New Zealand’s five Super Rugby franchises were unveiled at the official naming of the 2011 Investec Super Rugby Squads – the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders and Highlanders – in Auckland today.
New Zealand Rugby Union General Manager of Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen welcomed the contracting of 160 players into expanded 32-man squads as promise of a sensational 2011 Investec Super Rugby season for New Zealand fans.
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“The introduction of the franchise contracting model has seen some exciting movements, and some promising new blood coming into the mix. Coaches and franchises have worked cooperatively – and competitively – to build strong squads for 2011.
“This year sees 40 players picked for the first time into a Super Rugby squad and 12 existing players moving to new franchises. The squads also see some young talent coming through with seven of this year’s IRB Junior World Champion Under 20s team, being selected into squads.
“Next year will be an exciting year in New Zealand rugby, and it’s fantastic that our rugby calendar kicks off with this world-class premier rugby competition. I’m looking forward to seeing these teams in action next year,” Sorensen said.
In 2011 the Investec Super Rugby competition expands to 15 teams with the arrival of new Australian franchise the Melbourne Rebels. It also sees a revamped competition format with a new three-Conference system within each of the three SANZAR nations. This will see more local derbies with all New Zealand teams playing home and away games against each other. New Zealand teams will also play four of the five teams from each of the other country Conferences.
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The 2011 Investec Super Rugby Squads are:
Blues:
John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Daniel Braid, Luke Braid, Stephen Brett, Ash Dixon, Charlie Faumuina, Kurtis Haiu, Jerome Kaino, Chris Lowrey, Matthew Luamanu, Tevita Mailau, Alby Mathewson, Luke McAlister, Tom McCartney, Keven Mealamu, Brad Mika, Liaki Moli, Toby Morland, Lachie Munro, Filo Paulo, Jared Payne, Rene Ranger, Josevata Rokocoko, Peter Saili, Chris Smylie, Benson Stanley, Sherwin Stowers, Isaia Toeava, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock.
Chiefs:
Ben Afeaki, Colin Bourke, Craig Clark, Mike Delany, Aled de Melmanche, Stephen Donald, Hikawera Elliot, Romana Graham, Richard Kahui, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Tanerau Latimer, Fritz Lee, Brendon Leonard, Lelia Masaga, Ben May, Liam Messam, Taniela Moa, Malili Muliaina, Dan Perrin, Culum Retallick, Isaac Ross, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Toby Smith, Dwayne Sweeney, Sona Taumalolo, Save Tokula, Hayden Triggs, Tana Umaga, Scott Waldrom, Nathan White, Jackson Willison.
Hurricanes:
Michael Bent, James Broadhurst, Dane Coles, Laurence Corlett, Aaron Cruden, Chris Eaton, Jason Eaton, Jacob Ellison, Bryn Evans, Hosea Gear, Andrew Hore, Cory Jane, Tyson Keats, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Jack Lam, Alipati Leiua, Faifili Levave, Serge Lilo, Karl Lowe, Charlie Ngatai, Ma’a Nonu, Anthony Perenise, Mark Reddish, Julian Savea, John Schwalger, Conrad Smith, Rodney So’oialo, Andre Taylor, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Victor Vito, Piri Weepu.
Crusaders:
Nicholas Barrett, Matt Berquist, Tyler Bleyendaal, Dan Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis, Corey Flynn, Kahn Fotuali’I, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Robbie Fruean, Zac Guildford, David Hall, Willi Heinz, Chris Jack, Quentin MacDonald, Sean Maitland, Tom Marshall, Richie McCaw, Andrew Olorenshaw, Jonathan Poff, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Brad Thorn, Matt Todd, Joe Wheeler, Adam Whitelock, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Sonny Bill Williams.
Highlanders:
Halani Aulika, Kurt Baker, Josh Bekhuis, Jimmy Cowan, Nick Crosswell, Elliot Dixon, Tom Donnelly, John Hardie, Jarrad Hoeata, Chris King, Kendrick Lynn, Jamie MacIntosh, Nasi Manu, Brayden Mitchell, Bronson Murray, James Paterson, Siale Piutau, Robbie Robinson, Sean Romans, Jason Rutledge, Matt Saunders, Mahonri Schwalger, Colin Slade, Aaron Smith, Alando Soakai, Lima Sopoaga, David Te Moana, Adam Thomson, Shaun Treeby, Joe Tuineau, Telusa Veainu.