2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa Squads

[waiopehu oldboy]

All five squads being named today, Chiefs first up:

Hookers: Nathan Harris, Bradley Slater, Samisoni Taukei’aho.

Props: Sione Mafileo, Atu Moli, Ollie Norris, Reuben O’Neill, Aidan Ross, Angus Ta’avao.

Locks: Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Josh Lord, Laghlan McWhannell, Tupou Vaa’i.

Loose forwards: Kaylum Boshier, Lachlan Boshier, Mitchell Brown, Sam Cane, Pita Gus Sowakula, Luke Jacobson, Mitchell Karpik, Simon Parker.

Halfbacks: Xavier Roe, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Brad Weber.

First five-eighths: Bryn Gatland, Rivez Reihana, Kaleb Trask.

Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Alex Nankivell, Bailyn Sullivan, Quinn Tupaea.

Outside backs: Jonah Lowe, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Shaun Stevenson, Chase Tiatia, Sean Wainui.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...nes-pair-jonah-lowe-and-chase-tiatia-for-2021

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Hurricanes:

Props: Tevita Mafileo, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Alex Fidow, Fraser Armstrong.


Hookers: Dane Coles, Ricky Riccitelli, Asafo Aumua.


Locks: Isaia Walker-Leawere, Scott Scrafton, Kane Leaupepe, James Blackwell, Liam Mitchell.


Loose forwards: Ardie Savea, Brayden Iose, Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Vaea Fifita, Reed Prinsep, Gareth Evans.


Halfbacks: Luke Campbell, Jamie Booth, Jonathan Taumateine.


First-fives: Simon Hickey, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Ruben Love.


Midfielders: Peter Umaga-Jensen, Ngani Laumape, Vince Aso, Billy Proctor, Danny Toala.


Outside backs: Wes Goosen, Jordie Barrett, Salesi Rayasi, Julian Savea, Lolagi Visinia, Pepesana Patafilo.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...-leaves-hurricanes-light-on-experience-at-910

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Blues:

Hookers: Ray Niuia (Tasman), James Parsons (North Harbour), Soane Vikena (Auckland).


Props: Alex Hodgman (Auckland), Nepo Laulala (Counties Manukau), James Lay (Auckland), Marcel Renata (Auckland), Karl Tu’inukuafe (North Harbour), Ofa Tuungafasi (Auckland).


Locks: Gerard Cowley-Tuioti (North Harbour), Sam Darry (Canterbury), Josh Goodhue (Northland), Jacob Pierce (North Harbour), Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland).


Loose forwards: Blake Gibson (Auckland), Dillon Hunt (North Harbour), Akira Ioane (Auckland), Dalton Papalii (Counties Manukau), Taine Plumtree (Wellington), Tom Robinson (Northland), Hoskins Sotutu (Auckland).


Halfbacks: Finlay Christie (Tasman), Sam Nock (Northland), Jonathan Ruru (Auckland).


Inside backs: Otere Black (Bay of Plenty), Stephen Perofeta (Taranaki), Harry Plummer (Auckland).


Midfield: TJ Faiane (Auckland), Rieko Ioane (Auckland), Tanielu Tele’a (Auckland).


Outside backs: Caleb Clarke (Auckland), AJ Lam (Auckland), Jone Macilai-Tori (Northland), Emoni Narawa (Bay of Plenty), Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Taranaki), Zarn Sullivan (Auckland), Mark Telea (Tasman).

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...g-comers-to-bolster-deep-and-impressive-squad

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Highlanders:

Props: Daniel Lienert-Brown, Jeff Thwaites, Ayden Johnstone, Ethan De Groot, Jermaine Ainsley, Siate Tokolahi, Josh Hohneck


Hookers: Liam Coltman, Ash Dixon, Ricky Jackson


Locks: Pari Pari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Manaaki Selby-Rickit , Bryn Evans


Loose forwards: Shannon Frizell, Sione Misiloi, James Lentjes, Billy Harmon, Kazuki Himeno, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Teariki Ben- Nicholas, Liam Squire


Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, Kayne Hammington, Folau Fakatava


No 10s Josh Ioane, Mitchell Hunt


Midfielders: Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Patelesio Tomkinson, Michael Collins, Fetuli Paea, Scott Gregory


Outside backs: Jona Nareki, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Vilimoni Koroi, Solomon Alaimalo, Sam Gilbert, Connor Garden-Bachop, Ngatungane Punivai

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...d-liam-squire-as-all-blacks-dream-still-burns

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Crusaders:

Hookers: Codie Taylor, Andrew Makalio, Brodie McAlister


Props: Joe Moody, Michael Ala'alatoa, George Bower, Oliver Jager, Tamaiti Williams, Isi Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell


Locks: Scott Barrett (captain), Sam Whitelock, Mitchell Dunshea, Quinten Strange, Luke Romano


Loose forwards: Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Sione Havili, Tom Sanders


Halfbacks: Bryn Hall, Mitchell Drummond, Ere Enari


Inside backs: Richie Mo’unga, Brett Cameron, Fergus Burke


Midfielders: Jack Goodhue, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod


Outside backs: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, George Bridge, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Manasa Mataele, Chay Fihaki, Isaiah Punivai

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...k-braydon-ennor-for-2021-super-rugby-aotearoa

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Probably timely to re-post the draw:

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

And the TT component:

 

[Dan54]

Geez the Blues are building up some depth aren't they? There is a few loosies in that squad that will be just holding tackling bags.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ NZR have to step in here & prevent this blatant warehousing of players. For the greater good .

 

[KiwiM]

Blues have paid their dues - they had Michael Collins as starting fullback for multiple seasons......

 

[Blake]

Crusaders:
5 out (no AB caps)
4 in from Canterbury + Sam Whitelock
5/38 would have to be close to a record low turnover?

BB and cruden gone.

I Can’t see anyone but the crusaders winning it.
(I said this at the start of last season and dismal blew his top, so we’ll see how he handles it this year.)

 

[KiwiM]

With there being a final in 2021 - that increases the likelihood of someone else winning it other than the Crusaders.

 

[Blake]

With there being a final in 2021 - that increases the likelihood of someone else winning it other than the Crusaders.

Yes there is a final - Could already start selling tickets right? - Crusaders v Blues in Christchurch

Funny, last year all the chat was a no finals meant the crusaders might struggle (...presumably...as they were slow starters under blackadder).

But obviously you're right, a final means all it takes is one bad day.

 

[Blake]

Ethan Root - released to North Harbour.

Tough day.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Hopefully the Chiefs to continue their 0-8 tumble into forlorn disarray.

Highlanders: Kazuki Himeno

Wow that is interesting. J-cable channel will now go back to featuring a lot of Landers matches like when Tanaka was there. Big time player. But then thats what they said about Goromaru and he shit the bed bigtime at the Reds.

Squire, Himeno and Tuu. Crossword Frizzle back to the bench to cotton wool him for the AB's.....

Crusaders: Brodie McAlister

Props:
Alex Hodgman (Auckland),
Nepo Laulala (Counties Manukau),
Karl Tu’inukuafe (North Harbour),
Ofa Tuungafasi (Auckland)

 

[Dan54]

Hopefully the Chiefs to continue their 0-8 tumble into forlorn disarray.)

They might have a problem getting that, looks like Canes are going to have an attempt.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Hurricanes:

First-fives: Simon Hickey, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Ruben Love.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Tribe only named 37 players, the 38th is potentially Lurch upon his return from sabbatical:

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/s...ick-could-be-available-for-the-chiefs-in-2021

 

[zer0]

So what up with Kurt Eklund?

Blues development player of the year and New Zealand under-20 hooker Vikena (signed for four years) was injured in the Mitre-10 Cup, which means the well-performed Kurt Eklund returns as injury cover. Eklund (Bay of Plenty) has signed a two-year deal with the Blues that kicks in from 2022.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...g-comers-to-bolster-deep-and-impressive-squad

Based on last season he should absolutely be starting and playing as long as possible. Hell, I'd rather shift Ofa in one to hooker before letting old man Parsons trundle in and give the ball back to the opposition at every opportune moment.

 

[zer0]

Saw a piece on Rugby Pass on MacDonald still trying to get Carter involved behind-the-scenes, which could be great.

Was also this tidbit.

However, as first reported by the Herald, the Blues have left one spot for an international test star who they are in talks with.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/leon...on-dan-carters-playing-future-with-the-blues/

Definitely light on midfielders so would love to see Marchant back after his first foray was cut short. But otherwise have no idea who this may be.

EDIT:

The Blues are reportedly in the hunt for the signature of Los Pumas midfielder Santiago Chocobares to fill the final spot on their roster for the upcoming Super Rugby season.

The Auckland franchise named their squad for next year’s Super Rugby Aotearoa and Super Rugby Trans-Tasman campaigns, which included just three midfielders – TJ Faiane, Rieko Ioane and Tanielu Tele’a.

With one place left vacant from the 38-man team, the New Zealand Herald reports that the Blues are looking abroad to fill that gap, targeting promising Pumas star Chocobares.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/repo...o-join-franchise-for-2021-super-rugby-season/

Apparently he was part of the Auckland academy at one point too.