Super Rugby Squads for 2011 (New Zealand)

[northharbour]

So I have just been at Eden Park to listen to the Super Rugby squad naming.

So they are as follows:

Blues:

John Afoa
Anthony Boric
Daniel Braid
Luke Braid
Stephen Brett
Ash Dixon
Charlie Faumuina
Kurtis Haiu
Jerome Kaino
Chris Lowrey
Mattew Luamanu
Tevita Mailau
Alby Mathewson
Luke McAlister
Tom McCartney
Kevin Mealamu
Brad Mika
Liaki Moli
Toby Morland
Lachie Munro
Filo Paulo
Jared Payne
Rene Ranger
Jo Rokocoko
Peter Saili
Chris Smylie
Benson Stanley
Winston Stanley
Sherwin Stowers
Isaia Toeava
Ali Williams
Tony Woodcock

Chiefs:

Ben Afeaki
Colin Bourke
Craig Clarke
Mike Delany
Aled De Malmanche
Stephen Donald
Hika Elliot
Romana Graham
Richard Kahui
Tawera Kerr-Barlow
Tanerau Latimer
Fritz Lee
Brendon Leonard
Lelia Masaga
Ben May
Liam Messam
Taniela Moa
Mils Muliaina
Tim Nanai-Williams
Dan Perrin
Culum Retallick
Isaac Ross
Sitivini Sivivatu
Toby Smith
Dwayne Sweeney
Sona Taumalolo
Save Tokula
Hayden Triggs
Tana Umaga
Scott Waldrom
Nathan White
Jackson Willison

Hurricanes:

Michael Bent
James Broadhurst
Dane Coles
Laurence Corlett
Aaron Cruden
Chris Eaton
Jason Eaton
Jacob Ellison
Bryn Evans
Hosea Gear
Andrew Hore
Cory Jane
Tyson Keats
Daniel Kirkpatrick
Jack Lam
Alipati Leiua
Laifili Levave
Serge Lilo
Karl Lowe
Charlie Ngatai
Ma'a Nonu
Anthony Perenise
Mark Reddish
Julian Savea
John Schwalger
Conrad Smith
Rodney So'oialo
Andre Taylor
Jeremy Thrush
Neemia Tialata
Victor Vito
Piri Weepu

Crusaders:

Nicholas Barrett
Matt Berquist
Tyler Bleyendaal
Dan Carter
Wyatt Crockett
Ryan Crotty
Israel Dagg
Andy Ellis
Corey Flynn
Kahn Fotuali'i
Ben Franks
Owen Franks
Robbie Fruean
Zac Guildford
David Hall
Willi Heinz
Chris Jack
Quentin Macdonald
Sean Maitland
Tom Marshall
Richie McCaw
Andrew Olorenshaw
Jonathan Poff
Kieran Read
Luke Romano
Brad Thorn
Matt Todd
Joe Wheeler
Adam Whitelock
George Whitelock
Sam Whitelock
Sonny-Bill Williams

Highlanders:
Halani Aulika
Kurt Baker
Josh Bekhuis
Jimmy Cowan
Nick Crosswell
Elliot Dixon
Tom Donnelly
John Hardie
Jarrad Hoeata
Chris King
Kendrick Lynn
Jamie Macintosh
Nasi Manu
Brayden Mitchell
Bronson Murray
James Paterson
Siale Piutau
Robbie Robinson
Sean Romans
Jason Rutledge
Matt Saunders
Mahonri Schwalger
Colin Slade
Aaron Smith
Ben Smith
Alando Soakai
Lima Sopoaga
David Te Moana
Adam Thompson
Shaun Treeby
Joe Tuineau
Telusa Veainu

Captains:
Blues: Kevin Mealamu (Hooker)
Chiefs: Mils Muliaina (Fullback)
Hurricanes: Andrew Hore (Hooker)
Crusaders: Richie McCaw (Flanker)
Highlanders: Jamie Macintosh (Prop)

Coaches:
Blues: Pat Lam
Chiefs: Ian Foster
Hurricanes: Mark Hammett
Crusaders: Todd Blackader
Highlanders: Jamie Poseph

 

[Muzzy]

Brad Mika picked straight back into the blues??? chris smylie picked ahead of ryan cain and luke hamilton??? no malakai ravulo or waqaniburotu?? no gareth anscombe??? awwww maaaaaan

 

[ranger]

The Hurricanes look like **** to put it kindly.

 

[nickdnz]

The Hurricanes look like **** to put it kindly.

Why no Beauden Barrett?! For anyone? Why the hell did the Canes regisn Daniel Kirkpartick over him! Ugh.

 

[Larksea]

Why no Beauden Barrett?! For anyone? Why the hell did the Canes regisn Daniel Kirkpartick over him! Ugh.

I agree that kid is impressive, maybe just a bit too young for super rugby. Surely that's the only reason he's not been signed.

lots of new tallent about, players from the junior world cup winning teams from the last few years filtering through.

 

[Jansi_555]

Is that Tana Umaga a Tana Umaga or the Tana Umaga?

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

The Tana Umaga

 

[SnapperNZ]

I agree that kid is impressive, maybe just a bit too young for super rugby. Surely that's the only reason he's not been signed.

Talented fella but a bit too young and too slim, needs to pack some muscle but if looked after properly can develop into a top player. Same with Anscombe from Auckland. Only gripe is that Blues don`t have a great track record in retaining talent

 

[ranger]

Talented fella but a bit too young and too slim, needs to pack some muscle but if looked after properly can develop into a top player. Same with Anscombe from Auckland. Only gripe is that Blues don`t have a great track record in retaining talent

I'd rather take a good player that is too young for Super rugby than an old player that is straight up too **** for Super rugby. Anscome and Barrett are infinitely better than Kirkpatrick. If Sopaga is old enough than so are they

 

[nickdnz]

I'd rather take a good player that is too young for Super rugby than an old player that is straight up too **** for Super rugby. Anscome and Barrett are infinitely better than Kirkpatrick. If Sopaga is old enough than so are they

Exactly, considering how many of the U21 squad has been signed, it seems odd that two of the most promising and most needed players, have been left out.

The Hurricanes have won the race to sign exciting young Taranaki playmaker Beauden Barrett who will be named in their wider training group next week.

Barrett had been hot property for the 2011 Super 15 season after a breakout year for the Amber and Blacks where he displaced former Hurricane and Western Force-bound first-five eighths Willie Ripia by season's end.

The 19-year-old was offered a Blues contract but it seems his father, 167-game 'Naki veteran Kevin, and Taranaki coach Colin Cooper, who last year stepped down after an eight-year tenure at the 'Canes, were pivotal in Barrett's decision to stay local.

Manawatu pivot Aaron Cruden – dropped for the All Blacks end of year tour – and largely unproven Hawke's Bay five-eight Daniel Kirkpatrick will be the two frontline No.10s, but incoming coach Mark Hammett said he would have no qualms throwing young Barrett in the mix.

"If Aaron or Dan fall over then Beauden can come straight in," Hammett said.

It's understood the Blues offered Barrett a full-time deal rather than a fringe place.

Hurricanes backs coach Alama Ieremia paid the Francis Douglas College product a mid-season visit to lay the cards on the table, which proved decisive.

"The Blues were chasing him very hard," Hammett agreed. "Coops has been really good and Beauden's dad was instrumental. They worked really hard.

"He's a very, very talented player. I thought Beauden made a really good decision around his development, thinking long term rather than short term, now it's for us to give him the experience."

Another young-gun joining Barrett in the wider training group will be Mana College Year 13 TJ Perenara, who fills the third halfback role after debuting late in Wellington's second-placed ITM Cup campaign.

Taranaki distributors Tyson Keats and Chris Eaton are the Andrew Hore-led Hurricanes' other No.9s, while Piri Weepu could play either first-five or halfback when he returns from injury in April.

"He's [Perenara] a young bloke we saw play the last few games of the ITM Cup. For a young bloke he's as good as anyone," Hammett added.

"We're very excited to have those guys, in fact, we've got a very strong wider training group as you'll see when it comes out officially."

Hammett was confident of covering Karl Lowe's absence by securing Serge Lilo and Waikato openside flanker Jack Lam, chosen over Southland's Tim Boys.

"We've had to look to another loose forward with Karl injured," the coach said. "Our first choice would have been to get another midfield back but circumstances had to change."

Losing Wellington's first-five Lima Sopoaga to the Highlanders was a disappointment but you could not protect everyone, Hammett said.

As forwards coach, Hammett's toughest challenge would be getting the most out of what has traditionally been an underperforming forward pack. The 2011 squad features five props and five locks.

"I want this group to be uncompromising. I want them to be bloody consistent all year," he said determinedly.

"From a tight-five perspective, there's experience, there's height, there's a bit of mongrel, but that needs to come with discipline. I'll be putting it on them. I want them to work bloody hard."

Hurricanes:
Michael Bent, James Broadhurst, Dane Coles, Laurence Corlett, Aaron Cruden, Chris Eaton, Jason Eaton, Jacob Ellison, Bryn Evans, Hosea Gear, Andrew Hore, Cory Jane, Tyson Keats, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Jack Lam, Alipati Leiua, Faifili Levave, Serge Lilo, Karl Lowe, Charlie Ngatai, Ma'a Nonu, Anthony Perenise, Mark Reddish, Julian Savea, John Schwalger, Conrad Smith, Rodney So'oialo, Andre Taylor, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Victor Vito, Piri Weepu

http://www.skysport.co.nz/Default.aspx?tabid=55&cid=33753

But...what?
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[Amobokoboko]

Chiefs look good this season, hopefully they can pull thru

 

[Darwin]

Given the new contracting system, there are certainly less surprises than usual when the squads were named. Looking through the squads there are a few notable omissions - James McGoughan, Dean Budd, Ben Souness, Trent Renata & George Pisi stand out to me as players very unlucky not to be given a spot. I don't mind the fact that both Anscombe and Barrett have not been included in full squads, as I do think it's important to manage these young players carefully - personally I would have liked to have seen Sopoaga included in a wider training squad rather than a full squad as well, but by the sounds of it the only way the Highlanders could get him was by offering him a full contract.

I'm quite positive about the Highlanders squad this year. Disappointed not to see Meeuws included in the squad - not sure whether he was not available or if he just wasn't selected. Signing Te Moana is an incredibly strange selection, I can't recall him playing during the ITM Cup, and even when his is playing I don't rate him very highly. Surely they would have been better off getting someone like James McGoughan, or a younger player such as Shane Cleaver or Hamish Cochrane. Mo Schwalgher is a good acquisition as he's a quality experienced player - I'm sure it will be a good battle between him and Mitchell to backup Rutledge.

Only one major addition to the Highlanders backs (apart from the signings they had previously announced), with Piutau, selected as a midfield/wing option. I think he's a really good signing, as he's a big physical player, who along with the recalled Matt Saunders will complement the Highlanders smaller midfield players (Smith, Treeby, Lynn). The highlight of the Highlanders squad naming for me was the omission of Fetu'u Vainikolo - never thought it would happen, but am absolutely delighted he wasn't selected

 

[bobbilycious]

I'm fairly sure I read that McGougan is out till sometime in April-ish due to injury.
I would also consider Kade Poki quite unlucky not to get a spot.

 

[Darwin]

I'm fairly sure I read that McGougan is out till sometime in April-ish due to injury.
I would also consider Kade Poki quite unlucky not to get a spot.

Cheers for the info on McGoughan - it makes sense now why he wasn't included in any squad. Yeah I agree Poki was very unlucky - I wonder whether he has signed to play overseas, as he seemed certainly to be selected in the Crusaders (which apparently is why they were unable to hold onto Veainu). Interestingly the Crusaders seem to be very short on wings - they only have two specialist wings (Maitland & Guildford), so they will be relying on the likes of Fruean, Adam Whitelock, Dagg, Tom Marshall or even SBW to cover wing if either Maitland or Guildford are injured (or rested)...

 

[Muzzy]

Why no Beauden Barrett?! For anyone? Why the hell did the Canes regisn Daniel Kirkpartick over him! Ugh.

i agree with the others he's too skinny atm

but i can't believe they let Sopoaga go and signed Dan Kirkpatrick, i can't believe Sopoaga went when the Highlanders already have Colin Slade and Robbie Robinson, Cruden didn't have a good season with Hurricanes last year, he did start to get better by the end of the season though so maybe he'll be better in 2011

 

[bobbilycious]

I read quite some time ago there was speculation about Kade Poki going to the Highlanders. Fairly soon after that I thought I read that the Crusaders had signed Kade Poki for this season. If so, then maybe Tom Marshall played him out of the squad. I could be wrong, though. I guess we have to wait for the wider training squads to be announced.
Just read now that Poki was left out due to being injured and getting limited game time and they want him to re-establish himself at ITM Cup level. He is now considering moving overseas.
Blackadder has confirmed that Sam Prattley and Steve Alfeld will be in the WTS and possibly one other Tasman player (so it is possible Poki won't even maker the WTS).

 

[Dizzy]

Umaga!!!!

 

[kiwimeeky]

Poki played well for Tasman but he hasn't done anything special for the Crusaders over the last two seasons (mind you neither has Adam Whitelock and he's still there). I'm not disappointed he's not there, Zach, Izzy and Sean are all the Crusaders need and Tom Marshall will back them up well.

On Barrett and Anscombe, I think it is smart to give them another year. Sure there are first fives of a similar age at the Highlanders and Crusaders but that is their choice. To be frank I wouldn't want a franchise like the Hurricanes or Blues developing New Zealand's future first fives anyway. The Blues haven't had a decent pivot since the 2003 Carlos Spencer and the jury is still out on Cruden and the Hurricanes.
The Crusaders and Highlanders have at least had recent success with Dan Carter, Colin Slade and Nick Evans

 

[bobbilycious]

I think that Whitelock and Poki have both played well for the Crusaders. The problem is that there are better players in the team so they haven't had much opportunity to play well. I would have tried to pick up both if I was Jamie Joseph. Actually, looking at the Hurricanes squad, Mark Hammett would have done well to give them a spot, too.

 

[Larksea]

I'd like to see Adam Whitelock go to another area for more gametime. If I were jamie joseph I'd have put him pretty high on the list to target. They got Treby but he's a bit small to be the perfect solution. I think the highlanders are missing a bigger dude as an option to play in the 13 jersey.

10, Slade
12, Ben Smith
13, Adam Whitelock