Kiwi super15 squads

[zimeric]

Blues: John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Daniel Braid, Luke Braid, Stephen Brett, Ash Dixon, Charlie Faumuina, Kurtis Haiu, Jerome Kaino, Chris Lowrey, Matthew Luamanu, Tevita Mailau, Alby Mathewson, Luke McAlister, Tom McCartney, Keven Mealamu, Brad Mika, Liaki Moli, Toby Morland, Lachie Munro, Filo Paulo, Jared Payne, Rene Ranger, Josevata Rokocoko, Peter Saili, Chris Smylie, Benson Stanley, Winston Stanley, Sherwin Stowers, Isaia Toeava, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock.

Chiefs: Ben Afeaki, Colin Bourke, Craig Clark, Mike Delany, Aled de Malmanche, Stephen Donald, Hikawera Elliot, Romana Graham, Richard Kahui, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Tanerau Latimer, Fritz Lee, Brendon Leonard, Lelia Masaga, Ben May, Liam Messam, Taniela Moa, Malili Muliaina, Tim Nanai-Williams, Dan Perrin, Culum Retallick, Isaac Ross, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Toby Smith, Dwayne Sweeney, Sona Taumalolo, Save Tokula, Hayden Triggs, Tana Umaga, Scott Waldrom, Nathan White, Jackson Willison.

Hurricanes: Michael Bent, James Broadhurst, Dane Coles, Laurence Corlett, Aaron Cruden, Chris Eaton, Jason Eaton, Jacob Ellison, Bryn Evans, Hosea Gear, Andrew Hore, Cory Jane, Tyson Keats, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Jack Lam, Alipati Leiua, Faifili Levave, Serge Lilo, Karl Lowe, Charlie Ngatai, Ma'a Nonu, Anthony Perenise, Mark Reddish, Julian Savea, John Schwalger, Conrad Smith, Rodney So'oialo, Andre Taylor, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Victor Vito, Piri Weepu.

Crusaders: Nicholas Barrett, Matt Berquist, Tyler Bleyendaal, Dan Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis, Corey Flynn, Kahn Fotuali'I, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Robbie Fruean, Zac Guildford, David Hall, Willi Heinz, Chris Jack, Quentin MacDonald, Sean Maitland, Tom Marshall, Richie McCaw, Andrew Olorenshaw, Jonathan Poff, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Brad Thorn, Matt Todd, Joe Wheeler, Adam Whitelock, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Sonny Bill Williams.

Highlanders: Halani Aulika, Kurt Baker, Josh Bekhuis, Jimmy Cowan, Nick Crosswell, Elliot Dixon, Tom Donnelly, John Hardie, Jarrad Hoeata, Chris King, Kendrick Lynn, Jamie MacIntosh, Nasi Manu, Brayden Mitchell, Bronson Murray, James Paterson, Siale Piutau, Robbie Robinson, Sean Romans, Jason Rutledge, Matt Saunders, Mahonri Schwalger, Colin Slade, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Alando Soakai, Lima Sopoaga, David Te Moana, Adam Thomson, Shaun Treeby, Joe Tuineau, Telusa Veainu

[The InnFORCEr]

What has happen to Paul Williams (son of All Black Brian)???

[todd4]

David Smith does not get a mention so if he wants to play super rugby next year he will need to sign with the Force.

If we sign him for next year as our marquee player I hope it is only for 1 year as after the RWC there will probably be a lot of international players coming onto the market.

[Burgs]

I hadn't realised that Michael Hobbs was out off the whole season next year for back surgery.
Still to be capped, I think the Force should be sending him lots of "Get well soon" cards!

[brokendown gunfighter]

david Te Moana in the Highlanders

[zimeric]

yeah saw that , good on him

[Hoolly Doolly]

Looks like josh tatupu didnt make the initial squad. good to see him break in later in the season.
Colin Slade to the highlanders is a big move.

Crusaders backline fark me!
15 dagg
14 maitland
13 fruean
12 williams
11 guildford
10 carter
9 fotualii

not as good as the force backline though!

Isaac Ross move to the Chiefs is interesting. Whitelock seems to have cemented the spot.

[beige]

Are these the new jerseys or just polos?

[oxleymoron]

Isaac Ross move to the Chiefs is interesting.

Ross moved to the Chiefs to cover the loss of Kevin O'Neill to the Rebels. Their lineout has never been particularly good in recent years and still don't see too many supporting jumpers in the rest of their pack when they run with a back row of Messam, Latimer, Bourke and/or Scott Waldrom.

With Dagg moving to the crusaders, I think that Kurt Baker with have a breakout year for the Highlanders, based on the form I saw of him in a few ITM cup games.

[GIGS20]

Are these the new jerseys or just polos?

I reckon they'll be polos, but it's interesting to note BNZ's sponsorship deal!

[TOCC]

I reckon they'll be polos, but it's interesting to note BNZ's sponsorship deal!

NZRU sells the sponsorship rights to the New Zealand teams as a consolidated package, started last year

[The InnFORCEr]

NZRU sells the sponsorship rights to the New Zealand teams as a consolidated package, started last year

Prior to last year wasn't it the same consolidated package only with Ford??

[beige]

Yup.

[Burgs]

Few surprises in NZ Super Rugby announcement

MARC HINTON AT EDEN PARK
Stuff Last updated 16:50 10/11/2010

The more things change, the more they stay the same in New Zealand's Super Rugby landscape with today's announcement of the five franchise squads for 2011.

Despite a major shift in the contracting format this year that has finally allowed franchises to sign their own players, and the extension of squads to 32 players to cover the expansion to 15 teams, there was a same old, same old feel to the team unveiling at Eden Park today.

As usual the Crusaders are choc-full of quality and have added some key big-hitters in the off season - in Israel Dagg and Sonny Bill Williams they don't come much bigger - and as usual the Hurricanes look the best of the rest with no shortage of talent and depth from New Zealand's most well-resourced rugby region.

Nothing changes there. No surprises.

The Blues have stuck almost exclusively to players from within their boundaries, if you include last year's imports Stephen Brett and Alby Mathewson, and again Pat Lam's challenge will be about gaining consistency out of a group that has plenty of ability.

Er, no changes there then.

And the Chiefs again look threats based on a killer backline and a more solid forward pack. If anything, coach Ian Foster has also managed to add to the depth in the franchise this year with some judicious signings and some internal development.

So maybe the Chiefs could be classified as movers for 2011, though given these guys were finalists two years ago, that wouldn't exactly be a dramatic surprise.

And last, though not least, are the Highlanders. New coach Jamie Joseph has swept a new broom through the struggling southern franchise - bringing in nine newcomers to Super rugby and another seven new to the region -- and makes another attempt at rebuilding via the import process.

Definitely nothing new there.

All told there have been a dozen players shift franchises. Dagg, Matt Berquist and David Hall have all gone to the Crusaders from the Highlanders; the Chiefs have picked up Issac Ross (Crusaders), Hayden Triggs (Highlanders) and Scott Waldrom (Hurricanes); the Highlanders have lured in Colin Slade (Crusaders), Jarrad Hoeata (Chiefs) and Nick Crosswell (Hurricanes); while Daniel Kirkpatrick is back at the Hurricanes after a stint at the Blues and the Blues have picked up Jared Payne (Crusaders) and Luke Braid (Chiefs).

There are also 40 newcomers, headed by the high-profile Williams, including seven members of this year's world champion under-20s.

One other feature was the lack of jobs for veterans such as Ben Atiga, Brent Ward and Kees Meeuws, though of course Tana Umaga did land that role with the Chiefs and Chris Jack is again in the Crusaders mix.

Once again everyone will look on with envy at the talent Todd Blackadder has assembled at the Crusaders, which includes eight touring All Blacks, the injured Dagg and others like Robbie Fruean, Zac Guildford and Matt Todd who aren't a million miles off that level.

Just imagine the backline he'll have at his disposal: Andy Ellis, Dan Carter, Williams, Fruean, Guildford, Sean Maitland and Dagg. And then picture Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn and Owen Franks dishing them up pill on a plate.

Ad Feedback As ever they'll be well coached, well prepared and kept on the job by Blackadder who will be motivated as can be to improve on two straight semifinal exits.

"We're really happy with our squad," said Blackadder, somewhat stating the obvious. "We've got a good mix - there's a lot of experience and a lot of young guys who have proven themselves at the ITM Cup level. We're satisfied that we've selected the right men for the job."

Weaknesses? Like the All Blacks they're a bit shallow behind Dan Carter at 10, but they have their options well covered elsewhere. Southland's David Hall is a quality addition at backup hooker, they have props, locks and loosies in abundance, two top No 9s and the likes of Adam Whitelock and Ryan Crotty to cover the outside backs.

New Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett was also satisfied with a squad boasting 947 Canes caps between them and just seven newcomers, six of whom come from within the region. Waikato openside Jack Lam is the only imported player to cover for the long-term injury to Karl Lowe.

The Canes went with a 19-13 forwards-backs split mainly because of the need to cover for Lowe and pick three specialist opensides. They have similar issues with Piri Weepu not due back from his broken ankle till April at the earliest.

The big concerns for the Hurricanes were around the halves and at openside and Hammett said he was satisfied they had things covered there. Taranaki's Chris Eaton and Tyson Keats will cover halfback till Weepu returns, Kirkpatrick backs up Aaron Cruden at No 10 and Serge Lilo and Lam will contest No 7 till Lowe re-enters the picture.

Also lurking in the Canes' wider training squad is highly rated young No 10 Beauden Barrett who will come in should there be an injury to Cruden or Kirkpatrick. Hammett admitted that Joseph had beaten him to the punch by signing impressing Wellington teen Lima Sopoaga who may well have ousted Kirkpatrick had he been available.

"What we saw with franchise contracting was a wee period when everyone was scrambling for players," noted Hammett. "You've got to back instincts and back them early, which is what we've done. Unfortunately you can only contract 28, and in the Hurricanes there are a hell of a lot of good footballers. Last year we had 44 Hurricanes franchise-based players around New Zealand. We'd love to keep them all, but you can't."

Chiefs coach Ian Foster said he felt the enlarged squad had enabled the selection of more "specialised" players and he hinted that Umaga loomed as a key addition despite the fact that he wouldn't be asked to run himself into the ground.

"While we fully intend to manage him closely through the campaign in terms of workload, his presence and roles will be invaluable.

"It is an exciting year and we have much to prove... we have clearly boosted our resources in our tight five as we see maintaining performance in this area right through the longer campaign as essential."

The Chiefs look to have the deepest squad they've ever had. Their front row is two deep in every position, they are well served at lock where "locals" Craig Clarke, Romana Graham and Culum Retallick will look to stave off the imports and the loose trio has proven performers as well as an exciting young comer in Fritz Lee.

It's a similar story in the backline where Foster will have plenty of options at his disposal including game-breakers like Brendon Leonard, Mike Delany, Richard Kahui, Lelia Masaga and Sitiveni Sivivatu.

Blues coach Pat Lam has brought in just two "outsiders" for what he hopes will be a "coming-of-age" season for the erratic northerners.

Sherwin Stowers from Counties Manukau joins the outside backs contingent and Luke Braid come up from Chiefs territory to back up his brother in the loose. There's also the return of big Brad Mika who will eventually contend for a No 8 spot once he gets over his knee reconstruction surgery and Northland captain Jared Payne who stays in-region for the first time after a couple of years with the Crusaders.

"I remember my first year we had 16-17 new guys playing for the Blues, and the team has moved along the continuum as an experienced group which is quite crucial," said Lam. "They understand what we're doing, and driving what we're trying to do as a Blues culture and Blues team.

"There are some really determined senior players there who want to make this a big year for us."

The Blues will nurse Ali Williams (Achilles), young lock Liaki Moli (shoulder) and Mika through their injury issues, and Lam says none will be rushed back till they are fully ready.

Joseph has had the most to do with the Highlanders and he has been busy. The net has been cast wide as the rookie coach has added to the six Otago players and 13 Southlanders in his squad. Key pickups include Slade, No 8 Nasi Manu, sevens wiz Kurt Baker, rugged forwards Hoeta and Crosswell and Canterbury wing Telusa Veainu. Teenager Sopoaga also looks a nice addition. Jamie Mackintosh has been named skipper.

"My goal as coach is to improve the guys and create an environment where they can go and be themselves and play the best rugby they can," said Joseph.

"But the Highlanders are rebuilding. We've got nine players who haven't played Super Rugby and some good experience there as well. I think it's a good blend."

SUPER RUGBY SQUADS

Highlanders: Halani Aulika, Kurt Baker, Josh Bekhuis, Jimmy Cowan, Nick Crosswell, Elliot Dixon, Tom Donnelly, John Hardie, Harrad Hoeata, Chris King, Kendrick Lynn, Jamie Mackintosh, Nasi Manu, Brayden Mitchell, Bronson Murray, James Paterson, Siale Piutau, Robbie Robinson, Sean Romans, Jason Rutledge, Matt Saunders, Mahonri Schwalger, Colin Slade, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Alando Soakai, Lima Sopoaga, David Te Moana, Adam Thomson, Shaun Treeby, Joe Tuineau, Telusa Veainu. Coach: Jamie Joseph

Crusaders: Nicholas Barrett, Matt Berquist, Tyler Bleyendaal, Dan Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis, Corey Flynn, Kahn Fotuali'i, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Robbie Fruean, Zac Guildford, David Hall, Willi Heinz, Chris Jack, Quentin MacDonald, Sean Maitland, Tom Marshall, Richie McCaw, Andrew Olorenshaw, Jonathan Poff, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Brad Thorn, Matt Todd, Joe Wheeler, Adam Whitelock, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Sonny Bill Williams. Coach: Todd Blackadder

Hurricanes: Michael Bent, James Broadhurst, Dane Coles, Laurence Corlett, Aaron Cruden, Chris Eaton, Jason Eaton, Jacob Ellison, Bryn Evans, Hosea Gear, Andrew Hore, Cory Jane, Tyson Keats, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Jack Lam, Alipati Leiua, Faifili Levave, Serge Lilo, Karl Lowe, Charlie Ngatai, Ma'a Nonu, Anthony Perenise, Mark Reddish, Julian Savea, John Schwalger, Conrad Smith, Rodney So'oialo, Andre Taylor, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Victor Vito, Piri Weepu. Coach: Mark Hammett

Chiefs: Ben Afeaki, Colin Bourke, Craig Clarke, Mike Delany, Aled de Malmanche, Stephen Donald, Hikawera Elliot, Romana Graham, Richard Kahui, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Tanerau Latimer, Fritz Lee, Brendon Leonard, Lelia Masaga, Ben May, Liam Messam, Taniela Moa, Malili Muliaina, Tim Nanai-Williams, Dan Perrin, Culum Retallick, Isaac Ross, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Toby Smith, Dwayne Sweeney, Sona Taumololo, Save Tokula, Hayden Triggs, Tana Umaga, Scott Waldrom, Nathan White, Jackson Willison. Coach: Ian Foster

Blues: John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Daniel Braid, Luke Braid, Stephen Brett, Ash Dixon, Charlie Faumuina, Kurtis Haiu, Jerome Kaino, Chris Lowrey, Matthew Luamanu, Tevita Mailau, Alby Mathewson, Luke McAlister, Tom McCartney, Keven Mealamu, Brad Mika, Liaki Moli, Toby Morland, Lachie Munro, Filo Paulo, Jared Payne, Rene Ranger, Josevata Rokocoko, Peter Saili, Chris Smylie, Benson Stanley, Winston Stanley, Sherwin Stowers, Isaia Toeava, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock. Coach: Pat Lam