New Zealand Super Rugby Conference squads. Planet Rugby

With the 2017 Super Rugby going to start next month the New Zealand conference squads have been announced.

BLUES

Forwards: Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Epalahame Faiva, Charlie Faumuina, Blake Gibson, Josh Goodhue, Alex Hodgman, Akira Ioane, Jerome Kaino, Steven Luatua, Sione Mafileo, Pauliasi Manu, Matt Moulds, Brandon Nansen, James Parsons, Sam Prattley, Kara Pryor, Scott Scrafton , Murphy Taramai, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jimmy Tupou, Ofa Tu’ungafasi

Backs: Michael Collins, Matt Duffie, TJ Faiane, Billy Guyton, Rieko Ioane, Matt Vaega, George Moala, Melani Nanai, Sam Nock, Declan O’Donnell, Stephen Perofeta, Augustine Pulu, Rene Ranger, Jordon Trainor, Ihaia West, Sonny Bill Williams, Piers Francis

CHIEFS

Forwards: Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, Mitchell Graham, Kane Hames, Sefo Kautai, Nepo Laulala, Atu Moli, Hika Elliot, Nathan Harris, Liam Polwart, Michael Allardice, Dominic Bird, Brodie Retallick, James Tucker, Mitchell Brown, Lachlan Boshier, Sam Cane, Mitchell Karpik, Michael Leitch, Liam Messam, Tom Sanders, Taleni Seu

Backs: Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Finlay Christie, Brad Weber, Aaron Cruden, Stephen Donald, Damian McKenzie, Johnny Fa’auli, Anton Lienert-Brown, Tim Nanai-Williams, Charlie Ngatai, Solomon Alaimalo, Glen Fisiiahi, James Lowe, Sam McNicol, Toni Pulu, Shaun Stevenson, Chase Tiatia

CRUSADERS

Forwards: Michael Alaalatoa, Wyatt Crockett, Oliver Jager, Joe Moody, Tim Perry, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Andrew Makalio, Codie Taylor, Scott Barrett, Luke Romano, Quinten Strange, Sam Whitelock (c), Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Jed Brown, Mitchell Dunshea, Kieran Read, Pete Samu, Jordan Taufua, Matt Todd

Backs: Mitchell Drummond, Leon Fukofuka, Bryn Hall, Tim Bateman, Marty McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Seta Tamanivalu, Sean Wainui, George Bridge, Israel Dagg, Sione Fifita, Mitchell Hunt, Digby Ioane, Jone Macilai, Manasa Mataele

HIGHLANDERS

Forwards: Liam Coltman, Ash Dixon, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Siosuia Halanukonuka, Guy Millar, Siate Tokolahi, Aki Seiuli, Craig Millar, Tom Franklin, Joe Wheeler, Alex Ainley, Josh Dickson, Jackson Hemopo, Luke Whitelock, Liam Squire, James Lentjes, Gareth Evans, Dan Pryor, Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon

Backs: Aaron Smith, Kayne Hammington, Josh Renton, Lima Sopoaga, Hayden Parker, Fletcher Smith, Rob Thompson, Patelesio Tomkinson, Teihorangi Walden, Richard Buckman, Matt Faddes, Waisake Naholo, Malakai Fekitoa, Patrick Osborne, Tevita Li, Jason Emery, Ben Smith

HURRICANES

Forwards: Chris Eves, Reggie Goodes, Ben May, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Loni Uhila, Mike Kainga, Dane Coles, Leni Apisai, Ricky Ricciteli, Mark Abbott, James Broadhurst, Geoff Cridge, Michael Fatialofa, Sam Lousi, Callum Gibbins, Vaea Fifita, Reed Prinsep, Hugh Renton, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Blade Thomson, Toa Halafihi

Backs: TJ Perenara, Te Toiria Tahuiorangi, Kylem O’Donnell, Beauden Barrett, Otere Black, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Matt Proctor, Pita Ahki, Wes Goosen, Cory Jane, Julian Savea, Ben Lam, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Jordie Barrett

 Blues will surprise a few teams  just look at that back line. 

Hurricanes looking ominously strong again.

 ...JW, How many times have we said the Blues will be good this year and they come to nothing...too laid back i think ...plenty of talent in that backline though and especially now they have poached All Blacks Pulu and SBW off the Chiefs they have great potential..

Think the Blues will continue to underperform until they get a quality 1st 5.

 ...Injuries usually sink the Blues...their centres are their greatest attacking weopens Moala , Ranger and SBW but all injury prone...the one to watch is Augustine Pulu at halfback i'm picking...and Ihaia West kicking percentages one of the best in NZ if he does'nt contribute much else...

 Brycy, well the team looks good enough to give Cloudy some hope

 ...JW on paper you might think they have the potential to beat almost anyone with that backline.... i was just looking at how the NZ and OZ betting agencies have ranked them... at about 10th so it will be interesting to see how accurate that prediction turns out to be... NZ                                                           OZ
Canes                                                      CanesChiefs                                                      ChiefsCrusaders                                                CrusadersHighlanders                                             HighlandersLions                                                       LionsBrumbies                                                 StormersStormers                                                 BrumbiesSharks                                                     SharksWarratahs                                                WarratahsBlues                                                       BluesBulls                                                        JaguarsJaguars                                                    BullsReds                                                        RedsCheetahs                                                  CheetahsRebels                                                      RebelsForce                                                        ForceSunwolves                                                 SunwolvesKings                                                        Kings

 Amazing how close the NZ and OZ betting agencies are in terms of their assessment. 
A big problem all kiwi teams have is they are playing each other and all kiwi teams are good, we don't have a Sunwolves of a Kings type team. I'll be happy to see the Blues knock off the likes of Beeno's stormers or any of the Ozzie teams. I don't think any team can take the Blues for granted.

The SBW and Lone Ranger midfield combination should be interesting. 

 ...yea the more you analyse the team the more dangerous the Blues look and how about those Iaone brothers, REiko amazingly still only 19 ...Akira Iaone 21...still in their nappies,...  

 Yup I look forwards to seeing the SBW-Ioane combo ,and one expects the Blues to at least be a contender yhis year [ for Cloudys sake if anything !].How are the wee Sharks looking this year Mr Sharkbok ? Are there any new talents worth looking out for and maybe worth a punt in the FF ?