Highlanders boast strong squad

Highlanders boast strong squad

31 Oct 2012

The New Zealand franchises have announced their Super Rugby squads.

The Highlanders have named 10 All Blacks in their squad, with hooker Andrew Hore taking over the captaincy from loosehead prop Jamie Mackintosh.

The Otago franchise’s highlight additions are centre Ma’a Nonu and loosehead prop Tony Woodcock from the Blues.

Flank Adam Thomson is the major omission as he has sealed a deal to play overseas next year.

Defending champions the Chiefs have gained All Blacks lock Ross Filipo, who featured on the Test scene in 2007 and 2008. Filipo once played for the Crusaders before enjoying overseas stints with Bayonne and the London Wasps.

Seven-time champions the Crusaders have announced nine newbies in their squad. They are hooker Codie Taylor, fullback Johnny McNicholl, props Joe Moody and Nepo Laulala, lock Dominic Bird, and loose forwards Shane Christie, Jordan Taufua and Jimmy Tupou.

The Christchurch franchise have also recruited Samoan Jeremy Su’a to bolster their scrumhalf ranks.

The Hurricanes look set to build on this year’s surprise campaign, having signed Tongan scrumhalf Samisoni Fisilau, Crusaders prop Ben Franks and six newbies in centre Rey Lee-Lo, flank Ardie Savea, wing Matt Proctor, prop Eric Sione, flank Blade Thomson and utility back James Marshall.

The Blues have replaced the loss of Nonu with Auckland star Malakai Fekitoa and Chiefs centre Jackson Willison. The inclusion of prop Tim Perry eases Woodcock’s departure.

BLUES

Backs - Frank Halai, Waisake Naholo, Charles Piutau, Rene Ranger, Marty McKenzie, Malakai Fekitoa, George Moala, Francis Saili, Jackson Willison, Baden Kerr, Chris Noakes. Scrumhalves: Bryn Hall, Piri Weepu, Jamison Gibson-Park.
Forwards - Kane Barrett, Luke Braid, Steven Luatua, Brendon O’Connor, Ronald Raaymakers, Peter Saili, Anthony Boric, Liaki Moli, Culum Retallick, Ali Williams, Charlie Faumuina, Tom McCartney, Tim Perry, Angus Ta’avao, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Keven Mealamu, Quentin MacDonald, James Parsons.

CHIEFS

Backs - Tim Nanai-Williams, Andrew Horrell, Robbie Robinson, Lelia Masaga, Patrick Osborne, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Bundee Aki, Richard Kahui, Charlie Ngatai, Gareth Anscombe, Aaron Cruden. Scrumhalves: Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Brendon Leonard, August Pulu.
Forwards - Fritz Lee, Sam Cane, Nick Crosswell, Ross Filipo, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Craig Clarke, Mike Fitzgerald, Romana Graham, Brodie Retallick, Ben Afeaki, Josh Hohneck, Toby Smith, Solomona Sakalia, Ben Tameifuna, Hika Elliot, Rhys Marshall, Mahonri Schwalger.

CRUSADERS

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

HIGHLANDERS

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.
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.

HURRICANES

Backs - Cory Jane, James Marshall, Julian Savea, Andrew Taylor, Matt Proctor, Tim Bateman, Rey Lee-Lo, Alapati Leuia, Conrad Smith, Beauden Barrett, Tuis Pisi, Samisoni Fisilau, TJ Perenara, Chris Smylie.
Forwards – Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, Karl Lowe, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Blade Thomson, Victor Vito, James Broadhurst, Jason Eaton, Mark Reddish, Jeremy Thrush, Ben Franks, Reggie Goodes, Ben May, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Eric Sione, Dane Coles, Motu Matu’u.


274 Comments

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  • 51.mxhosa: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 11:25 am

    @Transformation-34:

    For the good of SA rugby mabamkhulule. Andimboni edlaliswa phambi kooArno Botha, Wian Liebenburg, Shaun Addendorf okanye uJean Cook.

  • 52.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 11:26 am

    @Sasuke-49: great. loud and clear :D

    new zealand rugby and winning super rugby are the same thing :mrgreen:

  • 53.gunther: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 11:27 am

    AC,tactically, totally out thought and outgunned Plum in every aspect of mental superiority.

    That makes no sense.

    You are talking kak.

    Please go away and have another crack at it.

  • 54.Mr Black: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 11:33 am

    @Transformation-43:

    Always better for a player to play in a good team. Jantjies will have a good year and I hope that he will be well managed by Coetzee and not played to death like Coetzee loves to do with his top players.

  • 55.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 11:44 am

    @mxhosa-48: Bulls were very inconsistent this year and if you look at there Currie Cup form. Does not bode well for next year. They will be competitive but i predict another mid table finish for them. Sharks and Stormers is where its at.

  • 56.Rhys7: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 11:44 am

    15 Jaco Taute / Louis Ludik
    14 Gio Aplon / JP Pietersen
    13 Juan De Jongh / Paul Jordaan
    12 Jean de Villiers / Francois Steyn
    11 Bryan Habana / Lwazi Mvovo
    10 Elton Jantjes / Patrick Lambie
    9 Nic Groom / Charl Mcloed
    8 Duane Vermeulen / Ryan Kankowski
    7 Schalk Burger / Willem Alberts
    6 Siya Kolisi / Marcell Coetzee
    5 Andries Bekker / Franco Van Der Merwe
    4 Eben Etzebeth / Anton Bresler
    3 Patrick Cilliers / Jannie Du Plessis
    2 Tiaan Liebenberg / Bismark Du Plessis
    1 Steven Kitshoff / Tendai Mtawarira

    16 Deon Fourie / Craig Burden
    17 Francois Malherbe / Wiehan Herbst
    18 Rynhardt Elstadt / Jean Deysel
    19 Nizaam Carr / Keegan Daniel
    20 Louis Schroeder / Cobus Reinach
    21 Peter Grant / Meyer Bosman
    22 Gerhard Van Den Heever / Odwa Ndungane

    23 Scarra Ntubeni / Kyle Cooper
    24 Deon Carstens / Dale Chadwick
    25 Ruan Botha / Jandre Marais
    26 Michael Rhodes / Jaques Botes
    27 Gary Van Aswegen / Butch James
    28 JP Du Plessis / Tim Whitehead
    29 Marcel Brache / Marius Joubert
    30 Joe Pietersen / Riaan Viljoen
    31 Damien De Allende / S Sithole
    32 Don Armand / Steph Du Toit
    33 Jebb Sinclair / ????

    Who would be your pick. Both teams look strong as ever even with the loss of many key players since 2009.

    Stormers could use Francois Louw and Sharks could use Pienaar and these teams woulf be back to their best.

    Imagine Stormers have lost Mujati, Brits, Watson, J Fourie, Chavhanga, Quinn Roux, Blaauw, Januarie, Jantjes, Bobo & Engelbrecht, Sadie, Whitehead, Newman & Paul Bosch + many others and still manage to be strong.

    Sharks havent lost so much but the likes of Pienaar, Rhodes, Cilliers, Sykes, Smit, Hargreaves, Skeate, Michalak + Barrit are all players of worth to any team.

    Super rugby looks exciting especially to see how the Kings fare and the Bulls should be there or there abouts again.

  • 57.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 11:48 am

    @Transformation-52: :lol: It does not go hand in hand but obviously if a team wins the super rugby it will have a positive effect on the national team.

  • 58.Rhys7: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 11:51 am

    With squads on paper I personally think Stormers will take conference. They know how to deal with injuries and now have.play off temprement.

    Especially if you think, they have Tyrone Holmes, Kurt Coleman, De Kock Steenkamp, Willhelm Van Der Slyus and JC Kritzinger and Brok Harris to call upon if they have injuries and they all have vast experience.

  • 59.wnbb: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 11:51 am

    Don’t worry Elton,we will change your heart back to blue and white stripes.Unfortunate you WILL have to go through the extensive detoxification process to get rid of everything Lion in you.In any case,just glad that another home boy is returning to his roots.Just need JPP to do the step up as well.Now that would be just lovely.

  • 60.wp_boytjie: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 11:53 am

    @Sasuke-47: @Transformation-50:

    Don’t know much about Ruan Botha , wish they held on to Quinn Roux he played a blinder off the bench in Super 15 when we beat the Pink Bulls at Roftus. If we play a team like the Rebels at home then we could easily start with Elstadt and De Kock Steenkamp and then having a player like Armand or Rhodes at 7 ,the line-out still looks solid.

    Same goes for loose-forward , incredible depth. There should be rotation not predictable burnout

  • 61.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 11:53 am

    Sonny Bill under the knife
    Published: Wednesday, 31. October, 2012 in category Southern Hemisphere
    All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams underwent surgery for a chest injury on Wednesday, which has ended his hopes of fighting South African heavyweight Francois Botha next month.

    Related articles
    ABs to blood new captain

    Coles comes of age

    Williams, 27, who in August quit the world champion New Zealand team to take up a club contract in Japan, injured his pectoral muscle playing for the Panasonic Wild Knights on Saturday

  • 62.wnbb: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 11:59 am

    @wp_boytjie-60: Where did Quinn Roux go to?Thought he had a brilliant game against the pinkies a Moftus as well.

  • 63.gunther: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 11:59 am

    @Transformation-61:

    Poepbroek.

  • 64.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 12:00 pm

    @wp_boytjie-60: True what you saying. Hopefully he comes back next year.

    @Transformation-61: His running scared.#Phantominjury

  • 65.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 12:04 pm

    the minds!!!! jurie is such a kenner, slippery but a kenner nonetheless :D

    Mbalula praises proactive SARU
    Published: Tuesday, 30. October, 2012

    Sports minister Fikile Mbalula has commended SARU for taking the lead in fast-tracking transformation in the sport.

    “They are the first federation to have taken it upon themselves to convene a transformation indaba,” Mbalula said at the SARU Indaba in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

    “They are the first to admit there are inherently deep-seated weaknesses to realise transformation.”

    Mbalula said the country had moved at a slow pace in creating a level playing field in sport after 18 years of democracy.

    “After 20 years of unity talks, we have seen little fundamental transformation in sport in general and rugby, in terms of participation of players from historically disadvantaged communities,” he said.

    While he called on rugby leadership to ensure that all South Africans received a fair opportunity to play the sport, Mbalula said transformation should not be trivialised by merely looking at the numbers.

    “Today when national teams are selected, the question of colour becomes an issue to a point where it is vulgarised and is reduced to racism,” he said.

    “It is polarising society, to begin to question a national team on how many black people are there, how many white people are there when the national team represents South Africa as a whole.

    “What are our responsibilities as administrators and as the people who run the sport?

    “It is to ensure that full transformation is realisable. There must never, in the next 20 years, be a question about the national team.”

    Mbalula said rugby could become an even stronger global player if it utilised the larger populace.

    “Rugby should utilise its full potential by transforming and thus taking advantage of the diverse population of rugby players in South Africa,” said Mbalula.

    “If this happens there is no doubt that rugby can play an important role in nation building and fostering unity and social cohesion.”

    Gideon Sam, the president of the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) called on rugby unions and role players in the sport to make transformation a top priority.

    “Let transformation not be the poor cousin of all your programmes,” Sam said.

    “Don’t let it lie down there so that it must come back from time to time to breathe life into it.”

    Sam said it was important representatives from provincial rugby unions steered transformation to ensure an even playing field in the sport.

    SARU chief executive Jurie Roux hoped the two-day Indaba would lead to a watershed moment for rugby in South Africa.

    The transformation workshop was attended by provincial rugby union presidents and chief executives, SARU management, sports portfolio committee chairman Richard Mdakane, SASCOC and the sports ministry.

    Roux said rugby needed to approach transformation holistically and echoed Mbalula’s view that the sport needed to be grown from grassroots levels.

    He added that the first step SARU made towards tackling transformation head on was to simplify their transformation charter into an “implementation plan”.

    “We’ve gone down to something that is divided into seven dimensions which include preferential procurement, equity employment and addressing the issues of mass participation and broadening the base of rugby,” Roux said.

    “Because only if you broaden the base of rugby and only if you transform the minds of those individuals that work with our school children can we transform the sport.”

  • 66.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 12:05 pm

    @wnbb-62: leinster for a one year loan. He is suppose to come back when the European season finishes next May. We will see though, the lure of the Irish green is strong.

  • 67.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 12:07 pm

    @wnbb-62: ireland…

  • 68.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 12:08 pm

    @Sasuke-66: how good is the irish economy?

  • 69.capebull: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 12:11 pm

    @wnbb-59: Elton , Cape Town , Home Roots , what are you smoking… the Home Roots ?

  • 70.wnbb: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 12:12 pm

    @Sasuke-66: @Transformation-67: Thanks.

  • 71.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 12:20 pm

    @capebull-69: graaff reinet…

  • 72.gunther: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 12:20 pm

    @Transformation-68:

    good enough for ruan and cj stander etc. it seems.

    capo will know.

    he’s just wangled an irish passport.

  • 73.katman: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 12:27 pm

    So Johnny Bravo tweaks his titty and now he can’t box? Sounds like someone sent him a link to the Youtube clip of Fransie’s fight with Tyson.

  • 74.mxhosa: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 12:35 pm

    @sasuke-55:

    CC form has no bearing on SR… The Sharks, CC champions in 2010 and finalists in 2011 have finished no higher than 6th on the overall log in the last two SR seasons. Lions, CC champs in 2011 finished dead last.

  • 75.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 12:45 pm

    @katman-73:
    fark me, botha would have moered that poser so phukken hard.
    i actually think its for the best, nothing worse than a complete one sided mismatch.

    and who knows what this would have done to nz’s fragile psyche.

  • 76.wp_boytjie: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 12:45 pm

    @mxhosa-74:

    Agreed on that one , so many 1 or 2 test Springbok players of recent years are the one’s that have been selected on Currie cup form at the end of the year.

  • 77.gonzo: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 12:46 pm

    @Sasuke-19: Crusaders squad isn’t bad at all – Read, Dagg, Carter, and McCaw coming in at the business end of the season. I would rate them our four best ABs. Not to mention guys like Franks, Crockett, Romano, Ellis, Freuen, Guildford, and about 20 Whitelock boys. And plenty of other guys that are handy at super rugby level. In fact I would argue that it’s a stronger squad on paper than the Highlanders, let alone finals experience.

    @Transformation-61: Not looking good for SBW. He should just pack in the boxing, the league and sushi and come back to play for his home town. The Blues needs him!

  • 78.katman: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 12:47 pm

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-75: Indeed. They’re only just recovering now from Tiger dumping their caddy hall-of-famer two years ago.

  • 79.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 12:50 pm

    Hello crackheads!

  • 80.wp_boytjie: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 12:51 pm

    Would have liked to see Willie Le Roux in the Bok squad thought he was brilliant for Griquas and Cheetahs , an all-round player with vision that can kick , offload , finish and good under the high ball.

  • 81.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 12:52 pm

    Have to have a little throw up in my mouth but well done to WP on breaking their drought!

    at least i was camping with the peanut so i didnt have to suffer too badly :lol:

  • 82.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 12:56 pm

    @katman-78: They say dopping is kiwiland’s biggest health problem.

    Perhaps they should only be allowed to dop when Richie is onside.

    That’ll solve it real quick.

  • 83.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 12:57 pm

    @The Rangerman-81: Its a case of well done, now farkoff!…;)

  • 84.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 12:57 pm

    @i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-75:
    SBW has biten of more than he can chew here.
    But if he goes ahead with it, good on him….only takes 1 punch to end a fight.

  • 85.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 12:58 pm

    @katman-78:
    Dont think so, please dont make things up.

  • 86.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 12:59 pm

    @trupisero-82:
    what is?

  • 87.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 13:00 pm

    @trupisero-82: lol :lol:

  • 88.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 13:03 pm

    @Hurricane-86: drinking alcohol.

  • 89.The Rangerman: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 13:05 pm

    @trupisero-83: thats pretty much how i feel ja.

    :lol:

    anyways, i am off to mozambique in the morning with our boat for a spearfishing adventure.
    boys trip.
    fernandos
    R&R
    couta
    wahoo
    sailies
    kaakaap

    that about covers it.

  • 90.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 13:06 pm

    @The Rangerman-79: why does you nic have a “The” now?

  • 91.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 13:07 pm

    Geez WP? :D

    WP throw money at fans
    2012-10-31 11:53

    After an 11-year drought, WP beat the Sharks 25-18 in last Saturday’s final in Durban, and paraded their new silverware through the city on Tuesday.

    When the procession reached Khayelitsha, the team found their route lined by thousands of fans.

    Players, including wing Bryan Habana, nearly caused a stampede when they threw money, including R50 notes, at the crowd.

    As the money was thrown from the bus, fans jostled to get their hands on the cash. There were no reported injuries.

  • 92.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 13:08 pm

    @wp_boytjie-80: c.rap defence…

  • 93.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 13:08 pm

    @katman-78:
    nz-usa diplomatic golfing ties are only just starting to work towards a recovery from that. word is the us gov was instrumental behind the scenes in setting up the AIG sponsorship deal as a way of mending relations. :grin:

  • 94.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 13:09 pm

    @The Rangerman-89: lucky baassstard!!

    @Hurricane-86: get with it man :)

  • 95.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 13:10 pm

    @Sasuke-88:
    oh :-)

    @Transformation-90:
    Have you seen the old comedy Happy days?
    Remember fonzie….well just saying fonzie sounds weak, but say “the Fonz” has a bit more edge to it.
    I believe Rangerman is going for that same edge…. i mean The Rangerman.

  • 96.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 13:12 pm

    @Transformation-91: lol they are like Hip hop stars!

  • 97.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 13:13 pm

    @trupisero-94:
    Hang on just having a drink….. oh i get it now :-)

  • 98.katman: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 13:16 pm

    @Transformation-91: That’s beyond odd. That’s tacky.

  • 99.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 13:17 pm

    @Hurricane-84:
    hehe
    true hurri, it only takes one punch to end a fight maar daardie fransie botha is a f.okken bul van n man jong. i’ve seen him take a helluva lot of punches before going down (which is what sbw will need to do).

    no boet, he’s big game… like hippo or a buffalo.. you need heavy calibre to bring a guy like that down. i think he took klitschko and holyfield to about 8 or 9 rounds and tyson only stopped him after 5.

    look, he’s a good footballer i’ll give him that but i would say he’s taken on more than he can chew here.

  • 100.nkqo6: Reply to this comment
    31 Oct 2012, 13:18 pm

    kusazodlalwa unga nyebelezeli

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