The five Super Rugby squads which were named by the New Zealand franchises yesterday.
Blues Squad
Backs: Frank Halai, Waisake Naholo, Charles Piutau, Rene Ranger, Marty McKenzie, Malakai Fekitoa, George Moala, Francis Saili, Jackson Willison, Baden Kerr, Chris Noakes, Bryn Hall, Piri Weepu, Jamison Gibson-Park.
Forwards: Flankers: Kane Barrett, Luke Braid, Steven Luatua, Brendon O’Connor, Ronald Raaymakers, Peter Saili. Locks: Anthony Boric, Liaki Moli, Culum Retallick, Ali Williams. Props: Charlie Faumuina, Tom McCartney, Tim Perry, Angus Ta’avao, Ofa Tu’ungafasi. Hookers: Keven Mealamu, Quentin MacDonald, James Parsons.
Chiefs Squad
Backs: Tim Nanai-Williams, Andrew Horrell, Robbie Robinson, Lelia Masaga, Patrick Osborne, Asaeli Tikoirotuma , Bundee Aki, Richard Kahui, Charlie Ngatai, Gareth Anscombe, Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Brendon Leonard, August Pulu.
Forwards: Fritz Lee, Sam Cane, Nick Crosswell, Ross Filipo, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Craig Clarke, Mike Fitzgerald, Romana Graham, Brodie Retallick, Ben Afeaki, Josh Hohneck, Toby Smith, Solomona Sakalia, Ben Tameifuna, Hika Elliot, Rhys Marshall, Mahonri Schwalger.
Hurricanes Squad
Backs: Beauden Barrett, Tim Bateman, Samisoni Fisilau, Cory Jane, Rey Lee-Lo, Alapati Leuia, James Marshall, TJ Perenara, Tusi Pisi, Matt Proctor, Julian Savea, Conrad Smith, Chris Smylie, Andre Taylor.
Forwards: James Broadhurst, Dane Coles, Jason Eaton, Ben Franks, Reggie Goodes, Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, Karl Lowe, Motu Matu’u, Ben May, Mark Reddish, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Eric Sione, Blade Thomson, Jeremy Thrush, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Victor Vito.
Crusaders Squad
Backs: Tyler Bleyendaal, Dan Carter, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis, Robbie Fruean, Zac Guildford, Willi Heinz, Tom Marshall, Johnny Mcnicholl, Jeremy Su’a, Tom Taylor, Adam Whitelock.
Forwards: Dominic Bird, Shane Christie, Wyatt Crockett, Tom Donnelly, Corey Flynn, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Nepo Laulala, Richie McCaw, Joe Moody, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Jordan Taufua, Codie Taylor, Matt Todd, Jimmy Tupou, George Whitelock, Luke Whitelock, Sam Whitelock.
Highlanders Squad
Forwards: Josh Bekhuis, Tim Boys, Liam Coltman, Elliot Dixon, Ma’afu Fia , John Hardie, Jarrad Hoeata , Andrew Hore, Chris King, Jamie Mackintosh, Nasi Manu, Brayden Mitchell, Jake Paringatai, Brad Thorn, Joe Wheeler, Tony Woodcock
Backs: Phil Burleigh, Tamati Ellison, Jason Emery, Hosea Gear, Ma’a Nonu, Declan O’Donnell, Kade Poki, Hayden Parker, Buxton Popoalii, Colin Slade, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Fumiaki Tanaka, Shaun Treeby.
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No Adam Thompson..
Does that indicate he will be going to Japan at the end of the year?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 1) : I’m not 100% sure where he will be …. but off-shore somewhere! 😥
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 2) :
That’s a loss to the Highlanders, surely?!
But I suppose he is getting on a bit, so he might as well go earn some pounds/yen
Anybody got a list of the player movements inand out? Always enjoy reading that.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 2) : Any exciting guys we should pay close attention to next year?
@ChrisS (Comment 4) :
Here is a young player to watch from each sides next season, they are all a little bit special in there own way:
Blues: Charles Piutau (Fullback)
Chiefs: Charlie Ngatai (Centre/Fullback)
Hurricanes: Ardie Savea (Openside Flanker)
Crusaders: Luke Whitelock (Loose Forward)
Highlanders: Declan O’Donnell (Wing)
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 5) :
Declan O’Donnell has to be the most overrated player in New Zealand. Worst player on that very impressive Highlanders roster.
Crusaders I really like Johnny McNicholl (could get a lot of game-time now also), and Dominic Bird is a giant!
@hendrikp (Comment 6) : Big call …. I’m hoping he will see some game-time! …. I’m pleased to see him on the payroll! 😆
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 7) :
He’s got quick feet, I’ll give him that, but he’s just blerry terrible in any situation where he isn’t 1-on-1 with someone when he’s got the ball.
I can’t see him starting ahead of Poki or Gear… or even Popoali’i for that matter.
Jamie Joseph is smarter then that.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 7) :
In fact, I’d say him making the side has probably more to do with the Highlanders needing to pick up some very cheap players to fill out a few roster spots.
@hendrikp (Comment 9) :
True, there wasn’t much money in the bank. Gear is vice-captain and I think the other wing spot is wide open.
Here’s my team to win the Final hahaha
1. T. Woodcock
2. A. Hore
3. C. King
4. J. Hoeata
5. B. Thorn
6. A. Thomson (surprise inclusion)
7. J. Hardie
8. N. Manu
9. A. Smith
10. C. Slade
11. H. Gear
12. M. Nonu
13. T. Ellison
14. D. O’Donnell
15. B. Smith
Take notes !!!! FL here we come !!!!
The Highlanders are rubbish! Pass it on….
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 5) : Thanks man! I’ll keep an eye out for them!
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 10) : Strong team!!!
Blues looks to be weakest NZ team again.
@Zibbie (Comment 11) :
Zibbie: I am very confused with my tactics this year – I got it totally wrong last year with too many eggs all in one basket. However the year before I won it with that tactic – so I think I will spread it around a bit ….. as long as i beat Punter, Jarson and Zeke life will be good ….. happy planning I know I am!
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 10) :
Kade Poki should easily be the other starting winger.
Don’t think you can play Brad Thorn & Jarrad Hoeata next to each other either. No recognized 4-jumper.
1 Tony Woodcock
2 Andrew Hore
3 Chris King
4 Brad Thorn
5 Josh Bekhuis
6 Jarrad Hoeata
7 John Hardie
8 Nasi Manu
9 Aaron Smith
10 Lima Sopoaga
11 Hosea Gear
12 Ma’a Nonu
13 Tamati Ellison
14 Kade Poki
15 Ben Smith
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 16) : Same here, Currie Cup and SR both went down the drain. Back to the drawing board it is.
@hendrikp (Comment 17) :
I think you are right re Hoeata on the blindside and other than Josh we really have no one else in the middle of the lineout maybe Joe Wheeler could do something. The forwards look light on numbers at least 2 players lighter than the other franchises. Sopoaga has gone well but I’ve never been a huge Poki fan if he gets his leg right then it maybe different, jamie seems to get the best out of him! 😎