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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31 Oct 2012, 13:18 pm
SBWs is feigning his injury..SA sport has suffered enough this year, not sure they could handle one of their old buffaloes being slaughtered at the hands of a kiwi
theyve seen the Springbok suffer for twenty years of this affliction
poesklapped by kiwis..
oh. and to pre-empt any “strikes”
we’re world champions, your views as eight equal are meaningless..
31 Oct 2012, 13:18 pm
@Hurricane-95: You can change your name to Sandy now….
31 Oct 2012, 13:18 pm
@Hurricane-97:
31 Oct 2012, 13:20 pm
@trupisero-102: Bwhahahhahaha
31 Oct 2012, 13:20 pm
caba sizizinja imali le ngamathambo , kuqala aba bakuthi . bayijulile lemali ebelungwini? hayi kunzinyana
31 Oct 2012, 13:20 pm
@Sasuke-96:
did you take the day off the watch the parade?
31 Oct 2012, 13:21 pm
@Hurricane-95:
its the new edgy ranger haha.
31 Oct 2012, 13:21 pm
@gunther-106: Unfortunately not. Wish i was in Cape Town yesterday though. Looked like such a jol.
31 Oct 2012, 13:21 pm
@poppa69-101: nah, methinks SBW would be getting poesklapped. Botha is in a different league to the plonkers he’s fought until now.
31 Oct 2012, 13:22 pm
so SBW got injured against small japanese men? imagine what the white rhino would do to him …. think SBW would end up looking like “suzie” did in 1995 … (when 5 or 6 NZ rugby playing cannibals ate her – thats why they had a bit of spuitpoep)
31 Oct 2012, 13:25 pm
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-99:
With you there Bakkies.
lol Hippo or a buffalo…
31 Oct 2012, 13:25 pm
ooMbalula zizidenge nje ezithethapha zithethephaya, loluphi olutshintsho alubonayo yena yedwa umntwana wabantu . ligwala eliya
31 Oct 2012, 13:26 pm
@suffer_guy-110: He wasn’t so big in Japan.
31 Oct 2012, 13:27 pm
@trupisero-102:
You first my little flower.
@The Rangerman-107:
@suffer_guy-110:
haha
Make you wonder how none of the Boks nor Ozzies injured him but a 5 foot Asian that knows his pressure points.
31 Oct 2012, 13:27 pm
@nkqo6-112: hey, kont6 – you know this internet thing doesn’t automatically translate whatever it is you are typing?
Or are you talking to yourself?
31 Oct 2012, 13:28 pm
sunni would take one fat klap from botha.
pity he got injured by a japanese midget.
31 Oct 2012, 13:31 pm
@trupisero-115:
lol
Shhh, someone has swapped all his letters on his keyboard and he has not noticed.
31 Oct 2012, 13:33 pm
@Hurricane-117: he must be polish – I think he understands it!
31 Oct 2012, 13:40 pm
@Hurricane-117: @trupisero-118: it is a bit strange but i guess he wants to have a private conversation.
on a public blog.
what a hero.
31 Oct 2012, 13:43 pm
@trupisero-118:
lol
@The Rangerman-119:
Now Ranger, dont you think if he just changes his name to ” The nkqo6 ” … he could talk all the smack he wants and get away with it.
31 Oct 2012, 13:46 pm
@poppa69-101: equal 8th……quality. Fair and balanced as always Pops.
31 Oct 2012, 13:47 pm
@Hurricane-120: no.
you have to have an initial edge to become Edgier.
thems the rules.
31 Oct 2012, 13:47 pm
@suffer_guy-110: SBW getting a chest injury was unavoidable because of the way he lifts his arms to do the basketball pop pass, chest all exposed.
I was wondering when he was gonna get a hard hit there.
31 Oct 2012, 13:53 pm
@Skeppie-121:
Indeed.
A chip on each shoulder.
31 Oct 2012, 14:01 pm
@The Rangerman-122:
<true<
31 Oct 2012, 14:04 pm
@Skeppie-121: yep, the old calls of the bledisloe being for 8th during the years 07 to 11 must have been missed by your good self..
guess us kiwis arent allowed to make the same jokes huh ?
31 Oct 2012, 14:07 pm
let me try this
31 Oct 2012, 14:10 pm
Bedisloe, Mandela Plate, Freedom Cup. Not really important, only silver linings to winning the Super Rugby Championship (in terms of achievement).
But the Bedisloe has a big history between Oz and NZ.
Seeing as the NZ local comp is “ad sponsor name” Cup and the Ozzies have no domestic compitition worth anything. Guess is the Bedisloe is like their Currie Cup in terms of history and tradition.
31 Oct 2012, 14:24 pm
@gunther-124:
it must make rowing a canoe that much harder.
or does he take out his anger with the paddles..?..
31 Oct 2012, 14:25 pm
@The Rangerman-119: it is his democratic right to communicate in the language of his choice although that word is foreign to former apartheid lovers like you.
31 Oct 2012, 14:27 pm
@Sasuke-96: making it rain!
31 Oct 2012, 14:33 pm
@wnbb-130: ag kuk man.
how is he communicating by making posts that are understood by only a few?
you funny guy you.
31 Oct 2012, 14:35 pm
@wnbb-130: and “former apartheid lovers”?
thats just silly lad, up your game.
31 Oct 2012, 14:36 pm
anyways, i am out guys and gals.
well done again to wp (now farkoff lol).
have a good weekend crackers!
31 Oct 2012, 14:38 pm
@poppa69-126: You’re like a schoolyard bully that gets caught and goes, “No fair no fair! He did it as well!”
Either grow up, admit that you’re nothing but a troll, or fck off?
Seriously now.
31 Oct 2012, 14:39 pm
@The Rangerman-132: at least a few understand his posts.the same cant be said of yours.
31 Oct 2012, 14:41 pm
Cheers ranger.Drop the ‘The’ because you are still nothing but a p ussy .
31 Oct 2012, 14:46 pm
@goodstuff-123: did you see the tackle?
31 Oct 2012, 14:49 pm
@Transformation-138: No. But funny enough, it’s actually a shoulder injury/ pectoral injury.
31 Oct 2012, 14:58 pm
@goodstuff-139: so your speculation is baseless…meaning your conclusion is hogwash…you were “wondering”…
31 Oct 2012, 15:04 pm
After that long, demanding, scary drive down the I-95, I have had an equally long, needed, deep sleep – 12 hours man ,12 hours. And the Florida sun beats down warmingly on the skin and will reach 83 degrees F today.
Worse still I have TIME, lots of TIME to do battle with all the ‘glorifellators’ of the Republic of ‘Apartheid’ , but they seem to be thin on the ground this day. Is it because they now know that I have time for a few days to deal with their deceiving, deceitful miscreant acts of neo-racism?
I await your feeble battle, ‘brokebeks’ and that includes that English, big ‘kekkelbek’ of the obscene washerwomen ‘skinderbekkies’-tribe, the one and only DAVID.
Rise to the call you ‘warriors of apartheid’.
31 Oct 2012, 15:12 pm
@The Angerman-133:
Are you but one of the Head Indunas of those “apartheid lovers”?
See how easy it is to placate you, oh wonderful one of “epitaphs” for adjectives(such a simple word and notion)?
Yes, I do believe you belong to, and in, a graveyard.
31 Oct 2012, 15:14 pm
@ET.-141: Don’t take this the wrong way, but no one gives a teeny weeny little fck.
31 Oct 2012, 15:16 pm
Have you dumb, non-thinkers ever considered what it means for you and your planet , Earth, if other planets like Mars or Venus or Mercury or others once supported life?
Problem is you barely think to the tip of your nose.
31 Oct 2012, 15:17 pm
Seems like Heyneke going to get Marcos Wentzel into the squad as player 32 ….
31 Oct 2012, 15:19 pm
@Transformation-140: Mmmmmm, you got a hard on for SBW?
I just stated that it is obvious with his unorthodox style of playing rugby (exposing his chest to give the pop pass/ basketball pass at the tackle point) will make him more vulnerable to that type of injury you chop!
I talk as someone that has actually played rugby and know that a shoulder to an exposed chest can be bloody painfull. So why don’t you go look at his topless pics and get excited, cheerleader.
31 Oct 2012, 15:19 pm
@ET.-144: Well no… You see most of us use our noses to smell, not to, as in your case, sample our own farts.
31 Oct 2012, 15:21 pm
@ET.-144: Don’t take this the wrong way, but no one gives a teeny weeny little fck.
31 Oct 2012, 15:22 pm
@ET.-144: Wow, did you hit your head or are you just on funny pills? Because you sound like a nonsensical ****** spitting dribble and making a mess on the floor.
31 Oct 2012, 15:24 pm
@katman-143:
So once again you indulge in a weak, cowardly, pathetic cop out instead of manfully defending your ignoble, reviled heritage and history?
Nothing about you and even your ‘Vaalie’ rugby boertjies’ has changed then as you struggle to maintain your hold on S.A. having already given up on one of your ‘Boer republics? Why else did you run from Gauteng if not because it is too black?
You are unfortunately a non-contest.
Bye ‘boertjie’
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