New Zealand Super Rugby Squads 2015

[waiopehu oldboy]

The five NZ sides have pretty much finalised their squads:

2015 BLUES SQUAD

Forwards: Josh Bekhuis (Southland), Luke Braid (Auckland), Joe Edwards (Auckland), Charlie Faumuina (Auckland), Blake Gibson (Auckland), Jerome Kaino (Auckland, captain), Will Lloyd (Auckland), Steven Luatua (Auckland), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Matt Moulds (Northland), Brendon O'Connor (Hawkes Bay), James Parsons (Northland), Greg Pleasants-Tate (North Harbour), Sam Prattley (Auckland), Culum Retallick (Bay of Plenty), Peter Saili (Auckland), Angus Ta'avao (Taranaki), Hayden Triggs (North Harbour), Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland), Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Auckland), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour).

Backs: Pita Ahki (North Harbour), Dan Bowden (Northland), Jimmy Cowan (Tasman), Jamison Gibson-Park (Taranaki), Frank Halai (Counties Manukau), Bryn Hall (North Harbour), Simon Hickey (Auckland), Ben Lam (Auckland), Tevita Li (North Harbour), George Moala (Auckland), Melani Nanai (Auckland), Hamish Northcott (Manawatu), Charles Piutau (Auckland), Francis Saili (Auckland), Matt Vaega (North Harbour), Lolagi Visinia (Auckland), Ihaia West (Hawkes Bay).

Chiefs 2015 (W denotes wider training group):

Outside backs: Tom Marshall, Tim Nanai-Williams, Hosea Gear, James Lowe, Bryce Heem, Toni Pulu (W).

Midfield backs: Sonny Bill Williams, Charlie Ngatai, Andrew Horrell, Seta Tamanivalu, Anton Lienert-Brown (W).

First five-eighths: Aaron Cruden, Marty McKenzie (W), Damian McKenzie.

Halfbacks: Augustine Pulu, Brad Weber, Leon Fukofuka (W).

Loose forwards: Liam Messam, Sam Cane, Liam Squire, Tevita Koloamatangi, Sean Polwart, Michael Leitch, Johan Bardoul, Maama Vaipulu (W).

Locks: Brodie Retallick, Mike Fitzgerald, Matt Symons, Michael Allardice.

Props: Ben Tameifuna, Pauliasi Manu, Jamie Mackintosh, Mitchell Graham, Siate Tokolahi, Ben Afeaki (W).

Hookers: Nathan Harris, Rhys Marshall, Quentin MacDonald.

HIGHLANDERS 2015 SQUAD

Forwards: Kane Hames, Pingi Tala'apitaga, Ma'afu Fia, Ross Geldenhuys, Josh Hohneck, Brendon Edmonds, Liam Coltman, Ash Dixon, Tom Franklin, Joe Wheeler, Alex Ainley, Mark Reddish, Dan Pryor, Gareth Evans, John Hardie, Shane Christie, Nasi Manu, Elliot Dixon.

Backs: Aaron Smith, Fumiaki Tanaka, Marty Banks, Liam Sopoaga, Hayden Parker, Trent Renata, Shaun Treeby, Jason Emery, Malakai Fekitoa, Richard Buckman, Waisake Naholo, Patrick Osborne, Ben Smith, Kurt Baker.

Wider training group: Sam Anderson-Heather, Joe Latta, Lee Allen, Josh Renton, Tei Walden, Ryan Tongia.

HURRICANES (probable):

Outside backs: Julian Savea, Cory Jane, Nehe Milner Skudder, Jason Woodward, Matt Proctor, Vince Aso, Ambrose Curtis.

Midfield: Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Rey Lee-Lo, Willis Halaholo.

Five-eighths: Beauden Barrett, James Marshall.

Halfbacks: TJ Perenara, Chris Smylie.

Loose forwards: Victor Vito, Brad Shields, Blade Thomson, Ardie Savea, Callum Gibbins, Iopu Iopu-Aso.

Locks: Jeremy Thrush, James Broadhurst, Geoff Cridge, Mark Abbott.

Props: Ben Franks, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, John Schwalger, Reggie Goodes, Chris Eves/Eric Sione.

Hookers: Dane Coles, Motu Matu'u.

Gone from 2014: Alapati Leiua (England), Andre Taylor (Japan), Tim Bateman (Japan), Faifili Levave (Japan), Ash Dixon (Highlanders), Jack Lam (England), Marty Banks (Highlanders), Mark Reddish (Highlanders), Brendon Edmonds (Highlanders)

Probable Crusaders squad: Scott Barrett, Dominic Bird, Dan Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Mitchell Drummond, Andy Ellis, Kieron Fonotia, Robbie Fruean, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Willi Heinz, Nepo Laulala, Richie McCaw, Johnny McNicholl, Jone Macilai, Joe Moody, Nemani Nadolo, Tim Perry, Kieran Read, Ged Robinson, Luke Romano, Colin Slade, Jordan Taufua, Codie Taylor, Tom Taylor, Matt Todd, Nafi Tuitavake, Jimmy Tupou, Luke Whitelock, Sam Whitelock.

All from stuff.co.nz

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/10673403/Jerome-Kaino-to-captain-Blues-in-2015
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...Chris-Boyd-must-get-sums-right-for-Hurricanes
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/10671786/Blackadder-sticks-with-trusted-Crusaders-crew
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...Size-returns-to-create-strong-Chiefs-backline
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...sman-finalists-will-bolster-Highlanders-ranks

 

[SaderCheif]

Alot of power in that Chiefs side!

 

[AngrySeahorse]

Yep, Chiefs look very solid.

I'm happy to see Robbie Fruean back at the Saders too.

 

[southsider]

from a casual glance it looks like chiefs have a decent team on paper but don't have the same depth they once had (except their front row stocks wich look fairly good)

id like to see the blues go well but if history has any say im more inclined to go with the canes as 1st placed Nz team

 

[Bairdy]

Chiefs and Highlanders look strong

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

from a casual glance it looks like chiefs have a decent team on paper but don't have the same depth they once had (except their front row stocks wich look fairly good)

id like to see the blues go well but if history has any say im more inclined to go with the canes as 1st placed Nz team

If history has any say the Horrorcanes will either string together several losses then just when they look fucked for all money string a few wins together; or string together several wins then just when the look locked in for all money string a few losses together. Either way they're everybody''s darling but come the big dance they're sat at home wondering "WTF happened?" They are, in short, the NZ Warriors of Super Rugby (& that from a long-suffering Warriors supporter).

Keep an eye on The Clan, esp if Shag decides to keep his RWC squad in cotton wool.