Massive experience and exciting new talents are the order of the day for all New Zealand’s Super Rugby franchises as they reveal their 2016 squads.
The Highlanders have made minimal changes to their 2015 championship winning squad, with just 9 new additions to their 38-man squad. The side they beat in the 2015 final, the Hurricanes, have taken a similar approach, opting for continuity in retaining 30 players of the greater 39-man squad.
The Chiefs will boast 12 former and current All Blacks in their squad and a further 14 fresh faces. 4 Players have been promoted from the Crusaders’ wider training group with a further 11 players joining the franchise for the 1st time.
The Blues are the only side who have gone against the grain as head coach Tana Umaga has built his 2016 squad around 6 core players, as he looks to resurrect the franchise to his former glory.
We look at all New Zealand’s Super Rugby squads:
Highlanders:
The Highlanders have opted for continuity by hanging onto 29 players who contributed to their 2015 success that saw them claim the Super Rugby title, in their 38-man squad.
Daniel Lienert-Brown and James Lentjes return on full contracts while the loose forward stocks have been bolstered by Liam Squire and Luke Whitelock – after the departures of experienced campaigners, Nasi Manu and John Hardie. Also joining the forwards are Siosiua Halanukonuka and Greg Pleasants-Tate. Craig Millar returns to the squad after a 1-year hiatus due to injury as well as Jackson Hemopo, who debuted for the Highlanders in 2015 after coming into the squad as injury cover.
Young and exciting midfielders Rob Thompson and Matt Faddes come into the backs with fan-favourite, Fumiaki Tanaka, returning early in the new year for his fourth season.
Highlanders Super Rugby squad: Alex Ainley, Shane Christie, Liam Coltman, Ash Dixon, Elliot Dixon, Brendon Edmonds, Gareth Evans, Tom Franklin, Ross Geldenhuys, Siosiua Halanukonuka, Jackson Hemopo, Josh Hohneck, Daniel Lienert-Brown, James Lentjes, Craig Millar, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Dan Pryor, Mark Reddish, Liam Squire, Luke Whitelock and Joe Wheeler, Marty Banks, Richard Buckman, Jason Emery, Matt Faddes, Malakai Fekitoa, Waisake Naholo, Patrick Osborne, Hayden Parker, Josh Renton, Ben Smith, Aaron Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Fumiaki Tanaka, Rob Thompson, Patelesio Tomkinson, Ryan Tongia and Teihorangi Walden.
Hurricanes:
Building on the success of last year is at the forefront of the Hurricanes’ minds heading into the 2016 season and they believe they have the right balance of experience and youth to do just that.
Coach Chris Boyd is pleased with the scale of expertise scattered throughout the team, with 30 returning players and 9 new faces rounding out their 39-man squad.
“We’re very happy with the guys we have returning from last year, while we strongly believe the new players coming in will add some great value to our overall squad. Many of them will take their well-earned breaks now, following the ITM Cup, and we’ll look forward to getting back together later next month,” Boyd said.
Boyd said due to the Rugby World Cup happening in place of an end of year tour, the Hurricanes’ 6 All Blacks would be integrated back into the set-up about 3 weeks earlier than usual, at the start of January.
Hurricanes Super Rugby squad: Mark Abbott, Pita Ahki, Leni Apisai, Vince Aso, Beauden Barrett, Otere Black, James Broadhurst, Dane Coles, Geoffrey Cridge, Chris Eves, Michael Fatialofa, Vaea Fifita, Callum Gibbins, Jamison Gibson-Park, Reggie Goodes, Willis Halaholo, Iopu Iopu-Aso, Cory Jane, Tony Lamborn, Ngani Laumape, Christian Lloyd, James Marshall, Motu Matu’u, Ben May, Nehe Milner-Skudder, TJ Perenara, Matt Proctor, Hugh Renton, Hisa Sasagi, Ardie Savea, Julian Savea, Brad Shields, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Blade Thomson, Jeffery To’omaga-Allen, Loni Uhila, TJ Va’a, Victor Vito, Jason Woodward.
Chiefs:
Head coach Dave Rennie believes they have assembled a squad with a good blend of enthusiastic debutants and experience, with 12 current and former All Blacks in the team.
“We’ve selected an outstanding group of men, high on character and competitive edge. The 14 new faces, our highest turnover since 2012 when we had 16, gives us an exciting blend of youth and experience and excellent depth throughout. The new competition structure will be challenging with more travel, but being the first team to play in Buenos Aires will be an amazing occasion,” Rennie said.
There are 26 players returning to the Gallagher Chiefs who include Japanese Rugby World Cup captain and Chiefs New Player of the Year in 2015, Michael Leitch and former All Blacks and Rugby World Cup hero, Stephen Donald. Donald has played 85 matches for the Chiefs, last appearing for the side in 2011. Sonny Bill Williams and Augustine Pulu will be involved in the All Blacks Sevens squad in 2016.
Chiefs Super Rugby squad: Michael Allardice, Johan Bardoul, Dominic Bird, Sam Cane, Stephen Donald, Aaron Cruden, Hika Elliot, Glen Fisiiahi, Siegfried Fisiihoi, Mitchell Graham, Nathan Harris, Andrew Horrell, Mitchell Karpik, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Tevita Koloamatangi, Nepo Laulala, Michael Leitch, Anton Lienert-Brown, James Lowe, Pauliasi Manu, Rhys Marshall, Damian McKenzie, Sam McNicol, Atu Moli, Charlie Ngatai, Augustine Pulu, Toni Pulu, Brodie Retallick, Tom Sanders, Teleni Seu, Shaun Stevenson, Seta Tamanivalu, Chase Tiatia, Siate Tokolahi, James Tucker, Maama Vaipulu, Latu Vaeno, Sam Vaka, Brad Weber, Sonny Bill Williams, Austin Manning.
Crusaders:
The Crusaders have opted to go with a squad strong in experience but also brimming with new talent – 11 of which joining the squad for the 1st time and a further 4 players being promoted from the wider training group.
Prop Michael Alaalatoa and loose forwards Pete Samu and Tim Boys will bolster the forwards in 2016. They each join the squad off the back of impressive ITM Cup campaigns, Alaalatoa for Manawatu, Samu for Tasman and Boys for Southland.
“We have put a real focus on building more strength and power in our backline for 2016. We are hugely excited about the potential that we see and about the overall profile of next year’s squad.
“Having long-term injuries has made the contracting process a little more complicated this year, but it has also opened up fantastic opportunities for some other players. In addition, we have a number of players who will join the Crusaders from the beginning of our pre-season training and these players will become available to us if any further injuries rule players out.
“We believe that we have got the mix right, with some experienced, reliable and strong players up front, plus some big, powerful and fast players in the backline. I can’t wait to work with this group and create some exciting rugby in 2016,” head coach Todd Blackadder said.
Crusaders Super Rugby squad: Wyatt Crockett, Joe Moody, Alex Hodgman, Michael Alaalatoa, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Codie Taylor, Ged Robinson, Luke Romano, Sam Whitelock, Jimmy Tupou, Scott Barrett, Pete Samu, Jordan Taufua, Tim Boys, Matt Todd, Kieran Read, Andy Ellis, Mitchell Drummond, Ben Volavola, Richie Mo’unga, Marty Mckenzie, David Havili, Kieron Fonotia, Ryan Crotty, Robbie Fruean, Nemani Nadolo, Jone Macilai, Sione Fifita, Johnny McNicholl, Sean Wainui, Mitchell Hunt, Tim Perry, Jed Brown, Jack Goodhue, Israel Dagg, Leon Fukofuka, Mitchell Dunshea.
Blues:
The Blues’ 39-man squad is strongly built around the 6 senior players with All Blacks experience – comprising of captain Jerome Kaino, Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua, Patrick Tuipulotu, James Parsons and George Moala.
In particular the Blues welcome back Tuipulotu and Luatua after surgery, which cut short their 2015 campaigns, while All Blacks and Blues favourite Rene Ranger makes a return after 2 seasons in France and recent neck surgery.
“We have probably picked more young guys than the other Super sides and those selections have been challenging because there are so many young players who have played well in the ITM Cup, but we just can’t pick them all. We are blessed to have such riches of young talent in this region. However they are all looking for the most immediate pathway and in some cases that has led them to look elsewhere when there are established players in their positions at the Blues.
“The record of the club is there for everyone to see. Naming the squad is just the 1st step on a long road. There is so much hard work ahead every day, not just over the 2016 season but over the coming years, if we are to establish ourselves as a successful club. There’s no instant answer, just a lot of hard work from a dedicated group who are proud to be part of the Blues,” head coach Tana Umaga said.
Blues Super Rugby squad: James Parsons, Matt Moulds, Quentin MacDonald, Nic Mayhew, Sam Prattley, Charlie Faumuina, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Sione Mafileo, Namatahi Waa, Patrick Tuipulotu, Gerrard Tuioti-Mariner, Hoani Matenga, Josh Bekhuis, Scott Scrafton, Jerome Kaino, Blake Gibson, Kara Pryor, Jack Ram, Steven Luatua, Akira Ioane, Joe Edwards, Bryn Hall, Sam Nock, Billy Guyton, Ihaia West, Matt McGahan, Dan Bowden, Piers Francis, George Moala, Rene Ranger, Rieko Ioane, TJ Faiane, Michael Little, Tevita Li, Ben Lam, Melani Nanai, Lolagi Visinia, Matt Duffie, Jordan Trainor.