New Zealand Super Rugby Squads named for 2015

Blues:

Necessity has forced Sir John Kirwan to name a young squad, with just 4 incumbent All Blacks. No place for veteran flanker Daniel Braid though.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/7886453/Auckland-rookie-gets-Blues-Super-call-up
Backs: Outside backs: Frank Halai, Waisake Naholo, Charles Piutau, Rene Ranger, Marty McKenzie. Centres: Malakai Fekitoa, George Moala, Francis Saili, Jackson Willison. First-fives: Baden Kerr, Chris Noakes. Halfbacks: Bryn Hall, Piri Weepu, Jamison Gibson-Park.

Forwards: Flankers: Kane Barrett, Luke Braid, Steven Luatua, Brendon O'Connor, Ronald Raaymakers, Peter Saili. Locks: Anthony Boric, Liaki Moli, Culum Retallick, Ali Williams. Props: Charlie Faumuina, Tom McCartney, Tim Perry, Angus Ta'avao, Ofa Tu'ungafasi. Hookers: Keven Mealamu, Quentin MacDonald, James Parsons


Chiefs:
An interesting move by Dave Rennie, signing Ross Filipo from Wasps.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/7884754/Chiefs-recruit-former-All-Black-Ross-Filipo
Forwards:
Ben Afeaki, Sam Cane, Craig Clarke, Nick Crosswell, Hikawera Elliot, Ross Filipo, Mike Fitzgerald, Romana Graham, Josh Hohneck, Tanerau Latimer, Fritz Lee, Rhys Marshall, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Mahonri Schwalger, Toby Smith, Solomona Sakalia, Ben Tameifuna

Backs:
Bundee Aki, Gareth Anscombe, Aaron Cruden, Andrew Horrell, Richard Kahui, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Brendon Leonard, Lelia Masaga, Tim Nanai-Williams, Charlie Ngatai, Patrick Osborne, Augustine Pulu, Robbie Robinson, Asaeli Tikoirotuma


Crusaders:
9 new faces for the Crusaders. With McCaw missing most of the season Tasman's new Maori All Black Shane Christie has been called up as openside cover for Matt Todd.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10844099
Forwards: Dominic Bird, Shane Christie, Wyatt Crockett, Tom Donnelly, Corey Flynn, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Nepo Laulala, Richie McCaw, Joe Moody, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Jordan Taufua, Codie Taylor, Matt Todd, Jimmy Tupou, George Whitelock, Luke Whitelock, Sam Whitelock.

Backs: Tyler Bleyendaal, Dan Carter, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis, Robbie Fruean, Zac Guildford, Willi Heinz, Tom Marshall, Johnny McNicholl, Jeremy Su'a, Tom Taylor, Adam Whitelock.



Highlanders:
Lots of ABs in the southerners' squad! And a Japanese halfback.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/7887763/All-Black-laden-Highlanders-squad-named
Forwards:
Josh Bekhuis, Tim Boys, Liam Coltman, Elliot Dixon, Ma'afu Fia, John Hardie, Jarrad Hoeata, Andrew Hore, Chris King, Jamie Mackintosh, Nasi Manu, Brayden Mitchell, Jake Paringatai, Brad Thorn, Joe Wheeler, Tony Woodcock.

Backs
Phil Burleigh, Tamati Ellison, Jason Emery, Hosea Gear, Ma'a Nonu, Declan O'Donnell, Kade Poki, Hayden Parker, Buxton Popoalii, Colin Slade, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Lima Sopoaga, Fumiaki Tanaka, Shaun Treeby.


Hurricanes:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/7887822/Tongan-surprise-included-in-Hurricanes-squad
Backs: Outside backs: Cory Jane, James Marshall, Julian Savea, Andrew Taylor, Matt Proctor. Midfield backs: Tim Bateman, Rey Lee-Lo, Alapati Leuia, Conrad Smith. First-fives: Beauden Barrett, Tuis Pisi. Halfbacks: Samisoni Fisilau, TJ Perenara, Chris Smylie.

Forwards: Flankers: Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, Karl Lowe, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Blade Thomson, Victor Vito. Locks: James Broadhurst, Jason Eaton, Mark Reddish, Jeremy Thrush. Props: Ben Franks, Reggie Goodes, Ben May, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Eric Sione. Hookers: Dane Coles, Motu Matu'u.

"with just 4 incumbent..."
Does incumbent mean they played in the last test?

Cos it seems to me that the AIGs have players coming out of their ears and try a few new ones every match. There'll probably a boat load of them heading this way in November and it won't make a whit of difference to the result.

Pot Hale wrote:"with just 4 incumbent..."
Does incumbent mean they played in the last test?

Cos it seems to me that the AIGs have players coming out of their ears and try a few new ones every match. There'll probably a boat load of them heading this way in November and it won't make a whit of difference to the result.

Incumbent means going on the tour to Europe (the AIs squad includes everyone who featured in the RC anyway plus a couple of newbies)

We have to keep selecting people before the Home Nations do though

So Braid will be coming up north then? Could be a good signing for someone.

SirBurger wrote:So Braid will be coming up north then? Could be a good signing for someone.

He's after a contract somewhere, be it Europe or France. Still a handy player.

No Dane Coles?

Impossible Standards wrote:No Dane Coles?

It appears the NZ Herald list I copied and pasted missed him off the 'Canes list - fixed now. (the Herald article on the Highlanders included (legend) after Brad Thorn's name, which I suspect their proof-readers should have trimmed off. Even though it's true.

Seems players are moving around with a sudden influx to the Highlanders. Nonu, Aaron Smith, Brad Thorn, Gareth Anscombe, Kevin Mealamu, perhaps some other I have missed. Why, is this the NZRU's decision or are some franchises richer than others?

Morgannwg wrote:Seems players are moving around with a sudden influx to the Highlanders. Nonu, Aaron Smith, Brad Thorn, Gareth Anscombe, Kevin Mealamu, perhaps some other I have missed. Why, is this the NZRU's decision or are some franchises richer than others?

Franchises pretty much have similar resources. Smith made his name at the Highlanders last season (he was brought in to be Cowan's backup but quickly took over). Teams that are performing well do tend to have players trying to move there though. On occasion the NZRU will tell players to move - e.g. they made Slade move to the Highlanders so he'd get starts at 10 instead of backing up Carter

Otherwise:
Woodcock's moved not Mealamu - he's been a good 10 seasons at the Blues and may just want a change.

Anscombe was dumped by the Blues, has moved just down the road to the Chiefs

Thorn presumably just wanted a new challenge, he got his change of scenery in Japan and with Leinster, presumably the Highlanders asked him to come along.

Nonu fell out with Hammett in Wellington, and had an unhappy season at the Blues last season. With Blackadder another Hammett-style coach he only really had a couple of choices left, and he's worked with Joseph at Wellington in ITM Cup

Anscombe was dumped by the Blues,

He is a player with a lot of potential. Seems strange the Blues were happy to let him go.

Aaron Smith was playing for the Chiefs last season was he not? All 5 suddenly look stronger now though.

*EDIT; maybe he wasn't, Kerr-Barlow was there all the time. I don't ever remember seeing Smith in a Highlanders jersey though.

Looking forward to seeing this Japanese halfback in tandem with Aaron Smith. Jon Preston's gone on record saying that they're possibly the fastest passing hb's in the Super XV.

Hurricanes squad looking good. Good front row and Toomaga-Allen is an AB in waiting so there is youth and talent there. Would rather Filipo signed for his home franchise for once (what is it with him not playing for the Hurricanes?) but oh well. Could be a good year for us....

Mintie

The Japanese half back, if he's the one thats been playing for Otago in the ITM this season? he is quick but real small.

Anyway everyone Aucklands Back.

Yeah Right!
Bl**dy kiwis gone from poaching giant PIs to poaching tiny Asians. How desperate must they be.

Morgannwg wrote:Aaron Smith was playing for the Chiefs last season was he not? All 5 suddenly look stronger now though.

*EDIT; maybe he wasn't, Kerr-Barlow was there all the time. I don't ever remember seeing Smith in a Highlanders jersey though.

Aaron Smith started pretty much every game for the Highlanders and kept Jimmy Cowan on the bench.

Tawera Kerr-Barlow was the Chiefs half back.

The Blues looked by far the weakest of the bunch but that could be deceiving. Often teams which have brought in totally new squads have no pressure on them and end up performing far better than expected. Brumbies this year, Reds the year before were all expected to do badly with inexperienced squads but ended up doing well.

Think the Highlanders could be the kiwi team to beat, like the look of their squad, big hard forward pack and some great backs.