The New Zealand Super Rugby squads have been announced for 2012.
Crusaders:
Crusaders coaches Todd Blackadder, Daryl Gibson and Dave Hewett today named their 2012 Crusaders Super Rugby squad for the 2012 Super Rugby season.
Head coach Todd Blackadder is looking forward to next year’s competition, “It’s going to be a fantastic contest, the Crusaders will put a lot of emphasis on doing the simple things really well, we need to be consistent and be prepared to front every single week.”
Blackadder added: “We have some really exciting players coming through plus a lot of experienced players who we are expecting to really step up this year”
New players announced in the squad are Canterbury hooker Ben Funnell, outside back Patrick Osborne, midfielder Tom Taylor and loose forward Luke Whitelock who all played a part in the 2011 ITM Cup winning side.
Both Tom and Luke were involved in the 2011 Crusaders wider training squad. Locks Tom Donnelly and Ross Kennedy join the squad from the Highlanders and Port Elizabeth’s Eastern Province Kings respectively.
Luke Whitelock (former New Zealand junior world cup captain) joins older brothers George, Adam and Sam in the squad.
Last season the Crusaders reached the Super Rugby final against the Reds in Brisbane after the team played every match on the road following the devastating Christchurch earthquake.
Players likely to bring up statistical caps during this year’s season include, Dan Carter (95 caps), Owen Franks (41 caps), Zac Guildford, (45 caps – 27 Crusaders, 18 Hurricanes), Sean Maitland (41 caps) and George Whitelock (43 caps).
Captain Richie McCaw is the most capped player in the current squad with 110 caps.
Dan Carter’s 1272 points is the highest total in Super Rugby history.
The 2012 Crusaders squad includes ten All Blacks involved in the Rugby World Cup champion side (Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Zac Guildford, Kieran Read and Sam Whitelock)
The Crusaders first competition match is against fierce rivals the Blues on Friday 24th February at Eden Park.
2012 Crusaders Squad
Richie McCaw, Nick Barrett, Tyler Bleyendaal, Dan Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Tom Donnelly, Andrew Ellis, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Robbie Fruean, Ben Funnell, Zac Guildford, Willi Heinz, Ross Kennedy, Quentin MacDonald, Sean Maitland, Tom Marshall, Patrick Osborne, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Tom Taylor, Matt Todd, Joe Wheeler, Adam Whitelock, George Whitelock, Luke Whitelock, Sam Whitelock.
Blues:
Blues coach Pat Lam has named what he believes is the most exciting and experienced Super rugby squad that he has ever assembled
The 30-man 2012 Blues Squad was officially announced in Auckland this morning with only four players new to the franchise.
Led by talismanic captain Keven Mealamu, the Blues squad features All Black stars Piri Weepu and Ma’a Nonu.
Lam has also looked to bring in the next generation of talent, naming New Zealand Sevens flyer David Raikuna and Auckland youngster George Moala in the squad.
After a season in the Blues Wider Training Group, promising first five-eighths Gareth Anscombe and props Pauliasi Manu and Angus Ta’avao have also graduated to the full squad.
2009 Blues player of the year Rudi Wulf has returned from a season with Toulon in France to further boost the backline stocks, while 23-year-old playmaker Michael Hobbs has overcome serious back surgery to rejoin the Blues after debuting for the Auckland-based franchise two years ago.
Despite being sidelined all of last season due to horrific injuries, number eight Brad Mika and lock Liaki Moli have been retained in the squad and will be relishing the opportunity for game time in 2012.
Lam said he was excited about the continuity of the squad as well as the introduction of some new faces to the team.
“This is definitely the strongest squad I’ve named in my time with the Blues,” Lam said on the Blues website.
“If you look at the group we’ve named, there are only four players out of the 30 that are new to the franchise ” – Piri Weepu, Ma’a Nonu, David Raikuna and George Moala.
“That’s exciting when you look at Piri and Ma’a who were superb during the World Cup and were nominated for the IRB Player of the Year award, and also Moala and Raikuna – two young wingers who will learn from a lot from the experienced guys.
“They have a lot of natural talent. David’s ability to beat a man is exceptional and he’s a typical Fijian flyer, while Moala is all Tongan power and strength so they complement Rudi Wulf, Sherwin Stowers and Rene Ranger.
“Ranger is keen to get some game time at centre like he did a couple of years ago and that frees up the possibility for these younger guys to get in, do some training and really push hard for a wingers spot.”
Lam said it was important to start bringing in the next generation of talent to a team featuring eight players from the World Cup winning All Blacks side.
“We’re pretty excited with the balance we have in the squad. Bryce and I were really conscious that while we have all this experience with Ma’a and Piri joining the likes of Kevvie, Ali Williams, Isaia Toeava, Rudi Wulf, Anthony Boric, Jerome Kaino, Tony Woodcock and others, it’s important that we bring the young guys through like Gareth Anscombe, George Moala and the others that can learn from them.
“The successful Auckland and Blues teams of the past have always had a strong leadership group and experienced players teaching the next generation coming through and in the Blues region we have a lot of talent. For the young props like Pauliasi and Angus, giving them an opportunity to learn from Tony Woodcock is crucial to their development.”
Lam was also thrilled to see Keven Mealamu head into his twelfth year with the Blues.
“There’s no hiding the admiration I have for Keven Mealamu and we were so stoked he re-committed to the Blues for two years before the World Cup,” he said.
“He’s played a major part in developing the ‘Blues way’ and I knew he would play a major role in the All Blacks side that won the World Cup. He’s the most experienced Blues player ever and he’s got a couple of years in him left. He’s so passionate about the Blues and he’s the ultimate role model for the rest of the team.”
While Nonu and Weepu’s move north from the Hurricanes may have grabbed all the headlines in the lead up to the 2012 Blues Squad announcement, Lam said the return of wing Rudi Wulf was one of his most pleasing signings.
“I have to say it certainly made my day when Rudi asked to come back to the Blues. He had a lot of pressure to go to the other franchises because everyone knows how good he is but we’re thrilled he’s chosen to stay with us.
“Rudi exemplifies the ultimate professional player ” he’s pretty much the Kevvie of the backs in way he trains, his commitment and he’s a great team man. He’s someone that is certainly going to help us a lot next year.”
The 2012 Blues Squad is:
FORWARDS:
Anthony Boric, Daniel Braid, Luke Braid, Charlie Faumuina, Jerome Kaino, Chris Lowrey, Tevita Mailau, Pauliasi Manu, Tom McCartney, Keven Mealamu, Brad Mika , Liaki Moli, Filo Paulo, Peter Saili, Angus Ta’avao, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock.
BACKS:
Gareth Anscombe, Michael Hobbs, Alby Mathewson, George Moala, Lachie Munro, Ma’a Nonu, David Raikuna, Rene Ranger, Benson Stanley, Sherwin Stowers, Isaia Toeava, Piri Weepu, Rudi Wulf.
Chiefs:
The Chiefs have named their 2012 Super Rugby squad with Sonny Bill Williams being confirmed as one of the Chiefs new backliners.
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie said, “It is a good mixture of young exciting talent and key experienced players which should allow us to play a highly appealing style of rugby.
“It is an exciting time for New Zealand rugby and we are looking forward to being part of that as we kick off our campaign.
“We know that public support is a vital ingredient of our season so we are really looking forward to the people of the whole region getting behind the team and coming to the games.”
The Chiefs squad, except the All Black players will assemble on November 21.
Chiefs 2012 Squad
Forwards
Toby Smith (Prop), Sona Taumalolo (Prop), Ben Afeaki (Prop), Shane Cleaver (Prop), Ben Tameifuna (Prop), Hika Elliot (Hooker), Mahonri Schwalger (Hooker), Romana Graham (Lock), Craig Clarke (Lock), Mike Fitzgerald (Lock), Brodie Retallick (Lock), Kane Thompson (Lock), Liam Messam (Loose Forward), Scott Waldrom (Loose Forward), Tanerau Latimer (Loose Forward), Sam Cane (Loose Forward), Fritz Lee (No 8), Alex Bradley (No 8).
Backs
Brendon Leonard (Halfback), Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Halfback), Aaron Cruden (First five-eighth), Andrew Horrell (First five-eighth), Jackson Willison (Midfield), Sonny Bill Williams (Midfield), Richard Kahui (Midfield), Aseli Tikoirototuma (Midfield), Lelia Masaga (Winger), Maritino Nemani (Winger), Declan O’Donnell (Winger), Tim Nanai-Williams (Fullback), Robbie Robinson (Fullback).
Management Team
Head Coach Dave Rennie, Assistant Coach Wayne Smith, Assistant Coach Tom Coventry, Assistant Coach Andrew Strawbridge, Manager Stu Williams, Assistant Manager Don Shergold, Head Trainer Phil Healey, Physiotherapist Paul Cameron, Assistant Trainer Wally Rifle, Assistant Physiotherapist Mike Lovell, Doctor James McGarvey, Analyst Matt Toulson.
Hurricanes:
The Hurricanes have named their squad for the 2012 Super Rugby season with a vast number of changes after the departures of several Hurricanes stalwarts.
There are 21 players returning to the franchise and a number of new faces in the Hurricanes squad for the coming season. .
Two offshore players have decided to return to New Zealand and have chosen the Hurricanes as their franchise.
Tim Bateman, currently playing in Japan, already has 35 Super Rugby caps to his name at the age of 24 and Tusi Pisi, who starred with Samoa in the Rugby World Cup, will also return from playing in Japan to join the Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes will not be short of young talent in the ranks with three from the 2011 World Championship winning New Zealand Under 20 team also in the squad – Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara and Brad Shields.
The squad will form later in November for pre-season training, with the All Blacks and overseas players joining the team early next year, after their current commitments.
HURRICANES:
Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Beauden Barrett, Tim Bateman, Michael Bent, James Broadhurst, Richard Buckman, Dane Coles, Jason Eaton, Chris Eaton, Reggie Goodes, David Hall, Jayden Hayward, Cory Jane, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Jack Lam, Alapati Leiua, Faifili Levave, Karl Lowe, Motu Matu’u, Ben May, Tristan Moran, Charlie Ngatai, TJ Perenara, Tusi Pisi, Mark Reddish, Julian Savea, Brad Shields, Conrad Smith, Chris Smylie, Andre Taylor, Jeremy Thrush, Victor Vito.
Highlanders:
The Higlanders have named their Super Rugby squad for the 2012 Super Rugby season with new signings such as Andrew Hore and Hosea Gear.
The stand out name in the Highlanders squad is that of England World Cup loose forward James Haskell who is the surprise player for the Highlanders.
Haskell is one of 28 new names included in the five New Zealand franchises announced on Wednesday, less than a week after the Highlanders said he was unlikely to join them.
The 26-year-old had expressed an interest in playing Super 15 rugby, but Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark said as recently as last Friday that he was “not on the list of available players at the moment so we can’t pick him”.
But the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) confirmed Wednesday that Haskell was one of five overseas players who appeared in the World Cup last month to take up places in New Zealand Super 15 sides for next year.
Haskell, who can play in all three loose forward positions, will link up with the Highlanders after completing a spell with the Ricoh Black Rams in Japan, and at the end of the Super season he will rejoin the London Wasps.
Being able to secure the services of the 42-Test veteran was a “sign of the times”, Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph told Fairfax Media.
“It’s my job to pick the best players available in the world now, not just Otago.”
HIGHLANDERS:
Kurt Baker, Josh Bekhuis, Jimmy Cowan, Nick Crosswell, Elliot Dixon, Tamati Ellison, Ma’afu Fia, Hosea Gear, John Hardie, James Haskell, Jarrad Hoeata, Andrew Hore, Chris King, Kendrick Lynn, Jamie Mackintosh, Nasi Manu, Bronson Murray, Chris Noakes, Siale Piutau, Kade Poki, Culum Retallick, Jason Rutledge, Colin Slade, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Adam Thomson, Doug Tietjens, Shaun Treeby, Telusa Veainu.