Kiwi's 2010

[Moses]

BLUES:
Tony Woodcock, John Afoa, Charlie Faumuina, Tevita Mailau, , Keven Mealamu, Tom McCartney, Anthony Boric, Ali Williams, Kurtis Haiu, Jerome Kaino, Peter Saili**, Serge Lilo (D)*, Tom Chamberlain**, Chris Lowrey, Viliame Maafu** +, Alby Mathewson*, Chris Smylie, Stephen Brett (D)*, Daniel Kirkpatrick (D)*, Luke McAlister***, Benson Stanley, Isaia Toeava, George Pisi***, Rudi Wulf, Anthony Tuitavake, Joe Rokocoko, Rene Ranger, Paul Williams.

CHIEFS:
Nathan White***, Ben Afeaki**, James McGougan, Sona Taumalolo, Aled de Malmanche, Hika Elliot, Kevin O’Neill, Craig Clarke, Callum Retallick**, Romana Graham**, Jarrad Hoeata (D)**, Liam Messam, Tanerau Latimer, Luke Braid**, Sione Lauaki, Colin Bourke, Brendon Leonard, Junior Poluleuligaga** +, Stephen Donald, Mike Delany, Callum Bruce, Jackson Willison, Richard Kahui, Lelia Masaga, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dwayne Sweeney, Tim Nanai-Williams**, Mils Muliaina.

HURRICANES:
John Schwalger, Jacob Ellison, Neemia Tialata, Anthony Perenise*, Andrew Hore, Dane Coles, Jeremy Thrush, Bryn Evans, James Broadhurst (D)**, Jason Eaton, Michael Paterson*, Victor Vito, Karl Lowe, Scott Waldrom, Rodney So’oialo, Nick Crosswell**, Piri Weepu, Tyson Keats (D)**, Aaron Cruden**, Willie Ripia, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Jason Kawau (D), Tamati Ellison, David Smith, Hosea Gear, Andre Taylor**, Cory Jane.

CRUSADERS:
Wyatt Crockett, Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Peter Borlase**, Corey Flynn, Ti’i Paulo***, Brad Thorn, Isaac Ross, Chris Jack***, Sam Whitelock**, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, George Whitelock, Jonathan Poff, Thomas Waldrom, Andy Ellis, Kahn Fotuali’i, Daniel Carter***, Daniel Bowden (D)*, Ryan Crotty, Tim Bateman, Robert Fruean**, Adam Whitelock, Sean Maitland, Kade Poki, Zac Guildford*, Colin Slade, Jared Payne.

HIGHLANDERS:
Jamie Mackintosh, Clint Newland, Chris King, Bronson Murray (D)*, Jason Macdonald, Jason Rutledge, Josh Bekhuis, Tom Donnelly, Hayden Triggs, Joe Tuineau**, Adam Thomson, Alando Soakai, John Hardie**, Tim Boys, Nasi Manu*, Stephen Setephano, Jimmy Cowan, Sean Romans, Matt Berquist (D), Michael Hobbs*, Jayden Hayward, Jason Shoemark (D), Kendrick Lynn, James Paterson**, Fetu’u Vainikolo, Ben Smith, Robbie Robinson**, Israel Dagg

* New player to a Franchise
** New player to a Super Rugby squad (i.e. has not been selected in an initial Super Rugby squad before)
*** Returning player
+ Pacific Island Player
D - draft

 

[PaarlBok]

That Crusaders squad look like the team to beat. Carter & Jack returning add the Cantabs winning the NPC, they sure going to be tough to beat.

Hope the Cartell gave his favourate boys a long rest like in the past.

 

[James Buchanan]

Blues look quite good as well.

They've really addressed their inside back inadequacy.

 

[Newb]

some good looking, balanced teams there. pretty good depth in a lot of positions. but after a quick scan i'm noticing a lack of decent flyhalfs. after dan carter, there ain't much.

blues: lucky luke, brett, kirkpatrick
chiefs: the duck, delany
canes: cruden, ripia
saders: carter, bowden
landers: berquist, hobbs

any of those names scare you besides dan the man? obvious potential in some, but very few have proven themselves.

 

[Scarfman]

Well, The Duck really has come on pretty well. From journeyman to legitimate option, mainly by improving his running game. Good on him, I suppose. And Lucky must like his chances of getting back to the Black at 10 or 12.

 

[Ash]

Thanks Moses.

Lucky Luke will be at 12, no doubt, with the signing of Brett and Benson Stanley push to the bench. But geez, how good does that Blues backline look on paper? Arguably the best in the S14, and fantastic depth in 11, 13, 14 and 15 too. The Blues also have a real handy 1st choise front and and 2nd row. Not sure that I rate their loosies in the same category, though.

Jared Payne - that's the guy I was trying to think of in the other thread. Rate him highly. The Crusaders backline will be good, but I think they will feel the loss of Laulala a bit - can't see a dominant 13 amongst their backs at all? But again, awesome recruitment with Zac Guildford, plus Bowden. Great pack, too.

Blues and Crusaders definitely the pick of the Kiwi sides - they look very strong. IMHO, weakness for the Blues is their loosies, Crusaders is centres.

 

[Ash]

Would be interesting to put the Australian squads up against those Kiwi squads once they are known. I think we will be a bit embarassed by the depth some of those teams have, though.

 

[PaarlBok]

Honestly look like the Kiwis squads they are in much better shape compare to last year but so do our teams. Count in a possible relegate question to our lot and you'll see they will play for life or death, just to stay clear as the SA wooden spoon team.

 

[Moses]

Chris Jack out of action with a wrist injury

A wrist injury will rule Crusaders rugby lock Chris Jack out of the first month of the Rebel Sport Super 14.

Veteran All Black Jack, who has returned to New Zealand after a two-year stint playing in England and South Africa, is unlikely to play until early March following wrist surgery.

Jack played 67 tests from 2002 to the 2007 World Cup.

 

[Gagger]

Is he that much of a wanker?

 

[spectator]

Thanks Moses.

But geez, how good does that Blues backline look on paper?

Very bloody good I have to say! I thik Brett will be a big hit and if he can fire up the attacking arsenal outside him, watch these guys go.

These guys look like they will be tough to beat in 2010.

 

[chriscullen]

Ali Williams is out for the season, lasted only 4 mins in a trial last night. The Blues seem to have an injury curse every season.

 

[disco]

The Blues backline on paper is scary look for them to rack up some big scores this year if they can get it all together, big loss with Ali Williams out for the season.

I also think the Crusaders are the team to beat from NZ but an injury to either Carter or Mccaw will bring them back to the pack.

 

[Lee Grant]

Their backline always looks good.

 

[Ruggo]

I am going to go for a long shot and say the Highlanders could be a suprise package for this year. As usual, they all look good though.

 

[Scorz]

My crystal ball has another year of the Blues going up and down, the Chiefs surprising both good and bad ways, the Saders being brilliant, and the Canes being mismanaged by Colin Cooper.

Highlanders? Who? Dunno and don't care.