2014 NZ Super Rugby Squads

[Brumby Jack]

These were announced this morning.

BLUES SQUAD
Forwards: Tom McCartney (Auckland), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), James Parsons (North Harbour), Charlie Faumuina (Auckland), Sam Prattley (Auckland), Angus Ta'avao (Auckland), Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Auckland), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour), Tom Donnelly (Otago), Liaki Moli (Auckland), Culum Retallick (Bay of Plenty), Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland), Kane Barrett (Taranaki), Luke Braid (Auckland), Jerome Kaino (Auckland), Steven Luatua (Auckland), Brendon O'Connor (Canterbury), Peter Saili (Auckland).

Backs: Jamison Gibson-Park (Taranaki), Bryn Hall (North Harbour), Piri Weepu (Auckland), Baden Kerr (Counties Manukau), Chris Noakes (Bay of Plenty), Pita Ahki (North Harbour), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), Francis Saili (North Harbour), Jackson Willison (Waikato), Frank Halai (Counties Manukau), Benji Marshall (Auckland), George Moala (Auckland), Charles Piutau (Auckland), Lolagi Visinia (Auckland).

Wider training group: Joe Edwards (Auckland), Simon Hickey (Auckland), Tevita Li (North Harbour), Tom Murday (Northland), Albert Nikoro (Auckland).

CHIEFS SQUAD
Backs: Robbie Robinson (Southland), Tom Marshall (Tasman), James Lowe (Tasman), Asaeli Tikoirotuma (Manawatu), Mils Muliaina (TBC), Tim Nanai-Williams (Counties Manukau), Robbie Fruean (Canterbury), Charlie Ngatai (Wellington), Bundee Aki (Counties Manukau), Andrew Horrell (Hawke's Bay), Aaron Cruden (Manawatu), Gareth Anscombe (Auckland), Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Waikato), August Pulu (Counties Mankau).

Forwards: Kane Thompson (TBC), Liam Squire (Tasman), Liam Messam (Waikato), Nick Crosswell (Manawatu), Tanerau Latimer (Bay of Plenty), Sam Cane (Bay of Plenty), Brodie Retallick (Bay of Plenty), Ross Filipo (Wellington), Mike Fitzgerald (Manawatu), Matt Symons (Canterbury), Ben Afeaki (North Harbour), Ben Tameifuna (Waikato), Jamie Mackintosh (Southlanf), Pauliasi Manu (Auckland), Josh Hohneck (Bay of Plenty), Hika Elliot (Counties Manukau), Mahonri Schwalger (Counties Manukau), Rhys Marshall (Taranaki).
Wider training squad: Carl Axtens (Bay of Plenty), Nick Barrett (Southland), Anton Lienert-Brown (Waikato), Tevita Kolomatangi (Tasman), Brad Weber (Waikato).

HURRICANES
Forwards: Mark Abbott (Hawke's Bay), James Broadhurst (Taranaki), Dane Coles (Wellington), Ash Dixon (Hawke's Bay), Ben Franks (Hawke's Bay), Reggie Goodes (Wellington), Jack Lam (Waikato), Faifili Levave (Wellington), Motu Matu'u (Wellington), Mark Reddish (Wellington), Ardie Savea (Wellington), John Schwalger (Wellington), Brad Shields (Wellington), Eric Sione (Wellington), Blade Thomson (Taranaki), Jeremy Thrush (Wellington), Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (Wellington), Victor Vito (Wellington).

Backs: Beauden Barrett (Taranaki), Marty Banks (Tasman), Tim Bateman (Wellington), Cory Jane (Wellington), Alapati Leiua (Wellington), James Marshall (Taranaki), Hadleigh Parkes (Auckland), TJ Perenara (Wellington), Matt Proctor (Wellington), Julian Savea (Wellington), Conrad Smith (Wellington), Chris Smylie (Taranaki), Andre Taylor (Taranaki), Cardiff Vaega (Southland). Wider training squad: Chris Eves (Manawatu), Callum Gibbins (Manawatu), Adam Hill (Wellington), Billy Guyton (Tasman), Nehe Milner-Skudder (Manawatu)

Wider training squad: Chris Eves (Manawatu), Callum Gibbins (Manawatu), Adam Hill (Wellington), Billy Guyton (Tasman), Nehe Milner-Skudder (Manawatu).

CRUSADERS SQUAD
Dominic Bird (Canterbury), Tyler Bleyendaal (Canterbury), Daniel Carter (Canterbury), Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury), Ryan Crotty (Canterbury), Israel Dagg (Hawke's Bay), Mitchell Drummond (Canterbury), Andy Ellis (Canterbury), Corey Flynn (Canterbury), Owen Franks (Canterbury), Ben Funnell (Canterbury) Zac Guildford (Hawke's Bay), Willi Heinz (Canterbury), Nepo Laulala (Canterbury), Rey Lee-Lo (Counties Manukau), Richie McCaw (Canterbury), Johnny McNicholl (Canterbury), Joe Moody (Canterbury), Nemani Nadolo (Tasman), Tim Perry (Tasman), Kieran Read (Canterbury), Luke Romano (Canterbury), Colin Slade (Canterbury), Jordan Taufua (Canterbury), Codie Taylor (Canterbury), Tom Taylor (Canterbury), Matt Todd (Canterbury), Jimmy Tupou (Counties Manukau), Adam Whitelock (Canterbury), George Whitelock (Canterbury), Luke Whitelock (Canterbury), Sam Whitelock (Canterbury).

Wider triaining group: Jed Brown (Canterbury), Kieron Fonotia (Tasman), Mike Kainga (Bay of Plenty), Rob Thompson (Canterbury), Nafi Tuitavake (North Harbour).

HIGHLANDERS SQUAD
Forwards
Josh Bekhuis, Shane Christie, Liam Coltman, Matias Diaz, Elliot Dixon, Gareth Evans, Ma’afu Fia, Tom Franklin, Kane Hames, John Hardie, Jarrad Hoeata, TJ Ioane, Chris King, Nasi Manu, Brayden Mitchell, Brad Thorn & Joe Wheeler.

Backs
Kurt Baker, Phil Burleigh, Jason Emery, Malakai Fekitoa, Patrick Osborne, Hayden Parker, Buxton Popoalii, Willie Ripia, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Winston Stanley, Fumiaki Tanaka, Shaun Treeby & Frae Wilson.

Wider Training Group
Lee Allan, Richard Buckman, Craig Millar, Trent Renata & Ged Robinson.

 

[Zander]

Nemani Nadolo.. rings a bell. I think he's played in Australia?

 

[Brumby Jack]

Nemani Nadolo.. rings a bell. I think he's played in Australia?

Correct. Waratahs.

 

[tigerland12]

Damn that Cheifs squad looks unbeatable.

 

[RoffsChoice]

Either the Highlanders Media Team forgot about their ITM Cup teams, or they are specifically saying "We're the Highlanders, not an ITM Cup variety team".

So prospective 23 for each team?
Blues:
Tony Woodcock, James Parsons, Charlie Faumuina, Cullum Retallick, Steven Luatua, Jermoe Kaino, Luke Braid (c), Peter Saili, Piri Weepu, Chris Noakes, Frank Halai, Ma'a Nonu, Jackson Willison, George Moala, Charles Piutau
Keven Mealamu, Sam Prattley, Angus Ta'avao, Tom Donnelly, Brendon O'Connor, Jamison Gibson-Park, Francis Saili, Benji Marshall

Chiefs:
Jamie Mackintosh, Hikawera Elliot, Ben Tameifuna, Brodie Retallick, Mike Fitzgerald, Liam Messam (c), Sam Cane, Kane Thompson, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Aaron Cruden, Mils Muliaina, Robbie Robinson, Tim Nanai-Williams, Tom Marshall, Gareth Anscombe
Rhys Marshall, Pauliasi Manu, Ben Afeaki, Matt Symons, Ross Filipo, Augustine Pulu, Bundee Aki, Asaeli Tikoirotuma

Crusaders:
Wyatt Crockett, Corey Flynn, Owen Franks, Luke Romano, Sam Whitelock, George Whitelock, Richie McCaw (c), Kieran Read, Andy Ellis, Dan Carter, Zac Guildford, Tom Taylor, Rey Lee-Lo, Adam Whitelock, Israel Dagg
Ben Funnell, Tim Perry, Nepo Laulala, Dominic Bird, Luke Whitelock, Willi Heinz, Colin Slade, Johnny McNicholl

Highlanders:
Kane Hames, Liam Coltman, Chris King, Brad Thorn, Josh Bekhius, Joe Wheeler, John Hardie, TJ Ioane, Aaron Smith, Hayden Parker, Patrick Osborne, Malakai Fekitoa, Phil Burleigh, Buxton Popoalii, Ben Smith
Brayden Mitchell, Matias Diaz, Ma’afu Fia, Jarrad Hoeata, Elliot Dixon, Fumiaki Tanaka, Lima Sopoaga, Kurt Baker

Hurricanes:
Ben Franks, Dane Coles, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Jeremy Thrush, Mark Reddish, Brad Shields, Ardie Savea, Victor Vito, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Julian Savea, Tim Bateman, Conrad Smith (c), Cory Jane, Hadleigh Parkes
Motu Matu'u, Reggie Goodes, John Schwalger, Mark Abbott, Blade Thomson, Chris Smylie, Cardiff Vaega, Matt Proctor

 

[RoffsChoice]

The highlanders have screwed up a few times - only one LHP, only one 12, three THPs, three 13s, mosts of their potential wingers are either centres or fullbacks who have played wing in the past.

 

[2bluesfan]

No place anywhere for Ihaia West - interesting.

 

[The Red Baron]

I see the Highlanders have picked up Willie Ripia. And Ma'a found a home with the Blues.

It will be interesting to see how the Blues use Kaino and Luatua next year, as well as how they will use Nonu and Francis Saili.

 

[hawktrain]

The highlanders have screwed up a few times - only one LHP, only one 12, three THPs, three 13s, mosts of their potential wingers are either centres or fullbacks who have played wing in the past.

Phil Burleigh and Shaun Treeby are both 12s.

 

[Brumby Jack]

I see the Highlanders have picked up Willie Ripia.

Lock up your wallets Dunedin!

 

[Braveheart81]

The biggest news out of these announcements is that Andrew Hore doesn't have a 2014 Super Rugby contract.

 

[Deputy Van Halen]

The biggest news out of these announcements is that Andrew Hore doesn't have a 2014 Super Rugby contract.

Was it announced he was retiring? There certainly have been plenty of signs pointing to that anyway.

It looks like Ged has taken up a hooker spot on the EPS at the highlanders. I figured he probably deserved a full squad spot after his performance last year.

 

[Hawko]

It looks like Ged has taken up a hooker spot on the EPS at the highlanders. I figured he probably deserved a full squad spot after his performance last year.

I guess that just shows that NZ teams have a very poor opinion of some Australian squads. Looking at the two full squad members in front of him, I'd be guessing Ged would fancy himself to leapfrog both by the end of the season. He'd certainly be the best EPS hooker in Aus/NZ.

 

[Bairdy]

A very weak Highlanders squad - so expect them to do well?
Extremely strong squads for the Chiefs and the Saders; both with their picks of the cream of the crop from ITM Cup.

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

The biggest news out of these announcements is that Andrew Hore doesn't have a 2014 Super Rugby contract.

The old warrior is done with pro rugby at the end of this season. Took me years to rate him, but he won me over in the end.

Loving that chiefs squad. Amazed for 3 years running we've been able to hold onto both Cane & Latimer. I think that really says something about the environment that Rennie & Smith have built.

 

[Bowside]

No place anywhere for Ihaia West - interesting.

Is he still touring with Maori?

And if he does, will that mean he is locked into representing NZ?

I've heard the rebels are offering big money (for a rookie).

 

[2bluesfan]

Is he still touring with Maori?

I believe so, I think they left for the USA a couple of days ago. He was the only 10 selected (although I suppose Piri Weepu has played there with some distinction in the past).

And if he does, will that mean he is locked into representing NZ?

Good question.

I've heard the rebels are offering big money (for a rookie).

He'd be a worthwhile gamble/investment in my opinion.

 

[KevinO]

I guess that just shows that NZ teams have a very poor opinion of some Australian squads. Looking at the two full squad members in front of him, I'd be guessing Ged would fancy himself to leapfrog both by the end of the season. He'd certainly be the best EPS hooker in Aus/NZ.

It's pretty funny, the Rebels have picked up a lot of points off the NZ sides and they still don't rate Ged as a squad quality player. Won 4 from 6 at home and had 5 bonus points in the 3 loses to NZ sides in 2013.

 

[Caputo]

I am clutching at tenuous straws here's almost 11 with something to do with Australia

Tom Murday formerly Force jnr, ACT Tugg Vikings and Reds Academy in Blues Extended squad
Former Australian Touch player Benji Marshall Blues
Son of Wallaroo Tawera Kerr-Barlow Chiefs
Sister and Cousin of Wallaroo Mahroni and John Schwalger Chiefs and Canes
Former Aussie U21 Jack Lam Canes
Former Waratah Nemani Nadolo Crusaders
Former Force players Ripia and Stanley Highlander
Former Bronco Thorn Highlanders
Former Rebel Ged Robinson Wider Highlander group

 

[Dan54]

It's pretty funny, the Rebels have picked up a lot of points off the NZ sides and they still don't rate Ged as a squad quality player. Won 4 from 6 at home and had 5 bonus points in the 3 loses to NZ sides in 2013.

Actually Ged couldn't get a starting spot in an ITM team, so not surprising he struggled to find a super team.​