NPR

All named this morning:

Crusaders 2021 squad

Hookers: Codie Taylor, Andrew Makalio, Brodie McAlister

Props: Joe Moody, Michael Alaalatoa, George Bower, Oliver Jager, Tamaiti Williams, Isi Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell

Locks: Scott Barrett (captain), Sam Whitelock, Mitchell Dunshea, Quinten Strange, Luke Romano

Loose forwards: Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Sione Havili, Tom Sanders

Halfbacks: Bryn Hall, Mitchell Drummond, Ere Enari

Inside backs: Richie Mo’unga, Brett Cameron, Fergus Burke

Midfielders: Jack Goodhue, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod

Outside backs: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, George Bridge, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Manasa Mataele, Chay Fihaki, Isaiah Punivai

Departed players: Fetuli Paea (Highlanders), Billy Harmon (Highlanders), Harry Allan (injured), Inga Finau, Ethan Roots

Blues 2021 squad:

Hookers: Ray Niuia (Tasman), James Parsons (North Harbour), Soane Vikena (Auckland).

Props: Alex Hodgman (Auckland), Nepo Laulala (Counties Manukau), James Lay (Auckland), Marcel Renata (Auckland), Karl Tu’inukuafe (North Harbour), Ofa Tuungafasi (Auckland).

Locks: Gerard Cowley-Tuioti (North Harbour), Sam Darry (Canterbury), Josh Goodhue (Northland), Jacob Pierce (North Harbour), Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland).

Loose forwards: Blake Gibson (Auckland), Dillon Hunt (North Harbour), Akira Ioane (Auckland), Dalton Papalii (Counties Manukau), Taine Plumtree (Wellington), Tom Robinson (Northland), Hoskins Sotutu (Auckland).

Halfbacks: Finlay Christie (Tasman), Sam Nock (Northland), Jonathan Ruru (Auckland).

Inside backs: Otere Black (Bay of Plenty), Stephen Perofeta (Taranaki), Harry Plummer (Auckland).

Midfield: TJ Faiane (Auckland), Rieko Ioane (Auckland), Tanielu Tele’a (Auckland).

Outside backs: Caleb Clarke (Auckland), AJ Lam (Auckland), Jone Macilai-Tori (Northland), Emoni Narawa (Bay of Plenty), Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Taranaki), Zarn Sullivan (Auckland), Mark Telea (Tasman).

Highlanders 2021 squad

Props: Daniel Lienert-Brown, Jeff Thwaites, Ayden Johnstone, Ethan De Groot, Jermaine Ainsley, Siate Tokolahi, Josh Hohneck

Hookers: Liam Coltman, Ash Dixon, Ricky Jackson

Locks: Pari Pari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Manaaki Selby-Rickit , Bryn Evans

Loose forwards: Shannon Frizell, Sione Misiloi, James Lentjes, Billy Harmon, Kazuki Himeno, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Teariki Ben- Nicholas, Liam Squire

Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, Kayne Hammington, Folau Fakatava

No 10s Josh Ioane, Mitchell Hunt

Midfielders: Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Patelesio Tomkinson, Michael Collins, Fetuli Paea, Scott Gregory

Outside backs: Jona Nareki, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Vilimoni Koroi, Solomon Alaimalo, Sam Gilbert, Connor Garden-Bachop, Ngatungane Punivai

Hurricanes 2021 squad

Props: Tevita Mafileo, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Alex Fidow, Fraser Armstrong.

Hookers: Dane Coles, Ricky Riccitelli, Asafo Aumua.

Locks: Isaia Walker-Leawere, Scott Scrafton, Kane Leaupepe, James Blackwell, Liam Mitchell.

Loose forwards: Ardie Savea, Brayden Iose, Devan Flanders, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Vaea Fifita, Reed Prinsep, Gareth Evans.

Halfbacks: Luke Campbell, Jamie Booth, Jonathan Taumateine.

First-fives: Simon Hickey, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Ruben Love.

Midfielders: Peter Umaga-Jensen, Ngani Laumape, Vince Aso, Billy Proctor, Danny Toala.

Outside backs: Wes Goosen, Jordie Barrett, Salesi Rayasi, Julian Savea, Lolagi Visinia, Pepesana Patafilo.

Chiefs 2021 squad:

Hookers: Nathan Harris, Bradley Slater, Samisoni Taukei’aho.

Props: Sione Mafileo, Atu Moli, Ollie Norris, Reuben O’Neill, Aidan Ross, Angus Ta’avao.

Locks: Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Josh Lord, Laghlan McWhannell, Tupou Vaa’i.

Loose forwards: Kaylum Boshier, Lachlan Boshier, Mitchell Brown, Sam Cane, Pita Gus Sowakula, Luke Jacobson, Mitchell Karpik, Simon Parker.

Halfbacks: Xavier Roe, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Brad Weber.

First five-eighths: Bryn Gatland, Rivez Reihana, Kaleb Trask.

Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Alex Nankivell, Bailyn Sullivan, Quinn Tupaea.

Outside backs: Jonah Lowe, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Shaun Stevenson, Chase Tiatia, Sean Wainui.

Missing:

Josh McKay

Tony Lamborn

Lincoln McClutchie

Still no Brodie - I thought he was only taking one season off. Damn!!!

And our 10s will be on a steep learning curve I feel. Gatland has returned home which is good.


However, I look at the Canes and I think there's a chance we may not hit the bottom rung next season.

Crusaders 2021 squad

Hookers: Codie Taylor, Andrew Makalio, Brodie McAlister

Props: Joe Moody, Michael Alaalatoa, George Bower, Oliver Jager, Tamaiti Williams, Isi Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell

Locks: Scott Barrett (captain), Sam Whitelock, Mitchell Dunshea, Quinten Strange, Luke Romano

Loose forwards: Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Sione Havili, Tom Sanders

Halfbacks: Bryn Hall, Mitchell Drummond, Ere Enari

Inside backs: Richie Mo’unga, Brett Cameron, Fergus Burke

Midfielders: Jack Goodhue, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod

Outside backs: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, George Bridge, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Manasa Mataele, Chay Fihaki, Isaiah Punivai

Very stable Crusaders squad. Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell come into the squad. I'm a big fan of Newell, I think he will be an All Black.

The only new back in Chay Fihaki who just adds to the Crusaders backline riches. He's an exciting young prospect.

Overall still not enough ball running quality in the pack for me, especially the backow. But we've won four titles in a row with the same style of pack, so I think it's safe to assume that Scott Robertson knows more than I do when it comes to selecting a squad.

You'd think Josh McKay's good enough for Supe rugby. Are there off-field issues holding him back?

And it's ridiculous that All Black-in-waiting Fakatava is stuck behind Smith for another year.

Hurricanes are gonna really struggle if Garden-Bachop's still at 10. They'll be praying Hickey steps up big time.

Gumboot wrote: Wed Dec 02, 2020 7:24 pm You'd think Josh McKay's good enough for Supe rugby. Are there off-field issues holding him back?

And it's ridiculous that All Black-in-waiting Fakatava is stuck behind Smith for another year.

Hurricanes are gonna really struggle if Garden-Bachop's still at 10. They'll be praying Hickey steps up big time.

Really need Hickey to step up and hope one of the 9s is ok until Booth gets back, geez someone missed the train not getting Fakatva a couple of years back. It a bit hard to be too confident being a Canes man looking at that lineup.
Geez Blues are building some depth, and Crusaders look pretty settled and will be good again.

Dan54 wrote: Wed Dec 02, 2020 7:37 pm

Gumboot wrote: Wed Dec 02, 2020 7:24 pm You'd think Josh McKay's good enough for Supe rugby. Are there off-field issues holding him back?

And it's ridiculous that All Black-in-waiting Fakatava is stuck behind Smith for another year.

Hurricanes are gonna really struggle if Garden-Bachop's still at 10. They'll be praying Hickey steps up big time.

Really need Hickey to step up and hope one of the 9s is ok until Booth gets back, geez someone missed the train not getting Fakatva a couple of years back. It a bit hard to be too confident being a Canes man looking at that lineup.
Geez Blues are building some depth, and Crusaders look pretty settled and will be good again.

The Blues have four current AB props in Ofa, Lauala, Hodgman and Tu'inukuafe. That's the best depth at prop that I have seen at SR level since the tournament began back in 1996.

Crusaders already having to rejig the backline with serious injuries. Ennor won't play till the trans tasman part of the competition in Mid May, and Bridge won't play till midway through the NZ comp in April. Mataele is injured till around April as well. Looks like they will run

Jordan
Fainga’anuku
Goodhue
Havili
Reece

JPNZ wrote: Wed Dec 02, 2020 8:18 pm Crusaders already having to rejig the backline with serious injuries. Ennor won't play till the trans tasman part of the competition in Mid May, and Bridge won't play till midway through the NZ comp in April. Mataele is injured till around April as well. Looks like they will run

Jordan
Fainga’anuku
Goodhue
Havili
Reece

No disrespect to Havili, but imho he's a much better fullback than 2nd 5.

Gumboot wrote: Wed Dec 02, 2020 8:39 pm
No disrespect to Havili, but imho he's a much better fullback than 2nd 5.

But he's a better 2nd 5 than Dallas Mcleod & Will Jordan

JPNZ wrote: Wed Dec 02, 2020 9:42 pm

Gumboot wrote: Wed Dec 02, 2020 8:39 pm
No disrespect to Havili, but imho he's a much better fullback than 2nd 5.

But he's a better 2nd 5 than Dallas Mcleod & Will Jordan

True, needs must.

Enzedder wrote: Wed Dec 02, 2020 6:58 pm Still no Brodie - I thought he was only taking one season off. Damn!!!

And our 10s will be on a steep learning curve I feel. Gatland has returned home which is good.


However, I look at the Canes and I think there's a chance we may not hit the bottom rung next season.

The Canes have twiddled their thumbs yet again while what talent they do have in their squad drifts off. They really are a clueless bunch who give mediocrity a bad name.

No Retallick? Thought he was back next year?

mrbrownstone wrote: Wed Dec 02, 2020 11:20 pm No Retallick? Thought he was back next year?

Nope, he never was. He was always going to miss 2 x SR seasons.

Highlanders recruitment is interesting. Is that Bryn Evans as in the former 2 test All Black? Between him, Liam Squire, and NMS it's certainly a blast from the past. Their loose forwards are once again stacked with Frizell, Squire, MMT, and the addition of Kazuki Himeno. They'll also have arguably the two best halfback in the country with TJP overseas. Hopefully Fakatava gets decent game time.

Crusaders look stable with 4 young players promoted from within. Locking stocks are ridiculous with 5 All Black quality players. Interesting to see what happens with Bridge, Ennor, and Mataele out. Does Havili or Faiinganuku move to the midfield?

Blues really have no excuses this year. Yes they've lost Barrett, but with 4 All Black props, the likes of Ioane, Sotutu, and Clarke coming off breakout All Black seasons, and the addition of players like Darry, Sullivan, Hunt, and Macilai it's an imposing squad which should be right in the mix. What happened to Kurt Eklund? Thought he looked decent.

Canes and Chiefs haven't done much notable tbh. Canes look very light in the halves, and signing Visinia and Savea won't solve that. Absolute journeyman central between Hickey and JGB.

Chiefs have recruited Lowe and Tiatia in the outside backs where they didn't really need it, but still look light at lock with no Retallick and first-five.

Really surprised that Josh McKay can't get a run anywhere, and Lincoln McClutchie looked a better first-five option than the likes of Hickey and Brett Cameron surely.

mrbrownstone wrote: Wed Dec 02, 2020 11:20 pm No Retallick? Thought he was back next year?

He is - (hence my confusion) but it's after the SR season (May 2021 his contract with NZR resumes)

The Auckland newbies include Blues development player of the year Soane Vikena, with the NZ Under-20 hooker signed for four years. He was injured in the Mitre-10 Cup which means that 2020 Blues hooker Kurt Eklund returns as injury cover. Eklund (Bay of Plenty) has signed fulltime for the Blues from 2022 for two years.

Seems a bit odd given he was their first choice by the end of this season.

Potential Blues pack:

1. Hodgman
2. Parsons
3. Laulala
4. Tuipolotu
5. Goodhue
6. Ioane
7. Papalii
8. Sotutu

16. Eklund
17. Tuinukuafe
18. Tu'ungafaasi
19 Cowley-Tuioti
20. Hunt

One lock off an all All Black pack, with 3 more on the bench. Talk about Rolls Royce.

Yes. The Blues have no excuses from here on in. The luxury of someone of Dillon Hunt’s caliber coming off the bench is incredible.

mrbrownstone wrote: Thu Dec 03, 2020 4:36 am Potential Blues pack:

1. Hodgman
2. Parsons
3. Laulala
4. Tuipolotu
5. Goodhue
6. Ioane
7. Papalii
8. Sotutu

16. Eklund
17. Tuinukuafe
18. Tu'ungafaasi
19 Cowley-Tuioti
20. Hunt

One lock off an all All Black pack, with 3 more on the bench. Talk about Rolls Royce.

Hoping this is the year parsons get surpassed and left on the bench for 78min

Unlucky to miss out on a SR XV

15. Fletcher Smith
14. Josh McKay
13. Rameka Poihipi,
12. Tei Walden
11. Kini Naholo
10. Lincoln McClutchie
9. ???

8. Nasi Manu
7. Tony Lamborn
6. Liam Messam
5. Adam Thomson
4. Ethan Roots
3. Josh Iosefa-Scott
2. Kurt Eklund
1. Nic Mayhew

I'd missed this.

I didn't miss much.

It's the Canes year this year. Again.

Carter's Choice wrote: Thu Dec 03, 2020 12:35 pm Unlucky to miss out on a SR XV

15. Fletcher Smith
14. Josh McKay
13. Rameka Poihipi,
12. Tei Walden
11. Kini Naholo
10. Lincoln McClutchie
9. ???

8. Nasi Manu
7. Tony Lamborn
6. Liam Messam
5. Adam Thomson
4. Ethan Roots
3. Josh Iosefa-Scott
2. Kurt Eklund
1. Nic Mayhew

Perhaps the other young 9 from Waikato was a bit unlucky, think his name something like Cortez somebody? He looked ok to me, and like Roe just a young un. I find it bloody incredible that Josh McKay and Tony Lamborn haven't got contracts, we either got an awful lot of depth or letting players slip through gaps.

Richie Mo’unga, Brett Cameron, Fergus Burke, Bryn Gatland, Rivez Reihana, Kaleb Trask, Josh Ioane, Mitchell Hunt, Simon Hickey, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Ruben Love, Otere Black, Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer

It's really not a vintage crop of 10s, is it? Lot of journeymen in that lot.

Who's the next big talent coming through? Burke and Reihana were our U20s 10s last year and showed flashes in the Mitre 10 Cup. Trask looked good at fullback but will be interesting to see if he gets a shot at 10 for the Chiefs. There's whispers Zarn Sullivan might go alright at 10? Makes it even more surprising to me that McClutchie and McKay couldn't get contracts.

Hopefully someone steps up, because our depth really isn't spectacular right now.

It's worrying that out current depth chart at 10 includes the likes of Cameron, Garden-Bachop, Gatland, Hickey, and Plummer, and that our alleged second best 10 played all of 3 games there this year.

Carter's Choice wrote: Thu Dec 03, 2020 12:35 pm Unlucky to miss out on a SR XV

15. Fletcher Smith
14. Josh McKay
13. Rameka Poihipi,
12. Tei Walden
11. Kini Naholo
10. Lincoln McClutchie
9. ???

8. Nasi Manu
7. Tony Lamborn
6. Liam Messam
5. Adam Thomson
4. Ethan Roots
3. Josh Iosefa-Scott
2. Kurt Eklund
1. Nic Mayhew

James little was gold for Harbour Kiris kuridrani for Counties ..the 2 sevens player Naqari Black and Brayden Waaka were good too..

6 players of Fijian descent in the Blues, thats the biggest ever by a soup team..even the crusaders barely had 4 once..i remember when Kirwan became coach, he started getting rid of all fijians and then the blues became shit.

mrbrownstone wrote: Thu Dec 03, 2020 11:25 pm Richie Mo’unga, Brett Cameron, Fergus Burke, Bryn Gatland, Rivez Reihana, Kaleb Trask, Josh Ioane, Mitchell Hunt, Simon Hickey, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Ruben Love, Otere Black, Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer

It's really not a vintage crop of 10s, is it? Lot of journeymen in that lot.

Who's the next big talent coming through? Burke and Reihana were our U20s 10s last year and showed flashes in the Mitre 10 Cup. Trask looked good at fullback but will be interesting to see if he gets a shot at 10 for the Chiefs. There's whispers Zarn Sullivan might go alright at 10? Makes it even more surprising to me that McClutchie and McKay couldn't get contracts.

Hopefully someone steps up, because our depth really isn't spectacular right now.

It's worrying that out current depth chart at 10 includes the likes of Cameron, Garden-Bachop, Gatland, Hickey, and Plummer, and that our alleged second best 10 played all of 3 games there this year.

What do you think of young Sullivan from Auckland? Only seen him at 15, but seems he a 10, he looks a fairly handy kid of he can get a few years under belt.

Enzedder wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 4:45 am Here's Wagner. It's quite muggy so he could get it to swing in this,

But ... he'll bounce them

I didn't realise Wagner played rugby to this level.

Enzedder wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 6:55 am The Windies openers played out our guys very well. I thought the bowling was quite good but we just couldn't get a breakthrough.

When did the Windies get a team in Super Rugby?

Kiwias wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 7:34 am

Enzedder wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 6:55 am The Windies openers played out our guys very well. I thought the bowling was quite good but we just couldn't get a breakthrough.

When did the Windies get a team in Super Rugby?

old fart posted in the wrong thread... i think the end is near... lets all pray....

stemoc wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 9:19 am

Kiwias wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 7:34 am

Enzedder wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 6:55 am The Windies openers played out our guys very well. I thought the bowling was quite good but we just couldn't get a breakthrough.

When did the Windies get a team in Super Rugby?

old fart posted in the wrong thread... i think the end is near... lets all pray....

Probably just a mild case of sunlight poisoning. He should be fine in the morning.

I think Fakatava will get a lot of game time with the Clan, as they have greater depth and resources across the park this year, allowing Smith to stay fresh.

Really surprised with Lambourn missing out, to Misiloi (WTF). Southland's season really has been ignored hasn't it? No McKee, Alaimalo, James, Nuu, Moorby even given a squeak.

Never rated Connor Garden-Bachop, and honestly, what do they see in Gregory? His outing against Auckland was just the worst of a catalog of failures.

Who is the rumored overseas star the overstocked greedy self-serving Blues are bringing in?

It should be a Crusaders cakewalk 5 peat next year, Blues look a close second but without BB they are weaker. Chiefs will be shit again, Hurricanes still can't find key people in vital areas like 9/10 and 1,3,4,5 leaving them fighting with the Highlanders on who will finish 2nd to last. (Chiefs being last of course)

I see no reason the Clan shouldn't be much improved with Brown at the helm and some astute recruitment.

1. DLB
2. Dixon
3. Tokolahi
4. Parkinson
5. Dickson
6. Frizell/Squire
7. Lentjies
8. Himeno/MMT
9. Smith
10. Ioane
11. Nareki
12. Tompkinson
13. Paea
14. NMS/Koroi/Punivai
15. Alaimalo

16. Coltman
17. Hohneck
18. Ainsley
19. Selby-Rickett
20. MMT/Himeno
21. Fakatava
22. Hunt
23. Collins

That's a strong side with an experienced front row, some of the best young locks in the country, more talent than they know what to do with in the loose forwards, an international halves pair, exciting outside backs, and the likes of Hunt, Fakatava, Coltman, Selby-Rickett, and whichever of their world-class loose forwards they can't start to inject off the bench.

I also think the Highlanders will be a much improved outfit under Brown.

The only thing I don't like is Fakatava at 21 - he'd be a nailed-on 9 at any other franchise in the country, imho.

What happened to Jack Whetton? I thought he did pretty well this year.

Oops - I wondered where those posts were on the cricket thread?

Another one missing who I thought was good last night was Caleb Trask. He can't be far away.

Enzedder wrote: Sun Dec 06, 2020 5:14 am Oops - I wondered where those posts were on the cricket thread?

Another one missing who I thought was good last night was Caleb Trask. He can't be far away.

Trask is in the Chiefs squad as a first five. I thought he was good last night at 15.

Has Rob Thompson left? Not in the Highlanders' squad, Crusaders looking for a 2nd5 ... perfect choice.

Only news I saw was ODT saying he "may" be off to Japan.