NZ Super Rugby Squads named..

Chiefs looking good there JW....favourites at the TAB as well..

CHIEFS: Michael Allardice, Johan Bardoul, Dominic Bird, Sam Cane, Aaron Cruden, Stephen Donald, 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, Latu Vaeno, Sam Vaka, Maama Vaipulu, Brad Weber and Sonny Bill Williams.

HIGHLANDERS:
(Forwards) 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.
(Backs) 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:
Mark Abbott (Hawke's Bay), Pita Ahki (North Harbour)*, Leni Apisai (Wellington), Vince Aso (Auckland), Beauden Barrett (Taranaki), Otere Black (Manawatu), James Broadhurst (Taranaki), Dane Coles (Wellington), Geoffrey Cridge (Hawke's Bay), Chris Eves (Manawatu), Michael Fatialofa (Auckland)*, Vaea Fifita (Wellington), Callum Gibbins (Manawatu), Jamison Gibson-Park (Taranaki)*, Reggie Goodes (Wellington), Willis Halaholo (Southland), Iopu Iopu-Aso (Taranaki), Cory Jane (Wellington), Tony Lamborn (Hawke's Bay)*, Ngani Laumape (Manawatu)*, Christian Lloyd (Wellington), James Marshall (Taranaki), Motu Matu'u (Wellington), Ben May (Wellington), Nehe Milner-Skudder (Manawatu), TJ Perenara (Wellington), Matt Proctor (Wellington), Hugh Renton (Hawke's Bay), Hisa Sasagi (Otago)*, Ardie Savea (Wellington), Julian Savea (Wellington), Brad Shields (Wellington), Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Taranaki)*, Blade Thomson (Taranaki), Jeffery To'omaga-Allen (Wellington), Loni Uhila (Waikato)*, TJ Va'a (Wellington)*, Victor Vito (Wellington), Jason Woodward (Wellington).

BLUES:
Forwards
James Parsons (North Harbour), Matt Moulds (Northland), Quentin MacDonald (Tasman), Nic Mayhew (North Harbour), Sam Prattley (Auckland), Charlie Faumuina (Auckland), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Auckland), Sione Mafileo (North Harbour), Namatahi Waa (Northland), Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland), Gerrard Tuioti-Mariner (North Harbour), Hoani Matenga (Wellington), Josh Bekhuis (Southland), Scott Scrafton (Auckland), Jerome Kaino (Auckland), Blake Gibson (Auckland), Kara Pryor (Northland), Jack Ram (Northland), Steven Luatua (Auckland), Akira Ioane (Auckland), Joe Edwards (Auckland).
Backs
Bryn Hall (North Harbour), Sam Nock (Northland), Billy Guyton (Tasman), Ihaia West (Hawkes Bay) Matt McGahan (North Harbour), Dan Bowden (Northland), Piers Francis (Counties Manukau), George Moala (Auckland), Rene Ranger (North Harbour), Rieko Ioane (Auckland), TJ Faiane (Auckland), Michael Little (North Harbour), Tevita Li (North Harbour), Ben Lam (Auckland), Melani Nanai (Auckland), Lolagi Visinia (Auckland), Matt Duffie (North Harbour), Jordan Trainor (Waikato).

CRUSADERS:
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 (Medical Exemption), Jed Brown (Medical Exemption), Jack Goodhue (Medical Exemption), Israel Dagg (Medical Exemption), Leon Fukofuka (WTG), Mitchell Dunshea (WTG)

 ...the rain puddle team should be fine JW ,,they have some v easy games against teams like..um Japan...

Option 2996

Outright Winner

 ...Bean Brain don't worry about the Mighty Chiefs...they'll be primed and ready to kick yr yarpy butt...our forwards are looking pretty good actually tho seeing you asked..

..im sure yr familiar with loose forward Michael Leitch, the captain of the Japanese team, also part Fijian and I told ya to watch out for the Fijians mate but you wouldn't listen..

...then there's the worlds best lock AB and 2014 IRB player of the year Brodie Retallick and tackling machine fellow AB Sam Cane..

.. also joining our loosies is a very promising young player in Mitch Karpik from the New Zealand U20's 2015 IRB Junior World Cup winning team who has been a stand out for Auckland in the ITM Cup...definitely a player to watch...

...coach Rennie has bought well in the off season as well, poaching Dominic Bird and Nepo Laulala from the Crusaders adding some real starch to our forward pack..

...we also have from the Chiefs development squad, the captain of the 2015 world champion New Zealand U20's team Atu Moli coming in at prop on a two yr deal.. 

...then there's Paulisi Manu who' s currently in London with the ABs as cover for Crockett...

Hookers Nathan Harris and Hika Elliot also in the wider AB training squad...

...plenty to be happy about in our forward dept so really looking forward to 2016...

why don't you ask me about our backs?...

The Blues 2016 Super Rugby squad:

Forwards:

Hookers: James Parsons (North Harbour), Matt Moulds (Northland), Quentin MacDonald (Tasman)

Props: Nic Mayhew (North Harbour), Sam Prattley (Auckland), Charlie Faumuina (Auckland), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Auckland), Sione Mafileo (North Harbour), Namatahi Waa (Northland).

Locks: Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland), Gerrard Tuioti-Mariner (North Harbour), Hoani Matenga (Wellington), Josh Bekhuis (Southland), Scott Scrafton (Auckland).

Loose forwards: Jerome Kaino (Auckland), Blake Gibson (Auckland), Kara Pryor (Northland), Jack Ram (Northland), Steven Luatua (Auckland), Akira Ioane (Auckland), Joe Edwards (Auckland).

Backs

Scrum-halves: Bryn Hall (North Harbour), Sam Nock (Northland), Billy Guyton (Tasman).

Inside backs: Ihaia West (Hawkes Bay) Matt McGahan (North Harbour), Dan Bowden (Northland), Piers Francis (Counties Manukau).

Midfield: George Moala (Auckland), Rene Ranger (North Harbour), Rieko Ioane (Auckland), TJ Faiane (Auckland), Michael Little (North Harbour).

Outside backs: Tevita Li (North Harbour), Ben Lam (Auckland), Melani Nanai (Auckland), Lolagi Visinia (Auckland), Matt Duffie (North Harbour), Jordan Trainor (Waikato).

They are going to face the same problems they had last year. They didn't fix or try to fix any of them.

Their front row is quite average and the most important one, they don't have a quality organizer, an acceptable flyhalf. If Rene Ranger can regain his previous-depart form he could mitigate this last deficiency and form a fearsome center-pair alongside Moala, probably the best in the tournament.

they have some good prospects outside in Li, Lam, nanai and Visinia but they are going to miss piutau and his experience out there.

The other noted players, appart from the AB faumuina, Tuipulotu, Kaino and Luatua, will be the loosies Akira Ioane and Blake Gibson both U20 World champs. we could see last year some of Ioane's abilities that he has confirmed this ITM cup season.

HIGHLANDERS 2016 SQUAD: 

FORWARDS:

-Hookers: Liam Coltman, Ash Dixon, 

-Props: Brendon Edmonds, Ross Geldenhuys, Siosiua Halanukonuka, Josh Hohneck, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Craig Millar, Greg Pleasants-Tate

-Locks: Alex Ainley, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Mark Reddish, Joe Wheeler

-Loosies: Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon, Gareth Evans, James Lentjes, Dan Pryor, Liam Squire, Luke Whitelock.

BACKS:

-Scrummies: Josh Renton, Aaron Smith, Fumiaki Tanaka,

-Flyhalves: Marty Banks, Hayden Parker, Lima Sopoaga

-Centers: Richard Buckman, Jason Emery, Malakai Fekitoa, Rob Thompson, Patelesio Tomkinson,

-Outside Backs: Matt Faddes, Waisake Naholo, Patrick Osborne, Ben Smith, Ryan Tongia and Teihorangi Walden

seems that there are too many props and few hookers but,..... more or less is what they had in the front row last year,...... except the missing Kane Hanes who had a quite good season and surprisely is not there

The rest of the forward pack is almost the same but for the loss of Nasi Manu, a very good club player,... but his place is well covered with the signings of Liam Squire and Luke Whitelock.

The backline,..... what can be said about the landers' backline,.... it remain the best in the comp. (at least in the paper) with:

9. A. Smith    10. L. Sopoaga

12. R. Buckman   13. M. Feikitoa

11. W. Naholo   14. P. Osborne   15. B. Smith

with some good recruitments, as R. Thompson the most try-scorer in the recent ITM, or good prospects as Tongia.

Hurricanes 2016 Super Rugby squad:

Forwards

-Hookers: Leni Apisa, Dane Coles, Motu Matu’u

-Props. Chris Eve, Reggie Goodes, Ben May, Hisa Sasag, Jeffery To’omaga-Allen,  Loni Uhila

-Locks: Mark Abbott, James Broadhurs, Geoffrey Cridge, Michael Fatialofa, Christian Lloyd

-Loossies. Vaea Fifita, Callum Gibbins, Iopu Iopu-Aso, Tony Lambor,Hugh Rento, Ardie Savea,  Brad Shield, Blade Thomson,  Victor Vito

Backs

-Scrummies: Jamison Gibson-Park, TJ Perenara, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi

-Flyhalves: Beauden Barrett, Otere Black, TJ Va’a ,

-Centers: Pita Ahki,  Vince Aso, Willis Halaholo, Ngani Laumape

-Outside Backs: Cory Jane, James Marshall, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Matt Proctor, Julian Savea, Jason Woodward.

One of the NZ teams with more casualties, some of them very important, B. Franks, J. Thrush, M. Nonu, C. Smith.

Unlike the missings at the forward pack, those of Nonu and C. Smith are going to be very dificult to get over. Their replacements are quite inexperienced.

The backrow is impressive in terms of quality (Fifita, Gibbins, Savea, Shields, Thompson, Vito) but also in terms of numbers, 9 loosies (may be a little bit excesive?)

Crusaders 2016 Super Rugby squad:

Forwards:

-Hookers: Ben Funnell, Codie Taylor, Ged Robinson. Same as last year, a very good combination with the new AB, C. Taylor and Funnell.

-Props: Wyatt Crockett, Joe Moody, Alex Hodgman, Owen Franks, Michael Alaalatoa.

They left another AB, Laulala, leaving (or the Chiefs poached him as they always do seeing their lack of growing players). The new one, Alaalatoa is a promising big tighthead, 136 kg.

Still one of the strongest front row in the comp

-Locks: Scott Barrett, Jimmy Tupou, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano.

Bird left (or was poached by the chiefs) but S. Barret is a better player IMO, a pity his season-long injury last year.

Anyway, better with both of them. Bird and his height will be missed in lineouts. Appart from Whitelock the others don't reach the 2 m.

-Loossies: Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Tim Boys*, Jordan Taufua, Pete Samu*,

Tim Boys???? really? WTF is this s*cking coach team thinking?

Except Read all the other loossies are of the same mould, small and around the 100 kg who can play both sides of the scrum, open and blindside. It's a very badly balanced backrow. And unlike Samu who is a very promising young, Boys is a 31 years old who has been playing for many years for the landers and done nothing special.

And they left going L. Whitelock (landers, the other serial poachers as they are not able to grow their own players) and T. Sanders (chiefs, where else?) who are more nº8 and blindside players. Sanders is a very good prospect, strong carrying the ball.

Backs:

-Scrummies: Mitchell Drummond, Andy Ellis.

-Flyhalves: Marty McKenzie*, Richie Mo'unga*, Ben Volavola*

This is going to be hard. Loosing Carter, Slade and Taylor at the same time is something any team would have noticed very hardly.

Anyway, Mo'unga showed some very promising abilities in the recent ITM cup while Volavola did the same with Fiji.

- Centers: Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Kieron Fonotia, David Havili.

Same as last year, with the incognita of Fruean who spent last season sidelined. Hope Goodhue is fit soon, he's an excellent prospect, U20 world champ and pointing very good manners.

- Outside Backs: Mitchell Hunt*, Sean Wainui*, Johnny McNicholl, Sione Fifita*, Jone Macilai, Nemani Nadolo.

With Dagg out for the beginning of the season coz injury and Nadolo coz his japanese comitment, this is going to be a very problematic area reflecting the poor management the saders have had in the last years.

They left leaving players like Patrick Osborne (Canterbury, to the landers) or James Lowe (Tasman, to the chiefs) and now they have to sign unknown youngs.

At the same time they retained McNicholl, a liability in defense and who's not able to translate to SR level his attacking abilities at domestic level.

Who's going to play there? who knows,.... but all points to a disaster.

Medical List: Tim Perry, Jed Brown, Jack Goodhue, Israel Dagg

 ...Nice breakdown there AB,..the Canes for me give good value in the forwards from a fantasy rugby point of view not to mention NMS and Jules...on average they scored the highest points this year I think

..Chiefs rotational policy makes them problematic when faced with a finite amount of subs you can make..

...but on paper the Landers and Canes are looking v dangerous along with the Chiefs there you have the best teams in the comp hands down..

...Blues and Crusties are also looking okay as well...Blues with a new coach Tana could realistically do some damage - with Ihaia West settled in at standoff with the best kicking percentages in the game, Moala one of the best centres in NZ teamed up with Ranger making their centre even more formidable, Kaino, Iaone two of the best loosies you could have, Tuipolatu always good value and a host of other exciting backs - the Blues have the bones of a good side...

Crusties should do okay given their champion ITM status and Super rugby history...traditionally slow starters which cost them this year and not sure if the players leaving like DC and McCaw will have that greater affect given they were often rested for the RWC...all they have to do is give the ball to Nadolo  and say no more - the Fijian on the other wing Jone Macalai is no slouch either...

...fellow flying Fijian Volavola is also an exciting new prospect for them at standoff..i would'nt write the Mainlanders off just yet..

...speaking of Mainlanders, the Highlanders like you say AB are pretty much the same team that won the comp last year so they are the team to beat - not sure why they aren't favourites at the TAB ??...something to do with Aaron Cruden being back I imagine..