Nonu and Lee-Lo bolster Hurricanes' midfield
Important old heads, mixed with a couple of significant returning players and the elevation of some exciting youth, is how Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd sums up his 2015 squad.
Boyd announced his full team this morning and said the return of Ma'a Nonu and Reynold Lee-Lo specifically, along with the new faces contracted in midfield positions, were key additions to the Hurricanes roster.
"We're really happy with the return of Ma'a and Rey. Along with Conrad, they make us extremely competitive in the midfield," said Boyd. "We've also got Willis (Halaholo) and Vince (Aso), both very capable individuals, who will push and learn from the players around them."
Along with Aso and Halaholo, there are four additional new faces in the Hurricanes' 2015 squad.
Christian Lloyd and Geoffrey Cridge have been outlined by selectors as a locking combo with huge potential, while Taranaki's Iopu Iopu-Aso and Jason Woodward will also look to get their first caps for the club.
Manawatu's Callum Gibbins, Nehe Milner-Skudder, and Chris Eves have all been promoted to full contracts from wider training group status last year, following strong ITM Cup campaigns with the Championship-winning Turbos.
The 2015 Hurricanes squad is:
Ben Franks, Mark Abbott , Geoffrey Cridge* (Hawke's Bay), Dane Coles, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Jeremy Thrush, Brad Shields, Ardie Savea, Victor Vito, TJ Perenara, Julian Savea, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Cory Jane, Jason Woodward*, Reggie Goodes, Motu Matu'u, John Schwalger, Christian Lloyd*, Matt Proctor (Wellington), Callum Gibbins, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Chris Eves, (Manawatu), James Broadhurst, Beauden Barrett, Iopu Iopu-Aso*, Blade Thomson, James Marshall, Chris Smylie (Taranaki), Vince Aso* (Auckland), Reynold Lee-Lo (Counties Manukau), Willis Halaholo* (Southland).
Wider training group: Mike Kainga (Bay of Plenty), Leni Apisai*, Frae Wilson, Adam Hill (Wellington), Otere Black* (Manawatu), Hugh Renton* (Hawke's Bay).
Fruean back for the Crusaders
The Crusaders have four new players for the 2015 season, and one of them is a familiar face.
Robbie Fruean will return to the team after spending 2014 with the Chiefs. Fruean is a powerful midfielder who first debuted for the Crusaders in 2010 and has already earned 61 caps for the team.
Also adding to the backline stocks is Northland winger Jone Macilai. Macilai was picked up by Northland last year after being spotted playing in a rugby sevens tournament in Fiji. Blackadder said he will bring an injection of speed to the backline next season.
The new faces in the forwards are hooker Ged Robinson and lock Scott Barrett. Blackadder says Robinson will bring some valuable experience to the team following the departure of the Crusaders' most capped player, fellow hooker Corey Flynn.
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.
Blues upgrade captaincy
All Black looseforward Jerome Kaino will be the third captain in the three years of coach John Kirwan's tenure as the Blues look for a spark to change their ongoing lack of success.
"Jerome brings everything you want in a captain - leadership on the field, leadership off the field. He is also an X Factor player. As a team we want to be resilient and relentless and Jerome is that sort of player," Kirwan said.
Kaino replaces Braid who is returning to work after shoulder surgery and will continue to be part of the leadership group.
The Blues have shed the much touted but eventually fitful inside back combination of Piri Weepu, Benji Marshall and Ma'a Nonu to offshore, rugby league and the Hurricanes.
The highest profile replacement is former All Black halfback Jimmy Cowan while steady Super 15 lock Josh Bekhuis has transferred north, Dan Bowden has returned to midfield and exciting wing Ben Lam has been introduced.
Cowan returns after three years in the English premiership while Bekhuis collected 81 caps with the Highlanders. Fellow Lock Culum Retallick and NZ under 20 loosie Joe Edwards return after their seasons were blighted by injury.
The Blues have named a 38-strong team with twenty-nine players are from within the Blues region.
The cornerstone of the Blues will be the pack that includes six All Blacks - Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Jerome Kaino, Charlie Faumuina, Patrick Tuipulotu and Steven Luatua who boast 325 Test caps between them.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 (North Harbour), 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), Ihia West (Hawkes Bay).
Highlanders cast net wide
Players from 13 different provinces have been picked in the Highlanders's 2015 Super Rugby squad as the side looks to build on their sixth placed finish last season.
Coach Jamie Joseph has cast the net far and wide with ten newcomers in the squad for next season.
The forward pack in particular's been bolstered with front rowers Ross Geldenhuys, Brendon Edmonds and Ash Dixon all included.
In the backs, Marty Banks and Taranaki speedster Waisake Naholo are the main feaures.
Just eight players have been included from within the Highlanders' catchment area, reflecting Otago and Southland's poor ITM Cup performances.
Highlanders 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
Highlanders Backs
Aaron Smith, Fumiaki Tanaka, Marty Banks, Lima Sopoaga, Hayden Parker, Trent Renata, Shaun Treeby, Jason Emery, Malakai Fekitoa, Richard Buckman, Waisake Naholo, Patrick Osborne, Ben Smith, Kurt Baker
Big boys return for Chiefs
The Chiefs have today announced a formiddable backline for their 2015 Super Rugby season, along with two brothers to back up All Black first five Aaron Cruden.
The return of Sonny Bill Williams from a two-year stint in the NRL adds an element of fear to the 38-man squad named today.
But he is joined by powerful Taranaki centre Seta Tamanivalu among the midfielders, while strapping wingers Hosea Gear, James Lowe and Bryce Heem will also help create a fearsome running game.
McKenzie brothers Marty and Damian will back up Cruden, who will miss the opening round against the Blues in Albany on February 14 and probably two others during the season as the All Black is rested ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
There are 23 returning Chiefs players, with 21 of those from last year. The squad features 20 players from Chiefs Provincial Unions with five players from the Chiefs Development programme.
Chiefs halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow who was injured during a recent All Blacks match will continue his long-term rehabilitation with the squad in the Chiefs environment.
Chiefs 2015 (W denotes wider training group):
Chiefs Outside backs: Tom Marshall, Tim Nanai-Williams, Hosea Gear, James Lowe, Bryce Heem, Toni Pulu (W).
Chiefs Midfield backs: Sonny Bill Williams, Charlie Ngatai, Andrew Horrell, Seta Tamanivalu, Anton Lienert-Brown (W).
Chiefs First five-eighths: Aaron Cruden, Marty McKenzie (W), Damian McKenzie.
Chiefs Halfbacks: Augustine Pulu, Brad Weber, Leon Fukofuka (W).
Chiefs Loose forwards: Liam Messam, Sam Cane, Liam Squire, Tevita Koloamatangi, Sean Polwart, Michael Leitch, Johan Bardoul, Maama Vaipulu (W).
Chiefs Locks: Brodie Retallick, Mike Fitzgerald, Matt Symons, Michael Allardice.
Chiefs Props: Ben Tameifuna, Pauliasi Manu, Jamie Mackintosh, Mitchell Graham, Siate Tokolahi, Ben Afeaki (W).
Chiefs Hookers: Nathan Harris, Rhys Marshall, Quentin MacDonald.
- nzherald.co.nz
