New Zealand Super Squads

[Bardon]

James Haskell seemed to have signed on with no fan fair at all. I knew he was keen to play Super rugby after finishing up in Japan but thought it might have received more press.

It got some press up here in the NH at least. It will just be for the season as he's contracted to return to Wasps for their 2012-13 season.

England back-row James Haskell will play for the Otago Highlanders in the Super 15 next season.

Haskell, who played in the recent World Cup in New Zealand, was a surprise inclusion in the Highlanders squad when it was announced on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old will join the New Zealand side after a stint at Japan's Ricoh Black Rams and before returning to his former English club Wasps.

Haskell most recently played in Europe with French giants Stade Francais.

"I have always wanted to test myself in a new environment and in a new culture, both as player and as an individual," Haskell told the Times.

"I think it will help me in my desire to improve and become a better player for England.

"The move to New Zealand and playing with some of the best players in the world in the country which holds the World Cup is another important step in that direction. That is the ultimate playing environment."

All five New Zealand teams announced their squads for the 2012 Super 15 campaign on Wednesday.

Haskell is one of only five overseas internationals contracted to New Zealand teams: the Waikato Chiefs squad includes the Samoa World Cup players Kane Thompson and Mahonri Schwalger, and Tonga's Sona Taumalolo, while Samoa fly-half Tusi Pisi will play for the Wellington Hurricanes.

Head coach Jamie Joseph believes Haskell brings international experience and versatility to the Highlanders mix.

"Those are compelling reasons to select him," he said. "He's a good footy player and also a bit of a character.

"He's played in France, he's in Japan, money wasn't an issue, so he's coming down here to play rugby. He wants to come down and have a go.

"He gives us tremendous flexibility on our bench. He can play in all three loose forward positions. We have that ability now not to have to play guys week in and week out, as we had to do last season."

Haskell's overseas adventures mean he will not be available to play for England in next season's Six Nations - the Super 15 season runs from February until August.

The Highlanders' opening match is at the Chiefs in Hamilton on 25 February, the same day as England host Wales in the Six Nations.

However, Haskell has already committed himself to returning to his old club Wasps, where he spent seven years before leaving for France, for the 2012-13 season.

 

[Larno]

What's the Kiwi opinion on 'Brand' Haskell joining the Clan? He hasn't been in great form lately and despite any claims of "it's not for the money" a man who recently launched an iPhone app solely for the purpose of shameless self promotion can't come cheaply.

 

[Dan54]

Don't think he actually getting much money, he was picked at 29-30, so can't imagine Highlanders had much left to pay him under the "cap". Most of money would of already been spent on earlier picks.

 

[WhoDaresWin]

That Auckland backline looks very dangerous for next year.

That's the thing, we've always had a great backline year after year but have always come up short. IMO, I think a reason for this is the lack of a really good general at 10 (like King Carlos, Fox). Jimmy Gopperth & Stephen Brett tried their best but were not enough.

Next season, I hope Weepu gets to start at 10 with Anscombe on the bench.

A backline of 9. Mathewson, 10. Weepu, 11. Raikuna, 12. Nonu, 13. Ranger, 14. Wulf, 15. Toeava would be a sight to watch.

 

[spectator]

That's the thing, we've always had a great backline year after year but have always come up short. IMO, I think a reason for this is the lack of a really good general at 10 (like King Carlos, Fox). Jimmy Gopperth & Stephen Brett tried their best but were not enough.

Next season, I hope Weepu gets to start at 10 with Anscombe on the bench.

A backline of 9. Mathewson, 10. Weepu, 11. Raikuna, 12. Nonu, 13. Ranger, 14. Wulf, 15. Toeava would be a sight to watch.

Who is Raikuna WDW (excuse my ignorance)? Agree with you that 10 is probably the one area of possible weakness but Weepu will do a pretty good job there. If I was a Blues supporter I'd like to see Benson Stanley there...really rate him and his defensive qualities might be needed. Looking at the other players though, that is serious firepower. These guys should score a truckload of points next year.

 

[Antony]

A backline of 9. Mathewson, 10. Weepu, 11. Raikuna, 12. Nonu, 13. Ranger, 14. Wulf, 15. Toeava would be a sight to watch.

Jeeebus.

All the sides actually look like they could field decent backlines, injuries permitting. The stand-out for my money is still the Crusaders, both in terms of 1st-choice and back-up (with Tom Taylor etc. on the bench) though I'm probably biased, and the weakest is maybe the Hurricanes.

Crusaders: Ellis, Carter, Guildford, Whitelock/Crotty, Fruean, Maitland, Dagg

Highlanders: Cowan, Slade, Poki, Ellison, Treeby/Lynn, Gear, Ben Smith

Chiefs: Leonard, Cruden, Masaga, SBW, Kahui, O'Donnell, Nanai-Williams

Canes: Smylie(?), Barrett, Jane, Hayward (woo Taranaki), Conrad Smith, Savea, Pisi(?)

 

[spectator]

Hellfire! Shit there's some depth in NZ rugby...Ill be interested to see how Treeby goes in 2012, I was impressed with what I saw this year.

 

[WhoDaresWin]

Raikuna is another Fijian winger making his name in the Blues team. I just hope & pray he emulates them.

He was in the NZ 7s team last season, plays for Counties-Manukau in the NPC. He has jet shoes (which Fijian winger doesnt??), wicked sidesteps and an uncanny ability to pop-up in the right places and is a very good finisher (a younger version of Sivivatu). Been following him closely for the past 2 years and IMO, he will be better than Sivivatu. Still needs to work on his defence but he will get there eventually.

For our backs to fire (or for any backline for that matter) we need some good old grunt from the pack, and in Mealamu, Kaino, Woodcock, Boric, Williams, Mika & the Braid brothers we entrust our faith.

Just hope Pat Lam does something magical to get this team to gel.

Regarding Stanley, he is well regarded by most of us but he is in the same mould as Nonu, both straight running ball carriers (NZ version of McCabe & Fainga'a). One has to start and one on the bench, but with the Super rugby season now longer, it's really good to know that we have strength in our squad.

 

[hammertimethere]

Haskell or Nasi Manu? Manu to 6?

Rotation Rotation Rotation. Depends what they do with thompson, some games they'll need a fetcher, so they use hardie, thompson to 6 and the other two duke it out. or they play thompson at 7 and problem solved.

 

[Jets]

What's the Kiwi opinion on 'Brand' Haskell joining the Clan? He hasn't been in great form lately and despite any claims of "it's not for the money" a man who recently launched an iPhone app solely for the purpose of shameless self promotion can't come cheaply.

I think part of his problem has been that Johnson played him at 6, 7 & 8. I see him more as a 6 than anything else and it would put him up against Thompson at the Clan. I think the Highlanders might be a good fit for him though as Joseph is doing a great job with them.

 

[qwerty51]

Haskell will be off the bench in a full strength side I think. Anyway they just added more depth which they needed, they burnt out quite early this year.

 

[Bowside]

It all depends on what style the highlanders play and also the way in which the laws around the breakdown are enforced. What we have seen time and time again this season is that if teams dont play an on-ball 7 they have a hard time getting on top at the breakdown. But this could change with different interpretations around the breakdown and playing a 6 at 7 could become the preferred option - we simply will not know until the competition starts or the refs make an announcement.

 

[BDA]

Would be nice to see a list of the players that have left each side.

On the subject of the Chief. I cant see them being serious title contenders. They'll certainly trouble some teams. A strong centre pairing and nice looking backrow. But last year they were outmuscled by the better packs, including the Reds. They haven't really bolstered that area of their game. In fact they'v lost Ben May, who was probably holding the front row together this season.

The Canes line-up is the worst I can remember for the yellow and black. My pick for bottom of the NZ conference.

Blues and Saders both look the goods!

 

[Bowside]

That's true BDA, but people use to say the same things about the reds pack, some still do. Only thing that I would be worried about as a chiefs supporter is the lack of established top class locks. One or two of them will need to really step it up if the chiefs are to go all the way, as a good lineout is crucial to first phase backline moves.

 

[BDA]

That's true BDA, but people use to say the same things about the reds pack, some still do.

mm good point

 

[SaderCheif]

That's true BDA, but people use to say the same things about the reds pack, some still do. Only thing that I would be worried about as a chiefs supporter is the lack of established top class locks. One or two of them will need to really step it up if the chiefs are to go all the way, as a good lineout is crucial to first phase backline moves.

Craig Clark is talented. Im glad he moved to the Chiefs at the saders hes was always in the shadow of Jack. Went to School with the bloke, good guy. My brother's still mates with him.

 

[Bardon]

I think due to the fact the Haskell has been moved around the BR during his career will mean he's coming off the bench a lot. Not sure how 1 season is going to benfit him that much but he did say he was going there to become a better player for England. Normally it takes a player a season to settle and you see the best of them 2nd season.

 

[SuperGrover]

I think due to the fact the Haskell has been moved around the BR during his career will mean he's coming off the bench a lot. Not sure how 1 season is going to benfit him that much but he did say he was going there to become a better player for England. Normally it takes a player a season to settle and you see the best of them 2nd season.

I hope I'm wrong, but I can't see him making much of an impact... especially considering he's coming off what must be up there with the longest rugby season's of all time. French rugby season and six nations to world cup to Japanese rugby to super rugby (and then he's off back to the English game).

If he can sustain top-grade performances for that amount of time, he'll deserve to be more than a bench player.

 

[crangs81]

What's the Kiwi opinion on 'Brand' Haskell joining the Clan? He hasn't been in great form lately and despite any claims of "it's not for the money" a man who recently launched an iPhone app solely for the purpose of shameless self promotion can't come cheaply.

Would rather they picked up Colin Bourke instead. Not like NZ is bursting at the seams with talented No.8's

 

[crangs81]

Would be nice to see a list of the players that have left each side.

On the subject of the Chief. I cant see them being serious title contenders. They'll certainly trouble some teams. A strong centre pairing and nice looking backrow. But last year they were outmuscled by the better packs, including the Reds. They haven't really bolstered that area of their game. In fact they'v lost Ben May, who was probably holding the front row together this season.

The Canes line-up is the worst I can remember for the yellow and black. My pick for bottom of the NZ conference.

Blues and Saders both look the goods!

Still not happy about that, he was one of the main reasons we made the final in 09