Blues, Saders bolster squads
The New Zealand Super 14 franchises have announced their final squads for the 2010 season.
The Blues and Crusaders have made the most significant changes to their squads as they prepare for Super 14 next year.
The Blues have added to their flyhalf depth as they have signed pivot Stephen Brett, who spearheaded Canterbury to their second successive NZ Cup title, and Wellington No 10 Daniel Kirkpatrick.
Brett said he made the move to get out of ‘Dan Carter’s shadow’ as the All Blacks pivot returns to Super Rugby next season.
‘It’s about getting the game time I need to play,’ said Brett. ‘I knew Dan Carter was coming back when I signed my contract a couple of years ago, so obviously I had that buy-out clause and I’ve utilised it by going into the draft.’
Former Hurricanes’ scrumhalf Alby Mathewson and flank Serge Lilo have also signed for the Blues.
The Crusaders have received Daniel Bowden from the Blues in return for Brett. Bowden will provide cover for Carter.
Chris Jack has returned to Canterbury, after stints with Saracens and Western Province. The Crusaders now have nine All Blacks in their forwards department.
The NZ Cup champions also have in form backs Sean Maitland, Zac Guildford and Colin Slade in the squad, who will form a formidable back three.
Last year’s finalists the Chiefs have drafted loose forwards Luke Braid and Jarrad Hoeata, Manukau fullback Tim Nanai-Williams and Samoan No 9 Junior Poluleuligaga, while the Hurricanes have signed Canterbury scrumhalf Tyson Keats and Southland centre Jason Kawau.
Hawke’s Bay back Matt Berquist and Northland prop Bronson Murray are the only additions to the Highlanders’ squad.
Blues – Tony Woodcock, John Afoa, Charlie Faumuina, Tevita Mailau, Keven Mealamu, Tom McCartney, Anthony Boric, Ali Williams, Kurtis Haiu, Jerome Kaino, Peter Saili, Serge Lilo, Tom Chamberlain, Chris Lowrey, Viliame Maafu, Alby Mathewson, Chris Smylie, Stephen Brett, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Luke McAlister, Benson Stanley, Isaia Toeava, George Pisi, Rudi Wulf, Anthony Tuitavake, Joe Rokocoko, Rene Ranger, Paul Williams.
Chiefs – Nathan White, Ben Afeaki, James McGougan, Sona Taumalolo, Aled de Malmanche, Hika Elliot, Kevin O’Neill, Craig Clarke, Callum Retallick, Romana Graham, Jarrad Hoeata, Liam Messam, Tanerau Latimer, Luke Braid, Sione Lauaki, Colin Bourke, Brendon Leonard, Junior Poluleuligaga, Stephen Donald, Mike Delany, Callum Bruce, Jackson Willison, Richard Kahui, Lelia Masaga, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dwayne Sweeney, Tim Nanai-Williams, Mils Muliaina.
Hurricanes – John Schwalger, Jacob Ellison, Neemia Tialata, Anthony Perenise, Andrew Hore, Dane Coles, Jeremy Thrush, Bryn Evans, James Broadhurst, Jason Eaton, Michael Paterson, Victor Vito, Karl Lowe, Scott Waldrom, Rodney So’oialo, Nick Crosswell, Piri Weepu, Tyson Keats, Aaron Cruden, Willie Ripia, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Jason Kawau, Tamati Ellison, David Smith, Hosea Gear, Andre Taylor, Cory Jane.
Crusaders – Wyatt Crockett, Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Peter Borlase, Corey Flynn, Ti’i Paulo, Brad Thorn, Isaac Ross, Chris Jack, Sam Whitelock, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, George Whitelock, Jonathan Poff, Thomas Waldrom, Andy Ellis, Kahn Fotuali’i, Dan Carter, Daniel Bowden, Ryan Crotty, Tim Bateman, Robert Fruean, Adam Whitelock, Sean Maitland, Kade Poki, Zac Guildford, Colin Slade, Jared Payne.
Highlanders – Jamie Mackintosh, Clint Newland, Chris King, Bronson Murray, Jason Macdonald, Jason Rutledge, Josh Bekhuis, Tom Donnelly, Hayden Triggs, Joe Tuineau, Adam Thomson, Alando Soakai, John Hardie, Tim Boys, Nasi Manu, Stephen Setephano, Jimmy Cowan, Sean Romans, Matt Berquist, Michael Hobbs, Jayden Hayward, Jason Shoemark, Kendrick Lynn, James Paterson, Fetu’u Vainikolo, Ben Smith, Robbie Robinson, Israel Dagg.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:44 am
Jack the man!
November 11th, 2009 at 8:48 am
Saders looking strong as usual.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:02 am
#2 stormer in a teacup: Saders are the real champions team !
November 11th, 2009 at 9:25 am
Rene Ranger from the Blues. F*cking exciting player , 1 to watch for the future for sure.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:29 am
I must admit, the Saders side have patched their holes, and will be a real contender next year:
15 – Slade
14 – Maitland
13 – Laulala
12 – Bateman
11 – Guilford
10 – DC
9 – Ellis
8 – Waldrom
7 – Kieran Reid
6 – McCaw
5 – Jack
4 – Thorn / Ross
3 – Franks
2 – Flynn
1 – Crocket
Gee whizz, that is a hot side. Then they have a massive back up in Whitelock (x 3), Crotty, Bowden, Franks, Fruean (a real talent). The only real weakness i see is 9 – ellis and Fotuali’i are average
November 11th, 2009 at 10:32 am
#3 stew: Not in this year’s S14, they’re not.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Saders squad looks good. It will be interesting to see, how Bulls will defend their title against those guys.
Next season should be exciting, having seen interesting changes in some Aussies and SA teams.
November 11th, 2009 at 11:55 am
#7 Nils:
Intrested in seeing how the Cheetahs will do myself. They promise so much then go flat when it counts.
November 11th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Saders going to be hard to beat next year. Sharks face them on thier first away game in NZ. Going to be really tough.
November 11th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
see chiefs have kept lumpy lauaki – the stiff arm decapitator
November 11th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
The Mighty Highlanders must be short-priced favourites to take this thing in 2010.
Surely.
November 11th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
#11 WakaNathan: I wonder whether Thomson has got over the ***** slap from Rory
November 11th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
#11 WakaNathan: Howzit Waka, Think Saders are going to be tough to beat with Carter and Jack back.
Then of course Bulls not losing any players except Habs. So they will still be the favourites. Great side they got and they have a good draw too.
November 11th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
#8 Predawn: it is cause we consider the S14 to be our warm up tournament for the CC. In the same league as the Vodacom cup. A tournie to check out our emerging talent.
A joke, but i dont think far from the truth…..
November 11th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
#14 Cheetha Champs: I do think if they can keep the same team and not get many injuries the Cheetahs will do well in next years S14 – they showed real class this year in the CC
November 11th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
#13 Puma: Saders with Carter /Jack and the two hottest young wingers in NZ will be on fire next S14 – they have the Bulls number , just have to get them away from Loftus for the Semis and Final !
November 11th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
oops crusaders to kill again next year, but the sa teams also look good, bulls sharks and stormers to wave the sa flag.
I but my money on
Crusaders
Bulls
Chiefs
Stormers
The log after end of round comp?!
November 11th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
#16 stew:
i beg to differ
the bulls are the one team that has the crusaders number, we have beaten them in 2007 and 2009 semi finals
November 11th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
#17 groenie: Looks about right – the Sharks seem to be a sinking ship ! Here comes the abuse – hehe
November 11th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
#18 groenie: Yes but these are the only games the Bulls have won against the Saders – we even beat the Bulls this year with our YOUTH team
November 11th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
#12 Sharksgirl:
Thompson hasnt got any time to think about that. He’s on Tour.
Hows things, Rory ?
November 11th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
#21 WakaNathan: He hasn’t recovered sadly, his form has dipped considerably since the incident
Couldn’t help but laugh during the Tri-Nations they interviewed the ABs and they were asked who they thought was the most irritating person to play against, nearly all said Rory
November 11th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
#20 stew:
in the round games i will always back the saders against the bulls, but not in the knock out stages, the bulls always seem to play the saders away and kind of throw the game… so to speak,
there is always a game or 2 the teams target to take it easy, and if they lose its fine they concentrate on testing some partnerships and to give some players game time, the bulls have made the game against the crusasers their game to do this.
Unless we play them at loftus will be a different story!
November 11th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
#16 stew: Yes, My feeling too. Think Saders will be right back up there next year.
November 11th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
#16 stew: If Bulls get a semi and final at Loftus they will win. Almost unbeatable there now.
They have a great team but will miss Habs. Still a great team though.
November 11th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
#23 groenie: Sounds suspicious Groenie ! hehe ! Home advantage is always key – should be an awesome contest of giants next S14 but you must remember that the only time the Bulls have beaten the Saders is when the Saders are under strength – look what the Saders did to the Bulls at loftus in 2008
November 11th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
#13 Puma:
Of course, Bulls will rightly start favourites.
Crusaders did magnificently to reach Top 4 last year considering McCaw out for most of it and DC for all of it. Consider also that Deans had just left, new young coach in Blackadder, and a stadium rebuild which has kept loyal supporters away in their droves. And really they were bottom-half of the table before McCaw rejoined.
Boks were also fortunate to only face DC in 1 Test vs ABs, he sure makes a massive difference to what is otherwise quite an average team.
The Mighty Highlanders look very settled. Bowden is a big loss but Southlands Robinson could be a real find at 10, albeit still a bit rough around the edges. Otherwise it was a very young team last year, showed promise when dismantling the Bulls, and I reckon they’ll go OK this season.
Blues suddenly look dangerous again with return of Ali Williams, the signing of Brett and Mathewson, and some sensational backline talent out wide. NZ rugby always needs Auckland strong, esp leading in to a RWC.
The Canes will flatter to deceive, yet again.
Which leaves the S14 Runners-Up, the Cheifs, who can only get stronger as their lineup is settled and tweaked by addition of strong reserves in ‘Lady’ Poluleuli’GaGa (big raps on this guy at home) and, C.Bourke, and Nanai-Williams (from my Counties team). Surely youngsters like DeMalmanche, Latimar and Elliott will want to push for AB honours whilst returning stars Kahui and Masaga will complement new ABs Delany and Messam really well.
November 11th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
#22 Sharksgirl:
What will be the plan with R Pienaar next season now that we have the argie for the nr 10?
Pienaar and Rory to compete for the nr 9 ?
I would think Ruan will be chosen ahead of Rory maybe he should think of playing for a other franchise if he is to get a chance to make bok selection?
Maybe go to Bloem, they need a good scrummie.
November 11th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
#26 stew:
In 2007 the saders rested some players for the world cup, but had all their players for the semi agains the bulls, and had played for at least 4 rounds, so the bulls have beaten them at full strength and in 2008 who did not beat the bulls, we ended 10th on the log, new coach and lost our captain Matfield to Toulon…
But yes a lot to look forward to for next season, going to be great entertainment, i will be shouting for all sa teams to be doing well, even the stormers and i hate WP…
November 11th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
#28 groenie: I really think that Ruan will be our starting 9 and Rory/Charl will be competing for the Bench. I believe Hernandez will remain at 10, but who will back him should he get injured? (Hope they will not mess Ruan around again) and at 15 they will alternate between Terra and Ludick if we get him, and just maybe for the “smaller” games they may even bring Lambie off the bench. The rest will pretty much remain the same I think with Alberts, Deysel and Kanko being used on a horses basis. Imo though, I would really swap Odwa and Mvovo. I have always been a supporter of Odwa but he has become too slow now, and Mvovo is always dangerous with the ball!
November 11th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
#30 Sharksgirl: Horses basis = horses for courses basis
November 11th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
#25 Puma: You are right fortress Loftus is intimidating – went to the 2008 Saders v Bulls game at loftus nearly got lynched ! My girlfriend actually started the **** , as only women can , not very wise when surronded by rabid bulls supporters
November 11th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
one or two kiwi teams and the stormers to battle it out for the silverware!the bulls will be crushed big-time next year and as bulls hater that will be just great to see.habana to be player of the tournament!
November 11th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
#32 stew: Never been there Stew but I would like to go. Want to go next year when Boks play a test there.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
#33 Valkyrie:
Habana het by die see gaan aftree… what do you do when you retire? take it easy, dont get injured and still get picked for the boks, to play in the next work cup, plus make more money, for being a legend!
November 11th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
#30 Sharksgirl:
thanks
and i got the horses…
Alberts should do very well in this team!
November 11th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
#27 WakaNathan: Sorry Waka, Only saw your post now.
Yip, Carter does make a difference to the ABs and Saders and Jack will make a difference to Saders too. Yes with out McCaw for some of the games Saders never played well. The worst game was that 6/zip against Highlanders. Never seen Saders play that bad. They will be back next year with a bang. Blues looking good with those players.
Bulls still look the best at the moment. Only lost Habs but they will fill that space. Also Bulls have a great draw.
My team Sharks have lost Steyn and we need centres BAD. Also we have a terrible draw for next year. So can only hope and see how they do. Should have done better this year with the players they had but never. It goes like that I suppose. Just hope we can do better next year but not so sure with our draw going to be a uphill battle all the way.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
#28 groenie:
You have been witnessing the slow disintegration of Pienaar-Woods as a quality rugby player.
He’s a 9 squeezed in to 10.
Then, he was a 10 manhandled in to 15.
There has been talk of him being better suited to 12, God forbid.
And now looking at the Bok bench for France, it looks like he’s covering 9, 10, 11, 14 and 15.
Terrible place to be for a young player. You dont turn down a jersey, but…
November 11th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
#38 WakaNathan: My feelings entirely! Then he gets blamed for no BMT! Leave him at 9 I say!
November 11th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
#8 Predawn: All they can promise is to finish above last and most probably they will. I do not see them as a play-off spot contenders though even with Brussow. Somewhere in the lower middle with at least 10 points behind the 4th place in the end.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
# 5 Cheetah Champs – that should be the the Crusaders’ run on team ja except for Laulala who played his last game for Canterbury in the ANZC final.Crotty & Bateman will be the centres,Freuan on the bench…by the way,Freuan & Aaron Cruden are both remarkable youngsters,having recovered from life threatening illnesses.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
#35 groenie: can’t wait for the bulls clash and to see the look of despair on their(bull fans) faces when habana crosses the white-line time and time again!that’s gonna be priceless!
November 11th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
#38 WakaNathan: Amen, Well said Waka. Agree 100% there.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
#41 Rage: Have been tracking the careers of both Fruean and Cruden. I must be honest, i thought Fruean might end up with the Canes.
the scary thing is the depth. No wonder they could let go of Brett. The Saders was always built around a great pack. This year the pack was wet behind the ears, but the experience of guys like Whitelock (George), Reid, and Waldrom will tell in years to come.
I am most excited about Guilford on the wing. Maitland, Slade and Guilford will cause the defences some trouble.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
#34 Puma: Much better idea see you there
November 11th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
#44 Cheetha Champs:
Im very excited by Maitland. Last 2yrs have been wrecked by hammy/back problems. Returned to full fitness for NPC and has been big, strong, fast and motivated ! Look for a big S14 from him, and with Guildford on the other wing there will also be lots of competition in-house at the Crusaders.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
#43 Puma:
The problem appears to be that he’s TOO talented. Which means that he ends up being a Jack of All Trades but a Master of None. He’s a lovely flyhalf with ball in hand but then his inconsistent goalkicking tends to affect his confidence and he can be prone to errors. He’s most certainly not a FB, unfair to expect him to tactically excel there and he doesnt.
He still looks like a 9 playing 10, but you cant blame him for looking elsewhere with FdP entrenched at 9 (and the reason why Nick Evans left in DCs shadow, as have Brett and Slade and McIntyre at Canterbury).
And now with Hernandez surely guaranteed the 10 jersey at Natal, well it could be a make or break year for Pienaar-Woods. Thing is, he looks like an honourable sort of bloke albeit born with the rugby-silver spoon in his mouth.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
#42 Valkyrie:
zzzzzz and then you wake up!
Will be van den Heever doing the scoring! for the bulls!
he is faster than habana that is fact, they raced at training!
November 11th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
i am happy that brett decided to leave saders it was the best decision for him especially since he has always been in carters shadow
November 11th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
How good is that Blues backline going to me…oh no