLovin is going to have a field day now that they’ve added another dirty player to their side. 😆 😉
Cruden will be played into the ground.
Wonder if the Blues are going to opt for Piri Weepu at 10?
Where is the Hurricanes team? Where will Stephen Brett play next season?
@Ben (Comment 5) : good Q, where is the Hurricanes team?
@Ben (Comment 5) :
@Franshark (Comment 6) :
😳 it’s not with the original article, I’m trying to find it now.
2012 Hurricanes Squad is as follows:
Beauden Barrett
Tim Bateman
Michael Bent
James Broadhurst
Richard Buckman
Dane Coles
Reggie Goodes
Chris Eaton
Jason Eaton
David Hall
Jayden Hayward
Cory Jane
Daniel Kirkpatrick
Jack Lam
Alapati Leiua
Faifili Levave
Karl Lowe
Motu Matu’u
Ben May
Tristan Moran
Charlie Ngatai
TJ Perenara
Tusi Pisi
Mark Reddish
Julian Savea
Brad Shields
Conrad Smith
Chris Smylie
Andre Taylor
Jeremy Thrush
Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
Victor Vito
@Ben (Comment 5) : He will be playing for Toyota Verblitz in Japan.
where are the SA squads?
@sharktooth (Comment 10) : 🙂 NZ press not released that yet 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 8) : Thanks Oubaas.
@Danman110 (Comment 9) : Cheers
The Blues have got a lekker backline. This is the backline I would pick.
9. Matthewson
10. Weepu
11. Ranger
12. Nonu
13. Toeava
14. Wulf
15. Stowers
Tepmted to pick Anscombe at 10 and move Weepu to 9. Not sure if Stowers plays 15. 😕
heard the Sharks group was named…any one got the names?
@sharktooth (Comment 15) : I don’t find any news like that and the if history is to go by the Sharks squad will be the last to be announced
@sharktooth (Comment 10) : 😆 You being serious? 😆
@sharktooth (Comment 15) : you must have heard wrong. Not mentioned on the Sharksrugby site.
Crusaders is, as usual, the NZ team to beat.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 18) : Cheetahs has name an enlarged group a couple of days ago. Was in the Beeld, dont remember when though.
Chiefs to surprise every one just like in 2009
I always get sad when the old household names pack their bags and head off North. It feels we’re losing something valuable. I look forward to a time when S/Hemisphere players can hang up their boots at the teams where they made a name for themselves. That day will probably never come tho.
Its good to see some old faces back. Tim Bateman, Rudi Wulf, Ross Kennedy (Megatron
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Come on mooloo men show them what you are made of.
New Zealand’s playing stocks are being tested, with the naming of the five Super Rugby squads revealing the front row and first-five are worryingly light on proven and experienced players.
Who said that? – a bit harsh!
I thought the squads looked ok 😎
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 24) : It’s from a Kiwi site 🙂
@KSA Shark © (Comment 25) :
I thought RH was an Aussie site … not sure about the NZ bit! 😆
I put a proper NZ Super thread up with a proper heading! 😎
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 27) : is the Nz people still celebrating 😉
I can’t see any problems with the teams announced. New names but that is to be expected coz kids do grow up 🙂
Think the Chiefs might be the surprise package. Not to convinced that the Blues look the best. And my fav team, the Hurricanes to languish at the bottom of the table (not last though).
Central Contracting…if only that would ever work in SA!! Its the ideal rugby model to produce the best players in the world. Spread the player base to ensure competitive teams and it gives the youngsters a chance to train and play with the experienced players.
@Franshark (Comment 28) :
don’t know Franshark haven’t been sober enough to notice
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 31) :
@JarsonX (Comment 32) : 😉
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 26) : Rugbyheaven NZ is Stuff.co.nz It became stuffabout a year ago.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 34) :
yip …. all to familiar with it! 😳
@JarsonX (Comment 20) :
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